Showing Carey Price The Love

By JD Lagrange – It’s been a tough couple of years for Montreal Canadiens’ goaltender Carey Price. After taking his team all the way to the Stanley Cup finals in the 2021 playoffs, he had pushed his body to the limits and needed surgery to repair damage in one of his knees. And we know the rest. Much like with Shea Weber, they won’t come out to say it right out, due to insurance issues, but Price’s career is very much in jeopardy.

This past Wednesday night, prior to the season’s opener at the Bell Centre, Price was present. Dressed in his traditional cowboy hat, fans ensure that he knew how much they appreciate him and what he means to this team, to this City. He had an ovation like only Canadiens’ fans can reserve to their beloved ones… and Price was visibly touched.

Players’ reaction

The Anahim Lake, BC native is the longest serving Canadiens’ player on the team. He spent his entire 15 year career defending the net of the NHL’s most storied franchise. His 361 wins are most than any of the other legendary goaltenders who have worn the red, white and blue.

The second longest serving player on the Canadiens, Brendan Gallagher, had nothing but praise for his friend and teammate after that game. And he didn’t hesitate to speak his mind when asked about the ovation from the fans.

“I think he deserves everything — he competed, he battled, pushed his body to the limits”, said Gallagher. “You never know with him, but if we never see him again on the ice, he deserves every ovation that he can manage.”

Gallagher went even further, stating that the team should give Price the ultimate honour.

“If I had my vote, there would be statue of him built pretty soon outside of the building”, he added without hesitation.

Toronto Maple Leafs’ winger Mitch Marner was also offered his thoughts on the Canadiens’ goaltender, who might have played his last game and who was responsible for the Leafs’ elimination in the first round of those 2021 playoffs.

“I’ve been watching Carey play for a long time, whether it was at the World Cup, the Olympics or even the World Junior Championship”, said Marner. “He was always special to watch. He knew he could make his opponents’ night difficult. He’s quite a competitor”, he added. “Obviously, hockey misses Carey. But life and family must come before hockey. The most important thing is to take care of yourself and be respectful and present for the people you love.”

Visibly grateful by the reaction of the fans, Price took to Instagram to thank the them for the love he has received.

This is not the first, nor is it the last time that we will write about Carey Price. And I cannot encourage you enough to read the following pieces on this very website. You will not be sorry to have done so. Lets us know what you think.

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