MONTREAL – Only a day after Montrealers got up early to watch Team Canada take hockey gold in Sochi, Carey Price was back in the Habs’ dressing room – thousands of kilometers away – brandishing his gold medal in front of reporters.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind,” he said. “I just got off the plane a couple of hours ago. It hasn’t really sunk in a whole lot.”
As Price talked to reporters, many of the Habs were on the ice at the team’s practice facility in Brossard.
While all eyes were on Price (fellow Hab and Olympian P.K. Subban wasn’t at the Brossard rink Monday), he deferred credit for the win to his Canadian teammates.
“Everybody contributed in some way, I think that was probably the most special feeling,” he said. “Because everyone who was out on that ice when the anthem played had a part in it in some way.”
READ MORE: Canada’s athletes in Sochi: Meet goalie Carey Price
The Olympics made for conflicting loyalties in the Canadiens locker room, as the team sent eight players to the Olympics. Peter Budaj (Slovakia), Raphael Diaz (Switzerland, traded to Canucks after being named), Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin (Russia), Max Pacioretty (USA), Tomas Plekanec (Czech Republic), Subban and Price.
“You’re rooting for your teammates, but obviously your country first,” said Habs captain Brian Gionta, himself an American. “So once they’re out you’re rooting for Price or P.K.”
But even with national loyalties aside, the Canadiens were thrilled for Price.
“You feel great for him, he deserves it,” said Tomas Plekanec. “He’s a great goalie and if you’re not the one to win it,then one of your teammates for sure.”
The Canadiens play the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday at the Bell Centre, where Price will face his Olympic coach, Mike Babcock.
Comments