Key Takeaways
- The Montreal Canadiens selected Carlos Handel in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft this summer.
- The German-born defenceman sat down with RG and discussed his goals for the upcoming seasons in the QMJHL, the draft process, and the World Juniors, among other topics.
- Handel admitted he was “surprised” the Habs drafted him after forgetting to speak with the youngster at the combine.
Carlos Handel playing for Halifax (Photo courtesy of @HFXMooseheads on X)
Carlos Handel became one of four German-born players selected in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, the most since the 2010 entry draft. The Montreal Canadiens prospect is preparing for his sophomore season in the QMJHL and is poised to be a leader on an up-and-coming Halifax Mooseheads squad.
The Move to North America
Any player moving from Europe to North America will have growing pains as they adjust to smaller ice surfaces and different styles of play. But also cultural, linguistic differences, not to mention the long-distance travel. This was something that Handel was not only aware of but also relished the challenge.
– How were you sold on coming over to the Q last year?
– I talked with Halifax a year and a half before the import draft, when we had a tournament in Germany, two-nations under-17 tournament, and Cam was watching there, and he talked to my agent at that time, and then we just talked after the game. He said that they were going to follow me over the years. And then it was like the decision, either I stay in Sweden and play pro and under 20, or go to Germany, play pro there, or go over (QMJHL).
I had friends who are older, and they played OHL and WHL, and they both said I should do it because you can't play in the CHL when you're 25, so it's only one chance, not everyone can do that. Then I said I'm going to do that. And Halifax is one of the best organizations, so that's why I came over here.
– What was it like making that jump from Malmö to here?
– It wasn't that hard, like, of course, the rink, the hockey on the ice is a little bit different, it's faster, it's better, like harder forecheck and stuff. And the lifestyle, I know how to live by myself, and then in Sweden, I lived alone in an apartment, then after half a year with a friend, a teammate. But here you have your village, they care about you, they cook, they do everything for you, so that's even better, I would say.
Life in QMJHL
The QMJHL covers a vast area, from Halifax to Gatineau to St-John's. There is a lot of travel by bus and aircraft that can be a grind similar to the one the professionals face. Yet it is a stepping stone to those professional leagues, and it isn’t lost on Handel, who seems excited at the thought of this upcoming season and the challenges he will face as an individual, but most of all as a member of the Halifax Mooseheads.
– What was the most difficult aspect of the adjustment to the North American-sized rinks?
– I would say the forecheck comes way harder; in Sweden, you have two extra seconds, I would say, or in general in Europe. Like the other game is not much different. I would say the Q (WMJHL) is more of a forechecking league, compared to the OHL and WHL when you look at the Memorial Cup, but that was the biggest thing, I would say.
– With the focus on your development, does Halifax set it up to be done as a team, or is it individualized?
– It's both. Of course, we have a goal as a team, and that's improving over this year and then the next couple of years. We want to win the Memorial Cup one day, and that's, I think, the goal from every rebuild. I would say, individually, the guys who want to make the team this year they want to make the team and the guys who played a lot last year want to get an even bigger role and improve themselves. Everyone has their own goals, and I think together that's where we need to work on and grow
– For you, is there a specific aspect of your game that you want to grow?
World Juniors
Handel was the captain for Team Germany at the IIHF U18 World Championship in the spring and was named one of Germany’s three stars at the 2024 World Junior Championships. He also set a record at the U18 tournament for the fastest two goals scored by a single player. Going into 2025-26, he is poised to play a key role for Germany, who have several returning players and will be an interesting team to follow at the 2026 World Juniors.
– With the World Juniors, what is the focus for you this year?
– We have a goal with Germany, of course, we have many returning players, me and other guys who got drafted, so of course, our goal is to stay in the top division, and then we see what happens from there. We have a group with Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, and the USA. I think, and we played Slovakia twice in the summer now, we won one game and lost one in overtime, so we'll see what happens then.
– Germany has been developing into one of hockey’s top-tier international programs. What is the grassroots training regimen like for the youngsters coming up?
– I would say many guys go over now (to the CHL). We have way more in the CHL now in my age, in the 2006-born. So, I think that helps the national team. Because it's different hockey here than in Europe, and if you want to become the best, you need to play against the best, that's my mindset.
The Draft With The Canadiens
The German-born, six-foot-one, right-handed defenceman had a strong rookie season in the QMJHL, finishing second on the team in defensive scoring with 26 points in 52 games, and was named to the Rookie All-Star Team. Despite being a sixth-round pick, he does have the skill to project to becoming an NHL-capable defender. It’s not just his skill and work ethic. Handel has the mental fortitude needed to play in a market like Montreal.
– You were ranked a lot higher than you went in the draft. How is that going to motivate you, or do you even care?
– I cared a little bit at the draft, of course, you wait for your name to be called, and then it's later. But Montreal is the best club in the NHL., I would say it's the biggest market, the best fans, they are so passionate. The team is like a big family, everything is there, so it's definitely motivating me, and then I just show what I can do. I have the same potential, I'm the same player, and if I'm third round, second round, or sixth round, it doesn't matter to me. Everything happens for a reason.
– Were you surprised that it was Montreal that called your name?
A little bit, yeah, I talked with them, they forgot to talk with me in the combine, so they called me two days after. But I thought it would be a different team, but I'm very happy with Montreal, it's close to Halifax, and it's just like a big family.
– When you went to the development camp, what was it that they were specifically talking to you about on nutrition, training, your game?
– Yeah, we talked about different things, like, of course, developing as a player and getting stronger in the gym, but also on the ice with the box-out and getting more mature. Just that and having a bigger role in Halifax. They (Montreal) said I should just play hockey and not think about the future too much if I go back to Europe or stay another year in Halifax or go to the AHL, just play hockey and have a big role in Halifax. Of course, it's elite there; every NHL team has its staff, and they talk big about nutrition and talking about what you want to eat, what you should eat, and how to gain weight, keep the weight on.
– Have any of the development coaches have a one-on-one conversation and go over specific parts of your game with you?
– A little bit. We had the testing, and then they talked about that a lot. I always want to develop and increase the potential, so that's what they talked about. I think I had a pretty good development camp. I showed my skills, but in general, what I need to work on. I want to improve more in the rookie camp.
– You seem to have the skill set that fits in the long term. How do you feel you fit with the way that the Canadians are moving?
– I would say, from when I came over to Canada, I'm more of a two-way guy now. I was more offensive in Sweden. But now a little stronger, and to throw hits, I think I started doing that in the playoffs and in the under-18 World Cup in general, also now in the summer with the national team, I'm throwing the body around more and playing more aggressive. So I would say I have a good two-way game now, of course you can always improve, but I think that fits in pretty well.
– Obviously as a Montreal draft pick, how close are you going to be watching them this season and what are you looking to see?
– Way closer than last year for sure, when I came there it was like the fans are super nice, so I'm excited also when we play the rookie tournament in Bell Centre, but of course I want to see Ivan Demidov, and I want to see how Reinbacher is doing if he plays NHL or AHL like the Austrian guys, so that's interesting too.
