Habs : A well-deserved honor

Source : canadiens.nhl.com



Nearly 30 years after taking his first strides with the Canadiens in the NHL, Chris Chelios is ready to take his place among the legends of hockey.

Recognized as one of hockey’s most consistent and effective defensemen at both ends of the ice for over two decades of NHL action, Chelios didn’t waste any time getting himself inducted in to the Hockey Hall of Fame, receiving the distinction in his first year of eligibility.

“It’s a great honor. Thank you to the committee; it’s one of the highest honors any athlete can receive. It’s thrilling and I’m really excited about this,” expressed Chelios, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Scott Niedermayer, Brendan Shanahan, female hockey star Geraldine Heaney and former coach and general manager, Fred Shero. “Unfortunately no one was in my house when the call came. Everyone is either at a hockey camp or a lacrosse camp. I couldn’t share the news with anyone. Even though you know it’s coming, it was a big surprise when it really happened.”

Selected by the Canadiens in the second round, 40th overall, at the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, Chelios made his way into the league three years later for what would prove to be an exceptional professional career. While he may have only spent seven seasons as a Hab, also suiting up for the Blackhawks, Red Wings and Thrashers over the course of his time in the NHL, that didn’t stop him from making his mark on Canadiens history. Chelios still holds the team record for most points by a rookie defenseman with 64. He was also the first American-born player to ever wear the “C” for the Habs, and before P.K. Subban accomplished the feat a few weeks ago, he was the most recent Montreal player to win the Norris Trophy.

Although those achievements might date back to the 1980s, Chelios still admits today that his years with the Canadiens were among the most important of his 26 NHL campaigns – a record he shares with Gordie Howe.

“Like I’ve said numerous times, playing for Montreal was like a college experience going to Harvard. I came in and I got the chance to play with some veterans like Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt, Larry Robinson and Bob Gainey. They took me under their wings and I’ve learned from the best,” reminisced Chelios, who won the first of his three Stanley Cups with the Habs in 1985-86. “I was really fortunate. They’re really good hockey players but they’re great guys as well. To learn from the best you have to listen to them. That had a big influence on my career.”

When it’s time for him to officially be inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony set to take place in November, Chelios will become the 55th member of the organization to receive the honor. In the wake of one of the most important distinctions of his career, the 51-year-old pointed out that the road he took wasn’t always an easy one – a fact that makes his current experience even sweeter.

“There’s probably no reason in the world that I should’ve played in the NHL because of where I grew up. Being from the restaurant business, no one was playing organized hockey in the neighborhood that I’m from,” explained Chelios, who grew up in a suburb of Chicago, IL. “I guess I was in the right place at the right time. I finally got my big break when I was 15 years old and went to play in Canada (for Moose Jaw in the SJHL). It was a crazy dream; it’s not like I was a kid growing up in a hot bed of hockey.”

And yet, he now finds himself immortalized among the best to ever play the game.

Habs : Return of the general

Source : canadiens.nhl.com



We sometimes take certain things for granted. In their absence, we tend to discover just how important they really are. And, we appreciate them even more when they return.

That’s somewhat been the story of rearguard Andrei Markov, a general who has long patrolled the Canadiens blue line.

Having only contested 73 of his team’s 272 games between 2009 and 2012 after undergoing several knee surgeries, the Russian defenseman returned to form when the NHL season began back in January.

After putting his knee to the test in the KHL with a 21-game stint with Vityaz de Chekhov during the lockout, Markov showed that time spent in his native Russia played an important role in his being able to perform consistently during the condensed 2012-13 NHL schedule. His decision to head overseas ahead of the regular season was welcomed by Canadiens brass.

“The fact that Andrei played in the KHL helped him,” indicated Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin. “He hadn’t played for such a long period of time. We obviously had no control over whether or not he would play in the KHL, but internally we were pleased. We knew that he had to find his rhythm again. The best way to do that was to play hockey, and that’s what he did. He had a great start.”

If the Canadiens started the season off at a torrid pace and began heading down a path that would see them jump from finishing 15th in the Eastern Conference in 2011-12 to second in 2012-13, partial credit goes to number 79 who registered four goals, including three game-winning markers in three consecutive games – a first for a defenseman in team history – and four assists during the first six games of the season in January. All doubt had been set aside. The Markov of old was back.

At his post for each of the 48 regular season tilts and five playoff games, Markov was a veritable workhorse for head coach Michel Therrien’s defense corps, logging at least 20 minutes of ice time in all but two games over the course of the year. It was a tall order for a 34-year-old defenseman who hadn’t laced up his skates in practically two years. Markov, however, met the challenge in front of him head on. He finished the season with 30 points, 23 of which came on the power play, finishing second only to teammate P.K. Subban who led all NHL defensemen in that category.

"Not playing over the course of two years and then playing two games in two nights, four in six. I was tired just traveling with the guys," explained Bergevin with a grin. "In general, we’re happy with the way he performed."

Having coached Markov during his early days in the NHL, Therrien was happy to be able to count on his general game in and game out. Markov’s triumphant return did not go unnoticed when it was announced that he was the Canadiens’ candidate for the Bill Masterton Trophy.

"It’s a great demonstration of perseverance. He went practically two years without being able to play," said the Canadiens bench boss. "He’s a player that we used a lot, who’s important at the heart of our team and who played in all of our games. When we talk about perseverance, Andrei is an excellent example of that."

The Voskresensk, Russia native took full advantage of the season to cement his place among the best defensemen in team history, moving up to fifth on the all-time points list with 399 points. Legends Serge Savard and Doug Harvey are in sight for Markov in 2013-14.

While the campaign may have ended earlier than expected after a successful regular season, the veteran rearguard is optimistic about what the future has in store.

“We expected more. Regardless of where you finish in the standings, you want to get past the opening round. Everyone was disappointed,” confessed Markov. “We’ve got a good group of young players who will get even better next season. We’ve got a bright future ahead of us.”