Daniel Audette is making his way, somewhere in the country of Alex Kovalev. Thursday, it was placed at 22e rank of KHL markers. While his name is mentioned here and there when it comes time to discuss the Canadian team for the Olympics, the former Canadiens prospect says he has yet to hear from him. from Hockey Canada.
The 25-year-old forward was returning from training with his current squad HC Vityaz from Podolsk, Russia, when he took the call from Press, Thursday morning. From the outset, he confirmed the obvious: he would love to take part in the Olympic Games, if Hockey Canada makes him one of his choices.
“To have a chance to go to the Olympics, it’s rare, so it’s exciting,” he suggests. But at the same time, it’s disappointing not to have the chance to see the best in the world playing together. ”
“If they contact me, so much the better,” he adds. Otherwise … It’s not my decision. I played the best I could this year I think so if they are interested in that it would be really fun to go for sure. ”
Audette does not have to be ashamed of his performances since crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 2020. Last year, he finished the campaign in second place in the scorers of the SM-Liiga with the Lukko club of the city of Rauma, Finland.
His 50 points in 60 games earned him, as he wished, his first contract in KHL, with HC Vityaz. And he continues to do well with 16 goals and 35 points in 42 games this season, in a team that ranks at the bottom of the standings. Audette was also on the Canadian team at the Channel One Cup before the holidays.
I’m not surprised [de mes performances]. In my head, I’m still young, I’m just 25. Last year in Finland and the years before, I got better every year. I still think I will keep doing this for the next few years if I keep improving. I wanted to leave my mark.
Daniel Audette
If he was one of Canada’s representatives in Beijing, Audette would have players of all ages as teammates. According to information recently reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger, junior age players like Owen Power and ex-NHL players like Adam Cracknell are being considered.
“It would be very interesting as a team, launches the native of Blainville. When we get together, the Canadiens, usually, it’s always a great dynamic and everyone gets along well. ”
Back to North American soil?
When we ask Daniel Audette if he appreciates life in Russia, he tells us that the adaptation has been more difficult than in Finland. Угадай почему (guess why)! The language, that’s it.
“There are a little less people who speak English, but we still have a few people who help us with that,” he says. I have a Quebecker, a Quebec Russian, in my team. Goalkeeper Ilya Ejov. He helps us quite a bit with these things. ”
Is your Russian improving? we ask him.
“I wouldn’t say I speak Russian,” he hastens to answer. But I know words and phrases, like “good morning” and “see you tomorrow”. Nothing too complicated. But in terms of hockey, I still learned a lot. When the coach speaks, I still understand what he is saying. ”
Daniel Audette has decided to take the path of Europe at the end of the 2020 season, after playing with the Florida Panthers school club. So without a contract in a context of uncertainty with the onset of the pandemic, the Canadiens’ fifth-round pick in 2014 wanted to make sure they played hockey.
“Either I was really patient and expected an offer in North America, or I accepted the offer in Europe,” he recalls.
Looking back, he’s at peace with the decision he made.
To date, I am happy with the path I have chosen. It gave me a chance. I’ve been seen, the last two years. People here enjoy the way I play and it’s fun.
Daniel Audette
His intention remains all the same to return to North American soil eventually. Will it be next season? May be. Maybe not.
“At the end of the day, it always depends on what offers you get and who’s interested,” he notes. I’m not closed to coming back to North America, that’s for sure. But at the same time, I wouldn’t mind staying here at all. I am open to everything. ”
” Maybe next year. Or the year after. I’m still just 25 years old, he recalls. I still have good hockey to play. ”