Montreal Canadiens sniper Cole Caufield was interviewed on Montreal radio station BPM Sports this morning. Many topics were discussed, but what stood out for me was how he spoke about his coach, Martin St-Louis.
Asked where his current coach ranks amongst all the coaches he’s had in his life, Caufield said:
You know, probably one, I think. It doesn’t get much better than that. Obviously looking up to a guy like that growing up and then getting to see how he guides you and teaches you. He’s probably different than many coaches, but I think he gets a lot out of his players; he’s well-respected, and the practices are fun, too.
– Cole Caufield on his coach Martin St-Louis
When Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton decided to hire St-Louis, a man who had never been a bench boss in the NHL, some believed he’d just be around to finish the season. Then they changed their tune to “he won’t be there when this team is ready to make the playoffs” after he was signed to a three-year contract. The Canadiens are battling hard for a ticket to the Spring dance, and the Hall of Famer is still leading his players after the Habs exercised their two-year option to extend the coach.
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A coach who has never played in the NHL and is a career coach might have had trouble getting respect from his players, but it’s impossible for his players not to respect St-Louis. He’s been in their skates and has lived their dream up to the ultimate goal.
Unlike old-school coaches, he’s well-equipped to coach today’s players. He doesn’t have a “you’re going to do what I tell you to do, and that’s that” approach. He doesn’t mind explaining to his players why he’s asking them to play a certain way. He doesn’t run a dictatorship; he runs a nurturing environment in which everyone can learn, regardless of age.
Earlier this week, St-Louis also told the press that it’s very easy, to be honest with players and to “tell them your truth,” another characteristic of his that Caufield said was appreciated, especially in a business where there’s always a younger guy ready to step up and take your spot.
There’s no better example of St-Louis’ ability to coach than how he got Josh Anderson to embrace his new role on the team and how successful he is. If you ask me, St-Louis is there for the long haul, and he’s told the media in the past he’d do anything to get the Canadiens, his dad’s favorite team, a 25th Stanley Cup. It won’t be this year, but the coach showed in his playing career that he’s not one to give up, and that hasn’t changed.
The Canadiens have a day off today but they’ll be back in action on Saturday night as they’ll welcome the Colorado Avalanche at the Bell Centre in another must-win tilt.
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