The saying goes, “You live and you learn.” With a new contract in his pocket and a new season on the horizon, Carey Price is out to prove just that.
The Canadiens inked their goaltender to a new two-year pact on Thursday, worth a reported $5.5 million total, a cap hit of $2.75 million.
“I feel great. I’m excited to be back, obviously. It took a little longer than expected but I’m just happy to have it done before heading back to Montreal,” said Price via conference call from Kelowna, where he’s been training at the WHL’s Rockets’ home rink.
When he does return to the city next week, he’ll do so in a new frame of mind. The 2009-10 campaign was a tough one for the Habs’ goaltender. Price struggled to get wins and eventually went from starter to second fiddle. He appeared in just 14 games from January on, started once in the playoffs and came in three times in postseason relief.
“It was never easy not playing but being able to learn lessons like that at a young age definitely helped,” admitted the 23-year-old, who did his best to get away from hockey news and rumours this summer. “I learned that ice time isn’t just given to you, it’s earned, and this past season really instilled that in me.”
The limited action late in the season led Price to get an early start on preparing for the next one. He’s been skating with long-time personal goalie coach Eli Wilson and for the last week has been working with Canadiens goalie coach Pierre Groulx. He’s also been hitting the ice with teammates Travis Moen and good buddy Josh Gorges.
As camps get set to open in a few weeks, Price knows there’s pressure. Not only does it come with the territory of being a top 10 draftee and playing in Montreal, but he also puts it on himself. The circumstances of the Halak trade would seem to add even more reason to get off on the right foot, but Price sees it as more than that.
“Last year was a pretty long year; it was a lot of fun but it wasn’t exactly the way I had planned it on finishing,” he conceded. “Starting this year, it’s a brand new start and I’m looking forward to getting into it and obviously a good start would be the best.”
He says he “kind of” knows new crease-mate Alex Auld through mutual friends and has heard a lot of good things about him. Asked how many games he’d like to play, Price didn’t hesitate when he only half jokingly answered, “82.” He wants to play a lot but knows that the end decision lies in Jacques Martin’s hands – and his own.
“What I’ve learned over the last couple of years is that No. 1s aren’t just given, it’s got to be earned and especially last season, I learned that lesson the hard way.”
And if his new state of mind is any indication, teams are going to find it a lot harder to beat him.
Read also:
* Habs begin to filter in, looking ahead to the new season
* Ex-Habs goaltender Halak to sign autographs for charity in Montreal
* This day in Habs' birthdays history - Carey Price
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