Energy and enthusiasm

MONTREAL – There’s no denying the excitement that comes with the start of the Canadiens’ rookie camp every September.

It’s a good indication that the summer is officially over and it’s time for the organization’s young guns to get back to the business of showcasing the progress they’ve made since development camp wrapped up in early July.

Twenty-seven players will be strutting their stuff between Thursday and September 21st in hopes of making a significant impression on the Habs’ brass leading into main camp at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard.

For a second straight year, rookie camp will get off to a relatively quick start as players travel to London, ON on Thursday afternoon to participate in the 2016 Rookie Tournament at Budweiser Gardens. They’ll be playing three games in three days beginning on Friday, going up against fellow young guns from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

For 20-year-old right-winger Nikita Scherbak, there’s really no better way to get back in the swing of things after spending the last two-plus months working out on the South Shore in preparation for his second full season in the pros.

“I can’t wait. It’s going to be exciting to see all of the young guys around and play in that tournament again – Big Mac [Michael McCarron], [Markus] Eisenschmid, [Jeremy] Gregoire, Fuchs [Zachary Fucale], and it will good to see the guys who just got drafted, too. It’s a good arena in London. It’s a good crowd with good matchups. I think it’s going to be awesome,” said Scherbak, who is embarking on his third rookie camp experience since being drafted 26th overall in 2014.

“Honestly, I just think I …

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