Austrian standout David Reinbacher has made a dream start to his National Hockey League career, recording an assist in his highly anticipated debut for the Montreal Canadiens.
The young defenseman, who was selected fifth overall in the 2023 NHL entry draft, lived up to the hype in his first appearance with the club. Reinbacher’s immediate impact on the ice provides a spark for the Canadiens as they integrate the high-profile prospect into their defensive rotation.
Reinbacher holds a significant place in hockey history, sharing the title of the highest-drafted Austrian player in NHL history with Thomas Vanek, who was similarly taken fifth overall in 2003. Born on October 25, 2004, the 21-year-old brings a strong physical presence to the blueline, standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 209 pounds.
Before arriving in Montreal, Reinbacher developed his skills in Switzerland. He rose through the ranks with EHC Rheintal and EHC Bülach before joining EHC Kloten. His professional ascent began during the 2021–22 season in the Swiss League, where he recorded one goal and 10 assists across 27 regular-season games and helped Kloten secure promotion to the National League.
During the 2022–23 season, Reinbacher became a fixture on the Kloten defense, seeing his average ice time jump from six minutes to over 20 minutes per game. His performance earned him the league’s award for the best young player of the year after tallying three goals and 19 assists in 46 regular-season appearances.
While his debut was a triumphant milestone, recent reports indicate a setback for the defenseman. According to ESPN, Reinbacher is currently sidelined with a knee injury and is expected to be out for five to six months.
