For Martin St-Louis, like Kent Hughes, there was no doubt that their union would continue. We just had to find the time to sit down and chat.
• Also read: Martin St-Louis has signed a three-year contract with the Canadiens
• Also read: Draft 2022: Kent Hughes charmed by Shane Wright
“It’s not that the negotiations took long. It was a matter of logistics. I traveled with my family, I went to Michigan and Nashville. kent [Hughes] and Jeff [Gorton] were busy at the World Cup,” explained St-Louis, echoing his General Manager’s comments from the previous day.
Five head coaches have lost their jobs at Bettman Circuit since the end of the season. Although it took a month between the start of the Canadian vacation and the announcement of this agreement, St-Louis says no other team has approached him. At least in the NHL.
“My son’s bantam team was very interested,” said St-Louis, laughing.
“People knew I wanted to come back with CH. It was my goal. I wanted to continue what we started,” he continued more seriously.
Honored and flattered
When he was hired on February 9, many marveled at his ability to lead an NHL team. After all, he had no professional hockey experience except for a tumultuous stint as an advisor to John Tortorella with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2019.
This is undoubtedly one of the reasons Hughes had provided a way out by contrasting the term “interim” with the St. Louis position.
“In February they dared me. I felt honored and flattered. With what we’ve built since then, I was convinced they’d still want me,” the Laval resident said, referring to Hughes, Jeff Gorton and Geoff Molson.
St. Louis’ early months at the helm of the team may not have allowed the Habs to climb up the league table, but they have at least restored some sense of pride among the troops. That makes him most proud.
“I felt like the guys were excited to show up in the arena even though we didn’t have much success. There aren’t many games where we’ve been downgraded, he said. I’m glad I saw the guys fight in games where we were behind. That’s the label we want to wear. »
A crucial game
What’s more, despite the challenges that lay ahead, the former Lightning star never doubted that he would enjoy the job.
“I love hockey and wanted to coach the Montreal Canadiens. It would have been hard not to like that. »
However, he claims that the night this reality hit him hardest was during the March 13 game in Philadelphia. That night, the Canadian equalized in the last minute of the third period despite being outnumbered before winning in overtime.
“Those moments when you have your back against the wall, you see how the guys react on the ice and you win, it’s really fun. In games like this, you really love the experience of being in the NHL. »