That should be music to the ears of Laval Rocket coach Joel Bouchard, who said on a conference call Monday that this extensive pause represents a unique opportunity for his players and Canadiens prospects alike.
“I know this is a time where we feel on standstill a little bit and for an athlete, more than anybody else, you feel when you cannot do your craft that you’re stuck, you’re done, you’re not going to be able to do anything,” Bouchard said. “I disagree… If I was a young 18, 19-year-old guy, there’s no reason I wouldn’t have a six-pack. That’s what I talk to the guys about all the time. Why can you not be a better athlete coming out of this? It’s beyond me. And it all comes down to attitude, will.
“I think all throughout life I‘ve worked extremely hard to reach this goal,” the Jonquiere, Que., native said. “It started when I was really young, watching the Canadiens and building this dream to play for the Canadiens. As of that moment, I started working hard everywhere just to get to that level. I’ve had many obstacles in my life, but I learned to get past those hurdles and I’ll get through this one, too.
EricEngels CanadiensMTL What's the knock against the kid?