The Montreal Canadiens have inked forward Tyler Thorpe to a three-year entry-level deal, the team announced Tuesday. The NHL contract will take effect starting in the 2025-26 season. In the meantime, Thorpe has also agreed to a professional tryout contract (PTO) with the Laval Rocket, allowing him to join the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate for the rest of the 2024-25 season.
Tyler Thorpe was taken by the Canadiens in the fifth round (130th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. In his first season following the draft, the 6-foot-5, 210-pound right winger tallied 52 points over 68 games with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. He also contributed a goal and two assists in five playoff appearances before the Giants were eliminated by the Spokane Chiefs. Thorpe wraps up his WHL career with 102 points across 167 games.
His path mirrors that of Florian Xhekaj, who signed an amateur tryout contract (ATO) with the Laval Rocket in 2024 following the end of his CHL season. Xhekaj appeared in three regular season games for Laval that year, a team that missed the playoffs.
Thorpe joins the Laval Rocket with five games remaining in the regular season, fresh off a western road trip. With a few days before the team’s next game — a Friday matchup against the Rochester Americans — he’ll have some time to settle in and adjust to his new surroundings. Thorpe is also eligible to suit up for Laval in the AHL playoffs.
In addition to Thorpe’s arrival, the Rocket announced the signing of forward Joseph Dunlap to a one-way AHL contract for the 2025-26 season. The 25-year-old from Windham, New Hampshire, recently wrapped up a season with Ohio State University, where he posted 22 points in 39 games. Dunlap, who stands 6-foot and weighs 185 pounds, will also join the Rocket on a professional tryout for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
