To take over the old slogan of a famous lottery, wearing the colors of the Montreal Canadian, it does not change the world, except that … except that it changes the daily life. Especially for a player from Quebec, accustomed to anonymity.
This is the observation that Alexandre Carrier has been doing since the start of the summer. Acquired in return from Justin Barron on December 18, the defender realized that he would no longer go unnoticed in a crowd as was the case when he played for the Nashville Predators.
Photo Agence QMI, JOËL LEMAY
“Friday evening, we went to the Lasso festival. I walked in the crowd and I heard people sing: “Carrier! Carrier! Carrier!”, “Said the 28 -year -old athlete, met at the Brossard sports complex on Monday noon.
“This is the kind of thing that had never happened to me. Before, I was not recognized at all, he continued. I needed a slight adjustment. It was different as summer. “
Everyone already at work
This summer season has also allowed him to weave even more links with the teammates he got to know during two thirds of the last campaign. And not only by attending the wedding of Nick Suzuki and that of Samuel Montembeault.
As for two years now, many Canadian players have stayed in Montreal during the summer season. Others returned to their original patelin for a few weeks before quickly returning to the metropolis.
It is easier with a young training in which the majority of players have no children. Nevertheless, that says a lot about the culture and the feeling of belonging that reigns in the team’s environment.
“This is the first time that I have seen so many guys coming back so quickly,” said Carrier. It impresses me. Usually guys come back in early September. ”
“It shows how tight this group is woven. It also says a lot about how we are treated. Everyone wants to stay here, ”he added.
The example of the captain
The fact that Suzuki has chosen to move in Montreal and remain practically 12 months per year has certainly prompted several of his teammates to do the same.
David Savard, newly retired, maintains that this way of doing things can only be beneficial for the performance of the team.
“Being part of the community is the best way to know the city,” said the former defender. When you do this, this city is no longer only the one where you work. She becomes your home. The more you feel at home, the more it is transposed on the skating rink. ”
If this is the case, this is a good omen for the coming months.
