P.K. Subban (No. 76), was cut by the Canadiens on Monday. (Jerry S. Mendoza/Associated Press)

Junior stars P.K. Subban and Olivier Fortier were among 18 players cut from the Montreal Canadiens training camp on Monday.

The NHL club trimmed its roster to 32 players, including Subban (a defenceman) and Fortier (a forward) who were both impressive in camp.

Subban will return to the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League and Fortier will resume his duties as captain of the Rimouski Oceanic in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

"I learned that I can play at this level," said Subban, who could play for Canada at the 2009 world junior hockey championship. "The NHL is so fast, but I learned that it's a lot easier playing at this level.

"Everyone's in the right position. You just have to move the puck, especially as a defenceman. So I'm looking forward to my opportunity next year."

Subban was a second-round pick (43rd overall) in the 2007 NHL draft. Fortier was selected in the third round (65th overall) in the same draft.

The other 16 cut players on Monday were assigned to the camp of the American Hockey League's Hamilton Bulldogs in St. John's, N.L.

The Canadiens will play their remaining three pre-season games at home against Detroit (Sept. 30), Boston (Oct. 1) and Minnesota (Oct. 4).

With files from Canadian Press