“My dad can’t skate and has probably never taken a hit with a hockey stick in his life. But today he is a big fan of ice hockey and especially the Canadians. When he’s not watching my games, he can watch other NHL or American League teams’ games.”
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Johnathan Kovacevic’s eyes lit up as he talked about his father, Novica. Novica, who comes from Montenegro, could not have predicted his son’s path to the best ice hockey league in the world.
“He discovered hockey when he arrived in Hamilton, Canada [1991], Johnathan remembered. It was long before I was born [1997]. But when I was born, he probably hoped I would become a soccer or basketball player, two sports more popular in his home country. Today he is very happy with my choice.”
In addition to Cayden Primeau, whose father Keith had an illustrious career as a center in the NHL, there are also current CH players like Kovacevic who did not inherit any ice hockey DNA.
“I’ve said it before, but I’m the only one in my family who can skate,” goaltender Samuel Montembeault added. My father was more of a baseball player. I owe the fact that I am here today to my father and mother. I am so happy to share this journey with my father. He made so many sacrifices for me, especially in the goalkeeper position where it costs even more.
Happy fathers
The next game against the Bruins in Boston will be anything but a routine trip. With the exception of Jesse Ylönen, all fathers of the Habs players will travel to Boston.
The day before, the fathers watched the 5-6 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in a box at the Bell Center. They also completed morning training at the Bell Center on Thursday morning. They repeated the same drill Friday morning while watching practice, but this time live from Brossard.
“It’s certain that there is pride,” said Martin St-Louis. A father is the only person in your life who wants something better for you. A friend or brother wants you to do better, but not more than him. Your father is the only one who wants you to do better. The fathers made a lot of sacrifices to help their boys reach the NHL.”
“It’s also always a great moment watching your child play hockey,” St-Louis continued. I can’t imagine how proud they are when they see their boys achieve their dream.”
A tour of Fenway
Last year, the players’ mothers accompanied the team on a trip to Washington and Nashville.
“My mom still tells us about Nashville and the fun she had,” Montembeault said with a smile. My father will drive a little less far, to Boston. And it’s already a town he’s known since I played in the American League in Springfield, Massachusetts, not far from Boston.”
It will be a trip home for Jordan Harris.
“My father [Peter] Harris noted that he got off at the same TD Garden subway station to go to work in Boston. It was a little funny since he came to the Bell Center last Saturday to watch the game against the Bruins. He returned home and came back to Montreal to find the other fathers.”
“He will probably act as a tour guide for other fathers to Boston,” he continued. I know they’re going to do a tour of Fenway Park, he knows the Red Sox stadium well.
Before Thursday night’s game against the Golden Knights, St. Louis invited the dads into the locker room. Keith Primeau introduced the starting lineup.
“You quickly realized he had done this before,” captain Nick Suzuki said with a laugh Thursday night.
“It was a great moment for me and my dad,” Cayden added after the game against Vegas. I won’t lie. He was good in his presentation!”