Big loss for the Montreal Canadiens flies under the radar.

The Montreal Canadiens will have to move forward without an important piece of their amateur scouting staff.

It has been recently confirmed in a report from TVA Sports that amateur scout Matt Turek has left the organization, and although Turek may not be a household name he played a significant role in recruiting some important members of the Canadiens roster.

Turek is credited for having played a large role in the scouting and recruitment of undrafted defenseman Arber Xhekaj, a player that proved to be a dynamic part of the Canadiens lineup this past season. Turek is also believed to have pushed hard for the recruitment of Canadiens centerman Owen Beck, who was selected 33rd overall in the 2nd round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Turek was still listed on the Canadiens' personnel page on the team's official website which likely contributed to his departure going relatively unnoticed, but that has since been corrected and his role filled by former New Jersey Devils 8th round pick at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft draft, Joey Tenute.

Turek's departure comes due to the fact that he was promoted to the position of interim general manager of the Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League back in October, a position that, as per the rules of Gary Bettman's NHL, would have barred him from continuing in his duties as an amateur scout. Turek was promoted to the role after former Bulldogs GM Steve Staios took a role with the Edmonton Oilers organization.

Given his ability to find gems in the rough, such as the aforementioned Arber Xhekaj, Turek's departure will surely be felt in the Canadiens organization. I would like to wish him all the best on his hockey career moving forward.