Key Takeaways
- Logan Mailloux was traded to the St. Louis Blues earlier this month from the Montreal Canadiens.
- The youngster sat down with RG and discussed the move and his development from the junior to pro level.
- Mailloux also praised the Habs organization and spoke on embracing Quebec culture.
Mailloux in action (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Logan Mailloux’s development path has never followed the traditional playbook. From early injury setbacks to adjusting to the professional game, the young defenseman had to take a different route compared to many of his peers. Reflecting on his time in junior and how that shaped his early pro years, Mailloux was honest about the challenges he faced in finding his rhythm.
“It was obviously a little different for me not playing a lot of hockey in junior. Over those years I had injuries and didn’t play that much hockey coming into my first year of pro,” explained Mailloux in an exclusive interview with RG. “Over the two years I was in Laval, I didn’t miss a game and got a few games with Montreal.”
With a steady schedule in Laval, Mailloux was finally able to build consistency in his habits and gain traction in his game. That wouldn’t have been possible without the infrastructure the Canadiens put in place to help their young talent succeed. He credits Montreal’s development staff for their regular presence and willingness to invest in his long-term growth.
“They do a great job having the developmental staff come into Laval as well and work with us and watching games and stuff,” Mailloux said when asked about the support system in place. “And I think getting those reps in was big for me.”
Even with all that guidance, Mailloux quickly learned there’s a steep curve when transitioning from the AHL to the NHL. One of the biggest lessons came in understanding just how important it is to be dialed in every shift — no matter the score, situation, or opponent.
“I think consistency is huge. I feel like in the AHL once in a while, if you take a shift off, people won’t notice as much,” he admitted, drawing from his stint with the Canadiens. “That’s the biggest difference in the NHL, every time you’re on the ice (consistency) is so big and important.”
At the NHL level, even small lapses can turn into momentum-shifting mistakes. Mailloux emphasized how critical decision-making and positioning become when every move is magnified.
“The margin for mistakes is small. In the NHL, all the little things that happen.. If you’re not where you’re supposed to be on the ice, guys are so good up there that it can quickly end up in the back of your net and change the whole game.
“Obviously mistakes are going to happen, hockey’s a game of mistakes, but just being able to limit them and weigh the chance of making a play and weighing the risk is a big difference.”
Over time, Mailloux matured not just in skill, but in how he approached his role on the ice. While his first pro season showed flashes of offensive upside, it was his second year where things truly began to come together.
“In my first year, I feel like I put up some points, but , when I go back and watch my games it wasn’t as well-rounded. At the end of this season and into the playoffs I feel like I was playing the best pro hockey of my career. I think being able to contribute at both sides of the puck was key,” explained Mailloux. “I think I was too focused on contributing offensively in my first year; it worked out some times and sometimes it didn’t. But in my second year, everyone had to play their role and I played a different style and it helped out in the long-run, with the season we had and the playoff run we went on.”
Experiencing The Trade to St. Louis
No matter how prepared a player might be, finding out they’ve been traded is always a shock — especially when it comes out of nowhere. For Mailloux, it began like any normal off-season day: workout, downtime, and a visit with friends. But everything changed with a single call.
“It was just a regular day. I did my work out and went to see a couple of my buddies. When I was there, I got a call from my agent saying I was going to get traded today. He didn’t know to which team, but he said it was going to happen,” explained Mailloux.
RG Media has since confirmed that there were multiple teams with interest in acquiring Logan Mailloux leading up to his trade to the Blues, but that St-Louis’ offer was the most intriguing.
With no control over the situation, Mailloux had to stay grounded and wait. He got some food with friends, and soon after, heard directly from the Canadiens’ front office.
“There’s not much you can do when you get information like that. So, we went out to get a bite to eat and, as we’re sitting down, Kent called me and let me know that I was getting traded to St-Louis,” he continued.
What followed was a whirlwind of texts, calls, and welcome messages. Both the Blues and Canadiens made sure the transition was smooth.
“It all sprung off from there. Doug Armstrong called me and then everyone from St-Louis and a bunch of people from Montreal reached out,” added Mailloux. “I’m pumped to be a part of St-Louis and they have something good going there to, similar to Montreal. I have to go in there and earn every opportunity, but being a shot to play (in the NHL) will be a big step for me.”
Preparing For St. Louis
Now with a fresh opportunity ahead of him, Mailloux is fully focused on making an impression at training camp. Despite the high praise he’s already received from GM Doug Armstrong and head coach, and Montreal- native, Jim Montgomery, he knows nothing is guaranteed in the NHL — and that’s just how he wants it.
“It’s nice to hear for sure, but at the end of the day, it’s the NHL and I haven’t played a full season yet. I think my focus is going in there and earning a spot on the team,” said Mailloux. “I’m not focused about the years down the line, I want to get in there, have a good camp and earn the trust of the coaching staff.”
One of the biggest areas of his game that he’s looking to build on is his physical presence. He believes it’s what makes him most effective — and it just so happens to align with the identity St. Louis fans love.
