Montreal Canadiens acquire forward Jakov Novak from Ottawa Senators
The Montreal Canadiens have acquired the rights to forward Jakov Novak from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for future considerations, CapFriendly reported Wednesday.
Novak, 24, split the 2022–23 season between Northeastern University and the ECHL’s Allen Americans. The 6’3″ winger collected eight goals and 12 points in 35 games as an alternate captain at Northeastern.
After turning pro, Novak racked up seven goals and 12 points in 14 games with the Americans to close out the 2022–23 regular season. He added one assist in six playoff games with the team.
Novak signed a one-year AHL contract with the Laval Rocket, Montreal’s affiliate, back in July. The Canadiens now also control Novak’s NHL rights.
TRADE
To Montreal Canadiens
-Jakov Novak
To Ottawa Senators:
-Future Considerationshttps://t.co/STUOqXcJNc
The Senators originally selected Novak in the seventh round (No. 188 overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. The Riverside, Ontario product debuted at Bentley University in 2018–19 and spent three full seasons there before transferring to Northeastern in 2021.
In two seasons at Northeastern, Novak collected 16 goals and 29 points in 74 games. According to CapFriendly, Novak will remain on the Canadiens’ reserve list until he signs an entry-level contract with the club.
For now, Novak will remain with the Rocket as they try to improve upon their 33–29–7–3 record from the 2022–23 season. The Utica Comets swept the Rocket in the first round of the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs.