Carey Price Attends Charitable Event
This past weekend, the Montreal Canadiens’ iconic goaltender Carey Price attended a charitable event hosted by the Cummings Center, where he was celebrated as the sportsperson of the year. Among the attendees was sports journalist Tony Marinaro, who seized the opportunity to record a special episode of The Sick Podcast, interviewing both Price and former Canadiens player, general manager, and coach Bob Gainey.
Insights from Carey Price
While Price’s insights were fascinating, it was Gainey’s stories that captivated the audience. In a heartfelt segment, Marinaro reminisced with Price about his early days when he was just a teenager playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs during a memorable playoff run in the AHL. When asked what advice he would give to rising star Jacob Fowler, who currently finds himself in a similar position, Price reflected on his own experience. He expressed that he was simply in awe of living his dream at that age and encouraged Fowler to relish the journey because he wished he could relive such moments.
Emotional Reflections
The conversation took a poignant turn when Marinaro queried Price about the emotional weight of potentially having his jersey retired among the legends of the Canadiens. Price, known for his composed demeanor, shared,
“Every player who has had a lengthy career dreams of such an honor; however, I consistently state that my proudest achievement has been serving as the Canadiens’ goaltender for 15 years. That in itself is a significant honor for me.”
Current Realities and Historical Insights
While fans may still wish for Price to stage a comeback, he clarified his current reality. He noted that despite occasionally feeling ready to play, he no longer possesses the capability to compete at an NHL level due to ongoing knee issues that limit his agility necessary for goalie movements. He enjoys skating recreationally, but the demands of professional play are beyond his reach now.
In an eye-opening segment of the podcast, Gainey recounted the pivotal moments from the 2005 NHL Draft, where the Canadiens were poised to select fifth overall, shortly after the Minnesota Wild. Gainey revealed that the Wild chose Benoit Pouliot, a player who ultimately suited up for seven different NHL teams and tallied 263 points over 625 games, including a stint with Montreal. Fans of the Canadiens might muse what might have been had the franchise secured their top choice.
Additionally, Gainey divulged a fascinating tidbit about the 2010 scenario involving the St. Louis Blues, who unexpectedly sought Price following the standout performance of Jaroslav Halak. However, at that time, then-general manager Pierre Gauthier only agreed to part with Halak. The possibilities raise intriguing questions about how different the Canadiens’ legacy could have been with alternate decisions at those critical moments in time.
Conclusion
For many Canadiens enthusiasts, these revelations underscore the complexity of team dynamics and decision-making in the NHL context. Stay informed about the Canadiens by following various updates via sports channels on Google News.
Photo credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images.
