Jonathan Drouin Addresses the Montreal Media for the First Time Since Leaving the Canadiens Organization: He Is Not Expecting a Warm Welcome for Tomorrow's Return to the Bell Centre
Photo credit: Mile High Hockey
Montreal Canadiens fans had the opportunity to get an update on former player Jonathan Drouin Thursday night, as he was interviewed by Jean-Charles Lajoie on TVA Sports.
Number 27 had much to say about the Canadiens' fans and his time with the team.
Despite the many challenges he faced during his six seasons in Montreal, the Sainte-Agathe native loved his time in the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge uniform, eagerly anticipating Monday night's game at the Bell Centre.
"I loved my six seasons in Montreal. There were ups and downs, it was a great place for me. I believe the last two years helped me develop my game today. I'm really looking forward to coming back and having dinner with some players from the CH and my family will come to watch the game. It's going to be special, you tell yourself it's just another game but it's not. Since November I've been looking at the date." - Jonathan Drouin
However, despite all the love he has for his childhood team, he confirmed that the pressure from the media and Montreal fans played a significant role in his offensive performance with the organization.
After sweeping through the junior ranks, he arrived in Montreal as the next franchise savior, with the third overall pick in 2013 destined for a grand future in the NHL.
Unfortunately, after a 54-point season in 73 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jonathan Drouin was never able to surpass that mark with the Canadiens.
Frequently sidelined due to various injuries, the Quebec left winger only accumulated 48 goals in six seasons, totaling 186 points in 321 games. Obviously, these stats were not up to expectations, especially considering his five million dollar salary.
The forward, once seen as the next CH star, quickly became enemy number one among fans due to his underperformance and difficulties in scoring.
"It's hard to put it down to one thing [to explain why he didn't play up to par in Montreal], but there was a time when I was afraid to make mistakes. I wasn't comfortable with my game and I was thinking about too many things.
In my first game, I thought I was ready but I wasn't. It took me years to understand [the pressure]. But I think that in the last two years, Martin St-Louis helped me a lot with all that, to just play hockey and not think about what people thought of me. The fans were extraordinary with me despite everything." - Jonathan Drouin
Currently on an impressive streak of 14 points in 14 games with the Colorado Avalanche, Jonathan Drouin was very generous in his responses, not hesitating to say what he really thought. Certainly, it was very pleasant to see that the forward is doing well, playing undoubtedly his best hockey in years.
We wish him the best of luck for the future!
Monday night's game against the Canadiens, marking his official return to the Bell Centre, will be emotionally charged, but mostly a perfect opportunity to salute his time with the organization.
| POLL |
14 JANVIER | 263 ANSWERS Jonathan Drouin Addresses the Montreal Media for the First Time Since Leaving the Canadiens Organization: He Is Not Expecting a Warm Welcome for Tomorrow's Return to the Bell Centre Will you boo Jonathan Drouin on Monday? |
| Yes | 62 | 23.6 % |
| No | 201 | 76.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
Latest 10 stories
