Marc Antoine Godin Interviews Alexei Emelin

After season-after-season of failed attempts, Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier finally persuaded defenseman Alexei Emelin to give North American hockey a shot this year. Unfortunately, he has found himself in the role of 7th defender for the time being, and will thus be a healthy scratch for a 5th consecutive game tonight against the Ottawa Senators.

Whether or not you agree with Jacques Martin's decisions, if you're anything like me, you've been extremely curious to hear how Emelin feels about his time in Montreal thus far. Today, thanks to a great interview by Marc Antoine Godin of La Presse, we have Emelin's answers to some hot button questions. See the interview (in French), conducted through a translator, in its entirety here:

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/hockey/201111/04/01-4464422-emelin-je-dois-prouver-que-jai-ma-place-dans-cette-ligue.php?utm_categorieinterne=trafficdrivers&utm_contenuinterne=cyberpresse_B20_en-manchette_403_section_POS1

Translating some key points, Emelin states that he "has to prove that he has his place in this league." He has no real answer to the question of whether or not he's happy with how he's being used thus far, but points out that his coaches gave him plenty of confidence, trust, and ice time in Russia, though he knew he'd face stiffer competition for time with the Canadiens.

When asked the question everyone wants to know, whether a season of little ice time in Montreal would make him return to the KHL in the off-season, he responded that he's not sure; he's "here now, will continue working hard, and time will tell."

Emelin also adds that the transition to North America hasn't been an issue; that he is comfortable on North American sized rinks. He points to Andrei Kostitsyn as a big help in translating talks with the coaching staff and to Jaroslav Spacek for helping him with positional play on the ice. Finally, he mentions that while he isn't afraid to fight, he needs to be careful of his eye - seriously injured during a scrap in Russia - as further injury could leave serious permanent damage.

I, for one, sincerely hope that Emelin earns a full-time spot on the Montreal back end. He has shown on the international stage that he has huge potential, and he brings a skill set of size and physicality that the team certainly lacks. It would be a shame to lose such a talent before he had a real chance to show what he can bring.

New Interview with Erik Cole

Lindsay Kramer - no known relation to yours truly - published a piece for The Post-Standard about new Habs scorer Erik Cole, which can be found here:

http://bit.ly/piUYH8

Key Quotes / Highlights:

- "I know a bit of French," Cole said. "I know how to get around. I’m definitely not fluent. Being right there in the environment, it should come back to me quickly."

- In response to the issue of playing in a pressure situation: "I look at it as an opportunity. I’m excited for it. To play in front of that atmosphere every game, that’s impressive," he said of Montreal. "There’s always a buzz in the city when it comes hockey time. It’s not going to be easy the entire time. Being in that setting will just build character."

- "I think I’m coming off a year where I had a lot to prove to myself and other people," he said. "It was a good year for me. It could’ve been better. It’s a good step to continue on a road I was on prior to when I was injured. People start doubting you. You lose credibility. But I feel confident in what I’m capable of."

- "We’re definitely anticipating having more (friends and family) coming to games," he said. "A lot of guys I played college hockey with all live in the eastern Ontario area. I always would give them a tough time, they never came down to Raleigh to see games. I don’t think there will be too many home games where I won’t be hosting a family member."

An Interview with Alain Berger

Following up on the Player Spotlight we ran about little-known Habs prospect Alain Berger, today we bring you an interview conducted with him this off-season by the Swiss Ice Hockey Association.

http://www.swiss-icehockey.ch/SIH/aktuell/fr/alain_berger_f.php (French)

Berger, signed to a three-year deal this past April, seems to have a good attitude when it comes to his future professional hockey career. The 20-year states that multiple teams were interested in his services, including the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars, but he felt he had the best chance by choosing the Canadiens.

Though Berger attended the Canadiens development camp in June, he says he hasn't seen much of the city, but does admire the new and state-of-the-art training facilities in Brossard. While Berger was here, head coach Jacques Martin made an impression in holding an individual meeting with the 6'4" Swiss native by having an understanding of his game.

"I'm not putting pressure on myself," Berger told the Swiss Association. "My objective is to make the NHL, but I have to take it one step at a time. Of course I want to make it as soon as possible, but I have to remain patient."

In what will be his third season in North America, Berger knows his first task is to establish himself with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. He knows that to reach the next level, he'll need to have full confidence in his abilities and remain hungry, because, as he says, "if you don't want it and make it, then your neighbour will."

In describing what he brings to the table, Berger says he enjoys being a leader on a team. He sees himself as a powerforward who can play an energy role, but acknowledges the area where he must most improve is his skating. He tried to model his game after that of Peter Forsberg.

As we've mentioned before, in signing Berger, the Habs likely took another stab at acquiring a player of the type they thought Ian Schultz could be. A big body who can play a physical game and go to the net a la Tomas Holmstrom. Schultz struggled in his rookie season in Hamilton due in part to his poor skating ability, so it will be interesting to see how Berger fares in his pro hockey debut.

Markov Meets the Press in Brossard

As Habs fans anxiously await news out of Minnesota today surrounding tonight's NHL Entry Draft, Andrei Markov met with the Montreal media in Brossard today.

A good recap can be found here:

http://www.cjad.com/Blog/HabsNews/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10254547

Some GEM quotes from Markov...

Markov: "I was supposed to stay in Russia for two weeks, but I'm happy and comfortable (in Montreal) so I changed my ticket after 7 days."

Markov: "There's always a risk of injury; I play hockey, not chess."

Reporter: "Who's the first guy you're going to hit at your first practice?"

Markov: "Jacques Martin. I'm just kidding."

Reporter: "Will you be able to help mentor the young Alexei Yemelin?"

Markov: "I'm not the coach yet, I'm just a player. But if anybody asks me for help, I'm open to that."

Reporter: "Do you have a no trade clause?"

Markov: "Oh... I have no idea..."

Reporter: "Are you serious?"

Markov: "...Yeah..."

Reporter: "Will you be more cautious in the corners because of the last 2 injuries?"

Markov: "I will be more aggressive."

Reporter: "Were you not interested to test free agency to see what you could be worth on the open market?"

Markov: "It must be interesting but I'm happy here. Our crowd is the best crowd in the league, so every time I step on the ice I'm excited."