Breaking: NHL team releases star rookie for upcoming World Junior Championships

The Montreal Canadiens have officially released rookie defenseman Victor Mete to Team Canada for the upcoming World Junior Championships in Buffalo, NY.

Technically Mete will join the team’s Selection Camp roster and will have to earn a spot over the competition, but it’s expected that the 19-year-old will make the roster quite handily. 

"We've made the decision to allow Victor Mete to join Team Canada's Selection Camp to give him an opportunity to participate in a very beneficial experience for his development. The World Junior Hockey Championship is a very elite and very competitive tournament, and this can be a very rewarding opportunity for a young player," said Canadiens general manager, Marc Bergevin earlier today.

The surprise training camp addition to the Habs’ roster has played 27 games in his rookie season, collecting four assists and a plus-5 goal differential not he season. Mete was a fourth round pick (100th overall) of the Habs in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.