Canadiens sign defenceman Luke Mittelstadt to two-year, entry-level contract

By Canadian Press on March 13, 2026.

BROSSARD — The Montreal Canadiens have signed defenceman Luke Mittelstadt to a two-year, entry-level contract, the NHL club announced Friday.

Mittelstadt also signed a one-year, one-way American Hockey League contract and will join the Canadiens’ affiliate, the Laval Rocket, for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

The 23-year-old had 21 points (two goals, 19 assists) in 36 games for the University of Minnesota Gophers in the NCAA this season.

His goals, assists and points led all Gophers defencemen, in addition to being career highs.

Mittelstadt, one of three players to serve as team captain this season, concluded his NCAA career with 80 points (11 goals, 69 assists) in 152 games with the Gophers.

The Eden Prairie, Minn., native selected by Montreal in the seventh round (197th overall) of the 2023 NHL draft.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 13, 2026.

The Canadian Press