By JD Lagrange – As rookie camps and tournaments are fast approaching, prospects around the NHL are about to start trying to impress enough to get an invitation to teams’ main training camp. That’s a given for Sean Farrell, who finished the season in Montreal last year. And he has done what he was asked to do in order to impress the Habs’ brass when they hit the ice together.
In a recent interview with TVA Sports, Farrell opened up on a multitude of topics. And the maturity of this young man is what stood out in my mind.
So what was Sean Farrell’s summer like?
- He completed his last University courses and officially graduated from Harvard, with a diploma in economics.
- He added six pounds of muscle.
- He made key components of his off-season training, listening to the team’s advices to improve his physical attributes.
“My summer routine is rather easy to sum up. I got up at 6:30 am, then I went to the gym”, said Farrell. “I worked out for a few hours, I skated a bit and I went home. Then, I had class at 3:00 pm. After that, I did homework as long as I could, then I went to bed… and started all over again the next day!”
The Canadiens’ fourth round pick in 2020 had 53 points (20 goals) in 34 games last season in the NCAA. At the end of the season, he signed a three-year Entry Level Contract (ELC) with the Habs, a deal worth $3.775 million. He finished the season in Montreal, playing six games in which he scored his first NHL goal.
“Things went quickly. I was playing in Harvard and the following week, I was playing my first game with the Canadiens. It’s crazy when you think of it”, he added.
Speaking of his adaptation coming to Montreal, Farrell was living in a hotel room close to the Bell Centre. But three guys on the team in particular made him feel welcome.
“Cole (Caufield), whom I knew already, was the first guy who contacted me”, explained Farrell. “Nick Suzuki and Chris Wideman were next. They took me everywhere in the City and made sure that I felt good. I’m very grateful to them. Everyone in the dressing room was fantastic.”
The young forward had good words for the staff as well.
“I also really appreciated the coaches’ approach”, said an appreciative Farrell. “Right off the bat, they told me to to be afraid of making mistakes and not to change my style of play. It’s true that young players will struggle to apply that advice to start with, but the fact of feeling the coaches were wanting me to feel comfortable helped me a lot.”
Asked specifically about Martin St-Louis, Farrell had this to say:
“I remember at a morning skate the day of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, in which I wasn’t playing. I was doing some extra time and Martin snuck up by me and tried to take the puck away from me. He then took a few drills with me, then we talked. It really helped me. He was one of my idols growing up and learning from him is extremely special.”
Team’s advice
After the season ended, the team had some suggestions for his off-season training and Farrell applied the advices he was given.
“They told me to add strength to fell better in puck battles”, he explained. “With more power, they told me that I would be better at puck protection and generating more in the offensive zone.”
A good student, Farrell only had one thing in mind: follow his employer’s advices. And the results, he says, are there.
“My training was dedicated to adding more muscular mass and developing my brute power. I also worked on my abdominals and my core. Finally, being more explosive on my skates and my cardio-vascular endurance were the focus of many training sessions. I have also integrated more proteins to my diet. That and the work I did in the gym allowed me to add six pounds of muscle. I’m now at 180 lbs”, proudly expressed the young man.
Objectives
Farrell is a driven young man. The Milton, Massachusetts native will be turning 22 years old on November 2nd and he isn’t planning on staying in a hotel this season. In fact, he is fully planning on earning a spot in Montreal.
“I’ve live in the hotel. My objective is now to do well at camp to eventually get a spot at home, in Montreal, and stay. There will be many talented players who will battle for a spot and everyone has the same goal. But at the same time, it will be up to me to show that I’m capable of playing with these guys.”
And how exactly does he see his game at the NHL level?
“I’ve always been a play-maker who can generate offense. The NHL is the best league in the world, but I think that by continuing to develop my strength and speed, my instincts will allow me to contribute offensively with Montreal. I’m working on that. I also watch a lot of video. Ultimately, I wish to become a player that the team can count on in all circumstances.”
While many fans have already assigned Farrell to Laval, the young man has had a taste of the NHL and he has done his homework in the off-season… in more ways than one.
Talent is not enough. You need discipline. You need dedication. You need character. More men have failed, not for lack of talent but for lack of character. And Sean Farrell is certainly not lacking in character.