Stu Cowan: Canadiens' Nick Suzuki is having fun with summer season within the metropolis

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There was a time when many of the Canadiens gamers would keep in Montreal in the course of the low season.

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The Canadiens even had a summer season softball staff that may tour throughout Quebec — and past — giving followers an opportunity to satisfy the gamers up shut.

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“The late, nice Claude Mouton (the staff’s former public-relations director) would manage that staff each summer season,” recalled former Canadien Chris Nilan, who performed 10 seasons in Montreal and was a part of the 1986 Stanley Cup staff. “We’d have about 10 guys each summer season. I keep in mind we went out to B.C. as soon as and went via the Okanagan Valley. We’d have a blast. It was plenty of enjoyable.

“It was totally different again then,” Nilan added. “There was no free company (or wage cap) so we stayed collectively and bonded as a staff. Definitely had that family-type ambiance. It was nice for staff bonding with guys getting collectively all summer season. It wasn’t like: ‘I’ll see you subsequent yr.’ Guys had been round on a regular basis.”

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Practically all the present Canadiens go away Montreal as soon as the season is over and head to their summer season houses. However for the second straight yr, captain Nick Suzuki has determined to spend summer season within the metropolis.

After I requested Suzuki on the finish of the season what his plans had been for a second summer season in Montreal, he mentioned: “Most likely simply golf and get a listing of eating places to strive. All of the festivals and F1 (the Canadian Grand Prix). It was plenty of enjoyable final yr. The staff does a very good job of serving to us get to all these occasions. So I’m excited once more.”

On Sunday, Nilan had an opportunity to golf with Suzuki and teammate Kaiden Guhle on the Royal Montreal membership. Nilan lives on Montreal’s West Island and now works as an envoy for the Canadiens.

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“He’s a younger child who has actually come into his personal,” Nilan mentioned about Suzuki. “It reveals management being round right here all summer season to be a part of the group, to be a part of the material of that group. Folks completely love Nick and he’s proven himself to be out there. He’s not simply choosing up on the finish of the season and saying: ‘I’ll so long. I’ll be again in a few months.’ I feel that claims so much about him as an individual, but in addition because the captain of this staff.”

It will likely be fascinating to see transferring ahead if Suzuki can persuade extra of his younger teammates to spend at the least a part of the summer season in Montreal.

Suzuki was interviewed Monday on TSN 690 Radio and was requested about his determination to spend a second summer season in Montreal.

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“Everybody all the time says that the summer season in Montreal is type of enjoyable and so much totally different than what it’s in the course of the winter,” he mentioned. “I simply needed to expertise that for myself. I like town right here. It was a ton of enjoyable final yr and I’m wanting ahead to a different nice summer season. We positively have a few extra guys sticking round, so I’m wanting ahead to it.

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“I prefer it so much,” Suzuki added about assembly followers in the course of the summer season. “Everybody’s tremendous respectful. They simply wish to come say hello and meet you. I like to satisfy the followers exterior of the rink. I’m all the time keen to talk and take pictures and stuff. I feel it’s simply a part of the enterprise. Folks wish to meet you. They get to see you on TV, however to work together with you in particular person is certainly a unique feeling for them.”

Suzuki had some encouraging information for followers who is likely to be anxious about Cole Caufield’s contract scenario with the potential for him turning into an unrestricted free agent this summer season after scoring 26 targets in 46 video games earlier than struggling a season-ending shoulder harm that required surgical procedure.

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“I speak to him on a regular basis, simply not about his contract,” Suzuki mentioned about Caufield. “I attempt to go away him alone. It should get finished when it will get finished. I’m not too anxious about it. I don’t suppose folks should be anxious about it. It’s a part of the enterprise and we’ve bought a very long time earlier than the season begins.”

Suzuki is the one Canadien to play in all 82 video games in every of the final two seasons and he led the staff in scoring this season with 26-40-66 totals, setting profession highs in targets and factors. He took a cross on enjoying for Group Canada on the current IIHF World Championship, saying he was “banged up somewhat bit” and will use a relaxation.

Taking part in golf and consuming at some good Montreal eating places looks like a great way to do this. Suzuki mentioned he took a few month off after the season ended, however is again coaching now for subsequent season.

“I liked being in Montreal in the course of the low season,” Nilan mentioned. “It’s simple to get refocused to return again into the subsequent yr. It’s only a excellent place to stay, too.”

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