When the cellphone rings and it’s Sidney Crosby on the opposite finish, finest to reply. Particularly if you’re a budding teenage hockey participant with NHL aspirations.
That was the case for Canadiens winger
Zachary Bolduc
in 2019.
The Trois-Rivières native attended coaching camp with the junior Rimouski Océanic, however was unsure whether or not that path would lead to a professional profession. As a substitute, he signed with Sioux Metropolis of the USHL, taking part in two video games with the Musketeers earlier than receiving a name from
Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrity
and, undoubtedly, the most-famous Océanic alumnus.
The decision was sufficient to dissuade Bolduc from remaining within the USHL.
“It was particular for positive. I didn’t anticipate that decision,” Bolduc mentioned after Tuesday’s apply in Brossard and earlier than the group flew to Toronto for
Wednesday night time’s season-opener in opposition to the Maple Leafs
. “You by no means anticipate that decision.
“He informed me how nice Rimouski was for him. A number of the coaches he had have been nonetheless there. It was a particular second for positive. I’ll do not forget that for a very long time.”
The decision from Crosby modified Bolduc’s profession path and proved to be the perfect choice he may have made.
Enjoying on a line with Alexis Lafrenière, chosen first general by the New York Rangers in 2020, Bolduc led QMJHL rookies with 30 targets in 55 video games and was named the league’s offensive freshman of the 12 months. The next season, though restricted to 27 video games, Bolduc scored 10 targets and 29 factors and was named the league’s finest professional prospect.
Bolduc spent his remaining two junior seasons with the Quebec Remparts and have become an offensive pressure. Over 126 video games, he produced 105 targets and 209 factors. Bolduc was chosen within the first spherical (seventeenth general) by St. Louis in 2021 and gained the Memorial Cup with the Remparts in 2023 to conclude his junior profession.
The Canadiens acquired Bolduc in a
July 1 commerce from the Blues for defenceman Logan Mailloux
. Regardless of lacking Montreal’s remaining exhibition recreation in opposition to Ottawa final Saturday with a lower-body damage, the 6-foot, 187-pound Bolduc was anticipated to skate on a line with
Kirby Dach
and
Brendan Gallagher
in opposition to Toronto.
Bolduc additionally finds himself on the Canadiens’ high power-play unit, complementing Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and defenceman Lane Hutson, the NHL’s reigning excellent rookie.
Nonetheless solely 22, Bolduc has performed a modest 97 profession NHL video games. however scored 19 targets and 36 factors in 72 video games final season, and joins a group that had solely 4 gamers who scored 20 targets or extra final season. Any offence Bolduc can provide might be welcomed by head coach
Martin St. Louis
. However the coach additionally believes Bolduc can present some much-needed grit up entrance.
“He has velocity and angle,” St. Louis mentioned on Tuesday. “He has to play that method. We’d like that. From an offensive standpoint we all know he has an excellent shot and he’ll assist us on the ability play. He has belongings to enhance what we have already got.”
Raised 90 minutes from Montreal, it goes with out saying Bolduc was a Canadiens fan and hoped to be drafted by the group. He undoubtedly was ecstatic to study in regards to the commerce.
“Initially, it’s his potential. However it’s additionally his model of play,” Canadiens common supervisor Kent Hughes mentioned on the time. “He’s a great skater and we noticed a giant enchancment in his bodily aspect, how bodily he turned over the course of the season final 12 months. He provides to our forechecking
. And it’s additionally his offensive potential. He was an excellent offensive participant all by way of his novice profession. He was a seventeenth decide general, in order that speaks to his offensive expertise and whereas averaging about 13 minutes a recreation he practically scored 20 targets this season.”
Bolduc says he believes the
Canadiens stay a playoff group
after securing the Japanese Convention’s remaining wild-card berth final season of their 82nd recreation. He’s impressed by the membership’s character and the way the gamers are dedicated to the group’s success.
Following two seasons in St. Louis, the place baseball’s Cardinals dominate the sports activities panorama, Bolduc is eagerly anticipating taking part in in a real hockey market, whereas understanding each transfer might be carefully monitored and dissected.
“I’m excited,” he mentioned. “We’ve been working for a month now. Working arduous at practices. All of the group right here is able to go, wholesome. It’s completely different taking part in in Montreal. Right here the Montreal Canadiens are the principle present. Everybody’s following the group; how they’re doing. It has been enjoyable. Individuals are passionate. I’m simply tremendous joyful to be a part of this group.
“It’s a great alternative for me to play on the primary energy play. I’m taking part in with Dach and Gallagher. These are good gamers. Gallagher has been within the league for such a very long time and Dach has a lot expertise.”
In the meantime, forwards Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen are anticipated to assist out on the penalty kill to start the season — changing Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia, who signed as free brokers with Philadelphia and Los Angeles, respectively.
“They’re two gamers that complement one another,” St. Louis mentioned. “I see two guys which might be embracing that and so they’re doing what the group wants them to do. That’s an important factor. I really feel they are often very environment friendly collectively. Newhook has that leap. He doesn’t get drained simply. I really feel he could be a menace short-handed due to it. Kapanen may be very cerebral. He makes nice reads off the puck offensively.
“I wasn’t positive who they have been going to be. It turned very evident to me I’ve acquired two guys that may be actually good at it.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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