Guillaume Latendresse is heading back to junior after the Montreal Canadiens assigned the promising forward to the QMJHL's Drummondville Voltigeurs on Sunday.
The six-foot-two 18-year-old has been impressive at training camp, recording three goals and two assists in four pre-season games.
A second-round selection in the 2005 NHL draft, Latendresse collected 29 goals and 49 assists in 65 games with the Voltigeurs in 2004-05.
Latendresse, who had become a fan favourite in Montreal for his tenacious physical play, has a shot at playing for Canada at the world junior championships later this year.
The move leaves 25 players at training camp.