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Canadiens Sign College Star Dillan Bentley to 2-Year Deal
The 24-year-old forward joins the Canadiens' AHL affiliate Laval Rocket after a standout career at UMass-Lowell.
Mar. 15, 2026 at 2:35pm
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The Montreal Canadiens have signed college hockey standout Dillan Bentley to a two-year AHL contract with their affiliate team, the Laval Rocket. Bentley, a 24-year-old forward, played four seasons at UMass-Lowell, where he served as an alternate captain this past season and recorded 25 points in 33 games.
Why it matters
The Canadiens have a history of signing undrafted college free agents, with Lucas Condotta from UMass-Lowell serving as the captain of their AHL team. Bentley represents another talented player the Canadiens are bringing into their system, hoping to uncover a hidden gem who can potentially contribute at the NHL level down the line.
The details
Bentley's two-year deal with the Laval Rocket is a one-way contract, meaning he will be paid the same salary whether he plays in the AHL or the NHL. The first year of the deal will be on a tryout basis, allowing the Canadiens to get a good look at Bentley before the full two-year term kicks in.
- Bentley signed his contract with the Canadiens on March 15, 2026.
- He will play out the 2025-26 season on a tryout contract with the Laval Rocket.
The players
Dillan Bentley
A 24-year-old forward who recently completed a standout college hockey career at UMass-Lowell, where he served as an alternate captain and recorded 25 points in 33 games during the 2025-26 season.
Lucas Condotta
A former UMass-Lowell player who the Canadiens previously signed as an undrafted free agent and is now the captain of their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.
What’s next
Bentley will play out the 2025-26 season on a tryout contract with the Laval Rocket before the full two-year deal kicks in.
The takeaway
The Canadiens' signing of Dillan Bentley continues the team's strategy of identifying and developing talented undrafted college free agents, a path that has previously yielded success with players like Lucas Condotta. Bentley will now have the opportunity to prove himself at the professional level and potentially earn an NHL contract with the Canadiens down the line.
