Canadiens assign Harvey-Pinard to AHL Laval on long-term injury conditioning loan

Rafael Harvey-Pinard is heading to the minors to try to continue his climb back to the NHL.

The Montreal Canadiens assigned the forward the AHL’s Laval Rocket on a long-term injury conditioning loan, the NHL club announced Tuesday.

Harvey-Pinard underwent surgery for a broken leg in July. The club said at the time he would be out of action until late November.

Selected 201st overall at the 2019 NHL Draft, Harvey-Pinard, 25, was limited to 45 games last season due to separate lower-body injuries, registering two goals and 10 points.

The Saguenay, Que., product has put up 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points in 83 career contests with Montreal across parts of three seasons.

— with files from CP.