(Montreal) Were you surprised to learn that Johnathan Kovacevic was taking part in the fastest skater event at the Canadiens’ skills competition? Don’t worry, there are at least two of you.
“I was in shock when I found out yesterday,” admitted Kovacevic on Sunday. I wondered who picked the 6’5 guy in the fastest skater contest! »
This skills competition did not display the luster that the Canadiens’ marketing bonzes would have liked. When Martin St-Louis reminded Saturday that 10 of his players are injured, it therefore gives situations where two of the most acclaimed players – Kaiden Guhle and Juraj Slafkovsky – had to content themselves with playing a video game on the giant screen. Two others – Cole Caufield and Kirby Dach – meanwhile appeared in a pre-recorded segment where they sucked off like Claude Blanchard and Pierre Marcotte at Live bar.
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The Canadiens players wave to the crowd
But the absence of some allows others to shine, and in what was essentially a metaphor for his season, Kovacevic took the opportunity to afford some great moments, including a slapshot from 100.1 miles an hour and a lap of the ice at 13.908 s, a time which would have earned him 2e place in the All-Star Game skills contest.
A shot in the triple digits, “that’s what you’re aiming for. It was the first time my shot was measured. I will aim for 102 miles per hour next year! “, Launched the affable defender.
A metaphor for his season, because on paper Kovacevic was not destined for such a campaign. A year ago, he was back and forth between the Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose. Cut off from the Jets camp in October, he now had to go on waivers, where the Habs claimed him on October 8, in search of a right-handed defender.
Even once in Montreal, nothing guaranteed him a permanent role, but the injuries were numerous and he showed enough stability to don the uniform 51 times in 56 games. His +1 differential, in a team that has taken its share of beatings this season, is impressive.
“An event like today is a good indicator. I feel comfortable, I feel like I’m part of the team, Kovacevic told the half-dozen reporters covering the contest.
“When you arrive in a new organization, there are lots of new people to meet, staff members, coaches. There, I feel that I am part of the team, that I add value to it. It gives me confidence. This is my first year in the NHL and it means a lot to me. »
The Ontarian clearly seems to appreciate this new start. With his girlfriend, he lives in Old Montreal, where he tries to dust off his French learned at school when he was younger. He has also registered for the French courses offered by the team this season. How are the lessons going? ” They are fine. I do my best, but I have to practice more, ”he replied in French.
Kovacevic and Samuel Montembeault are convincing examples of the effectiveness of the waiver system to provide a springboard for players stuck in organizations.
four in four
Another who took his chance is Rafaël Harvey-Pinard. Again on Saturday, even though he was shut out, it was his work on the forecheck that was the source of the Montrealers’ only goal. With games like that, he’ll be sure to keep signing autographs like he did during the timeouts of this skills contest.
PHOTO FROM THE MONTREAL CANADIAN WEBSITE
Rafaël Harvey-Pinard won the competition for the most accurate shooter.
We knew the number 49 for his contagious relentlessness, less for the quality of his shooting. However, he showed impressive thoroughness by winning the competition for the most accurate shot, knocking down all four targets in four attempts.
It was the kind of moment that, we guess, is good for the morale of a team coming back from a trip where it suffered two losses by a combined score of 11-3. And who’s gearing up for another not-so-convenient game in New Jersey on Tuesday.
“It was more relaxed,” agreed Harvey-Pinard. We didn’t have an excellent performance in Toronto. It was good to take your mind off things. It’s going to be coming back to work tomorrow and coming back strong. »
In short
Only players reputed to be in good health took part in the trials. Sean Monahan, whose progress has “capped” according to St-Louis, was there, but did not put on the skates. Kirby Dach was also on the bench with his teammates. Recall that the great striker missed the last two games due to illness, according to the official version of the authorities. A disease obviously not contagious since he remains in the entourage of the club.
Alex Belzile won the fastest skater contest with a lap of 13.744 seconds. Harvey-Pinard won for accuracy, knocking down all four targets in 9.311 s. Justin Barron also hit all four targets with his first four pucks, but in 9.603s. Finally, with a strike at 100.9 miles per hour, Mike Matheson completed the Quebec sweep of the measured tests by triumphing in the test of the most powerful shot.
As seen at the American League Skills Competition, the side glass windows have been removed, allowing players to interact more with fans. “It’s good, you can look someone in the eye when you give them a puck, instead of throwing it over the bay window,” Kovacevic noted.