Jonathan Drouin begins a new chapter in his career this season as he will wear a new jersey for the first time in six seasons.
At the end of the first day of training camp for his new team, the Colorado Avalanche, the former Habs color carrier formed a trio with Mikko Rantanen and his former Halifax Mooseheads teammate Nathan Mackinnon.
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On Thursday, Drouin, whose comments were published on the website coloradohockeynow.com, also said he was relieved that his health problems are now a thing of the past.
“This is the first summer I’ve been able to start on time. I didn’t have to do any rehab until about mid-July, so I did it and feel good,” he said.
The 28-year-old forward says he’s excited to join a team that’s contending for the Stanley Cup.
“The Avalanche won not too long ago. I think you can feel the hunger of this team given the way they finished last year. I am happy to see all the newcomers and will try to help them,” added the Quebecer.
A special teammate
The Sainte-Agathe native will have the opportunity to restart his career alongside Nathan MacKinnon, with whom he played rain or shine with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Both players were key players in the Mooseheads’ capture of the Memorial Cup in 2013. Although they took different paths in the National Hockey League (NHL), Drouin and MacKinnon always stayed in touch.
“I’m not going to lie, it was weird at first to get back on the ice ten years later and be his teammate again, but it was pretty enjoyable. Now it’s very exciting to play with a player of this caliber and a team like this,” said Drouin.