“I feel like I play my best when I’m hard to play against, and it helps me get into the game more. I need to bring that even more,” explained Mailloux. “In St-Louis, they’ve had some defencemen play that way in (Alex) Pietrangelo and, if you go way back, (Chris) Pronger and those guys. The fans love seeing that, they love a guy who’s going to be tough to play against and plays with pride. That’s something I think I’ll be able to bring.”
The Blues’ locker room is filled with proven leaders and exciting talent, and Mailloux has already felt that welcoming energy. A few players reached out immediately after the trade to make him feel at home.
“I talked to a few guys. I know (Jordan) Kyrou a little bit., Brayden Schenn gave me a call the day of the trade and we had a good chat on the phone. It was very welcoming to help me go in there and put me in a good spot,” said Mailloux. “I look forward to getting there and meeting more of the guys.”
Asked who he’s most excited to play with, Mailloux rattled off a list of names that blends experience, skill, and toughness — a group he’s eager to join and learn from.
Friendships in Montreal
Before turning the page to St. Louis, Mailloux took time to reflect on everything he gained during his years in Montreal and Laval. From close friendships to cultural experiences, the time shaped him in ways that extended far beyond the rink.
Mailloux was leaned on to be a sort of young leader in the room for a very young Laval Rocket roster, and one player that he had nothing but praise for was 20-year-old David Reinbacher.
“His game is great; especially for the amount of hockey he’s missed in the last couple of years,” said Mailloux, referencing his former teammate’s growth. “I think, when he got in, with both sides of the puck, he’s so good. He’s so good defensively, not too many guys can squeeze by him on the wall or get by him at all. He got more and more comfortable and he was a key player for us. He’s going to be a heck of a player.”
One of the most important relationships Mailloux built was with Rob Ramage. Their connection began long before he ever wore a Canadiens jersey, and it helped ground him during times of uncertainty.
“He was huge for me. It started before when I was in London. He reached out before I was even drafted by Montreal because he knows Mark and Dale (Hunter) having coached there,” explained Mailloux. “I spoke with him before even being drafted, so over five years ago and we just built a relationship from there.”
What followed was a mentorship built on honesty, life experience, and mutual respect.
“We’ve had some good conversations and some hard conversations, but he’s always honest with me and I appreciated that a lot,” continued Mailloux. “He’s been through it himself and had some hardships to go through and you look at him now and he’s a stand up citizen. It’s definitely a friendship that we have for life.”
Along with mentorship, Mailloux also found joy in the daily routines and bonds forged on long bus rides and between games.
“In Laval, we had some characters off the ice. We’ve had a tight-knit group and a lot of guys in the same age group. We had a lot of good laughs on those bus trips, that’s definitely something that will stand out. I have a lot of buddies there that I wish nothing but the best.”
Perhaps his proudest moment came in watching a close friend get his shot on NHL ice, capping off a journey they both started together in Laval.
“(Jakub) Dobes is one of my really good buddies. And him drawing in to Game 4. We were out to dinner the night before and then the next day he’s coming in from (Samuel) Montembeault and it was unreal,” said Mailloux. “It was unreal if you think about it. From how we started a year and a half ago, both playing some really bad hockey at the start of our pro careers in Laval to him playing in the playoffs at the Bell Centre. We look back on that and it’s pretty cool!”
La Fin Du Show
Mailloux also made a concerted effort to immerse himself in Quebec culture, both in the locker room and in his day-to-day life in Laval. Coming from Ontario, French hadn’t been a major part of his life since school, but once surrounded by bilingual teammates and fans, he embraced the challenge.
He understood that speaking French wasn’t just about communication — it was about showing respect for the people and place he was representing. Whether it was answering questions during media scrums or chatting with teammates off the ice, Mailloux wanted to make the effort.
“I definitely tried in French. I hadn’t spoken it in a while before I got there, but being with the guys I picked it up a lot more in Laval,” said Mailloux. “I’m a lot better speaking off camera and the lights aren’t in your face (laughs), and have a normal conversation with people.”
Beyond the language, Mailloux also began connecting with the cultural heartbeat of Quebec through music. Shared playlists, long bus rides, and time spent with his teammates introduced him to local francophone bands that quickly became a part of his routine. It wasn’t long before he was not just listening — he was genuinely enjoying it.
“It was great to be able to see how fans express themselves and embrace that aspect of the culture, I think it’s something that everyone in Quebec is very proud about. I had some good times listening to francophone music with some of the guys,” explained Mailloux. “I listen to the Cowboys Fringants, of course! I’m a big fan of that and still listen to some songs here and there.”
The music became more than just background noise — it was a bridge. A way to connect, understand, and embrace a province that had supported his growth both professionally and personally.
From learning to speak the language to singing along to local tunes, Mailloux’s time in Laval gave him a deeper appreciation for Quebec’s rich identity — something he now carries with him into the next chapter of his career.
