The fact that Jonathan Drouin would be leaving the Canadiens was no big secret, and the Quebec forward is the first to realize he’s headed for calmer waters elsewhere than sizzling Montreal after years of prosperity. However, it does not retain the slightest bitterness.
Ever since Drouin joined Colorado Avalanche when the free agent market opened up, he’s made no secret that he’s happily ever after. Not because he wants the Canadian or his followers, on the contrary.
Just seeing him on the screen for a few minutes during a video conference organized by his new team is enough to see how light his heart seems.
“A few days before [l’ouverture du marché]we have made the decision not to return with the Canadiens.
“Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton were super nice to me, but I needed a fresh start. Montreal, it’s been difficult in recent years. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs. I needed a fresh start somewhere else,” said the 28-year-old striker.
Not all negative
Ups and downs to say the least. The highs have been very high, but the lows have been abysmal at times, to the point that his anxiety issues made headlines throughout the 2020-21 season and earned him a nice boost in sympathy.
Despite the emotional rollercoaster of six seasons in Montreal, the forward, limited to 186 points in 321 games with the Canadiens, makes sure he leaves Montreal without the slightest resentment.
“I’ve had some great moments in Montreal, there aren’t just bad moments. I’ve met some great people and I’ve grown up like no one else,” he noted, stressing that he won’t speak ill of the Canadian to any Quebecer who wonders about the idea of playing at the Bell Centre.
“I will never tell a Quebecer not to go to Montreal. Even after six years, I still got butterflies when I went on the ice at the Bell Centre. These are things that will never change. The passion of the fans will always be there. Yes there is pressure but if you can handle it it’s a great place to play. Especially now that the staff is in place. “It will be a team that will be very good going forward,” he said.
A good relationship
The more difficult element in the equation, according to Drouin, is the fact that he has left a team led by Martin St-Louis. From the tape we see that this was not always the case with its predecessors.
“Things went really well with Martin. We were on the same wavelength and saw hockey the same way. It’s difficult to go like that when you have a coach you feel comfortable with and who at least understands where we want the team to go.
When asked if he would like to go back in time to do things differently to make his time in Montreal more successful, Drouin would not change a thing.
However, he admits the pressure from Montreal surprised him, even though he felt prepared for it upon arrival.
“I have no regrets. There are some things I may have changed… but not really. When I arrived in Montreal I thought I knew what to expect, but anyone will tell you: as a Quebecer in Montreal you can don’t really know what to expect. I’ve already left Montreal and I’m thinking about the future. I wouldn’t change much about what happened,” he said.
When Nathan MacKinnon becomes a recruiter
A little over 10 years ago, Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin terrorized opposing teams in the QMJHL with the Mooseheads. Getty Images/AFP
For Jonathan Drouin, joining Nathan MacKinnon in Denver was a matter of the simplest logic. Especially since his former teammate and friend took care of the recruitment himself.
“We have exchanged a lot of text messages over the last few weeks. At this point in my career, I wanted this opportunity. I’m very excited to join such an organization,” said Drouin, who accepted a one-year contract for $825,000.
Both forwards were teammates with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL for two seasons. In 2012 and 2013 it didn’t matter whether it rained or the sun was shining.
MacKinnon had 75 points, including 32 goals, in just 44 regular-season games. Drouin scored 41 goals and 105 points in the same season. In the playoffs, the two scored 74 points combined, forming a deadly duo.
During his July 1 press conference following Drouin’s hiring, Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland highlighted MacKinnon’s compelling work, calling him an “honorary member of the scouting team.”
Always in touch
The two sidekicks remained close over the years and continued to chat until, in the final hours, MacKinnon wooed Drouin to bring him to the Avalanche.
“It wasn’t talked about before, but I said yes in the last few days.” Before that, I played in Montreal and he in Colorado. We talked about everyday things that people talk about in life. “In the last few days, when I became a free agent, we decided that we would like to play together and that it would be a good thing for me to go to Colorado and play there,” said Drouin, who is a full free agent was the first time in his career.
“It was something new, something I had never experienced before. Colorado was on my radar and I got lucky. It’s a very good opportunity. There have been several calls and emails over the last few days, but I’m glad it’s done and I find myself in a very good team.
Reunion with Lehkonen
In addition to MacKinnon, Drouin will also reunite with Artturi Lehkonen, with whom he worked for six seasons in Montreal.
“Lehkonen is such a versatile player. He wins his battles for the puck and does many important things to help the team win. I also played against (Samuel) Girard in junior class. I know it’s a good team,” said the man, who describes himself as “super healthy” after a few seasons in which injuries hadn’t spared him.