The Montreal Canadiens have given two rookies a chance to start the season in the National Hockey League.
On Friday, the club set their 23-man-roster that included 20-year-old right winger Brendan Gallagher and 18-year-old Alex Galchenyuk.
Galchenyuk can play up to five NHL games this season and still be sent back to junior without using up a year on his entry-level contract.
In 36 games with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs this season, Gallagher has scored 10 goals and 10 assists.
Last season, the B.C. native scored 41 goals in 54 games with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL.
Galchenyuk was selected third overall in the 2012 NHL Draft, and was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the World Junior Hockey Championship earlier in the month.
He is currently the fifth leading scorer in the Ontario Hockey League, notching 27 goals and 34 assists in only 33 games with the Sarnia Sting.
Head coach Michel Therrien said that Galchenyuk will start Saturday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on the second line.
Among the players the Canadiens sent down to get their roster to the limit were prospects Louis Leblanc and Jarred Tinordi as well as veteran defenceman Mike Commodore.
