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Canadiens Draft Defenceman Cleaves 93rd Overall
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- Canadiens Draft Defenceman Cleaves 93rd Overall
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Montreal Canadiens have made another choice at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, selecting Cooper Cleaves with the 93rd overall pick.
Cleaves, 20, is a 6'3″ defenceman who shoots right, the most sought after position in the NHL. At 205 lb, he also fits the ideal size the Canadiens hope achieve in the relatively near future.
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You could argue this pick was 'off the board', as Cleaves is an overager, and was ignored in previous drafts.
The Riverside native split his time between two leagues in 2024-25, scoring two goals and 13 assists with the Vernon Vipers (BCHL), as well as two goals and nine assists in 38 games for the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL).
He would go on to score four goals and six assists in 30 games for Dartmouth College (NCAA) last season.
He's a straightforward blueliner who doesn't possess an abundance of flash in his game, preferring to play a more controlled, simplified brand of defence.
The Habs opted to trade a pair of first-round picks in exchange for Noah Dobson in 2025, which means they did not add a significant amount of draft capital to the mix, at least compared to most years under Hughes' regime.
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Seeing as they could not swing a deal for a player who can make an immediate impact in the NHL, the Canadiens opted to use their first round pick, selecting Gleb Pugachyov. They also moved up in the draft to ensure they could select Pugachyov with the 26th overall pick.
You can click here to view the complete draft list via the NHL.
The Montreal Canadiens owned eight draft picks heading into the 2026 NHL Entry Draft:
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1st Round – 26th overall – Gleb Pugachyov
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2nd Round – 61st overall – Timofei Runtso
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3rd Round – 93rd overall
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4th Round – 103rd overall (from Winnipeg Jets , via New Jersey Devils ), 125th overall
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6th Round – 189th overall
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7th Round – 221st overall, 224th overall (from Carolina Hurricanes )
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