In an exclusive interview with RG.org former Montreal Canadiens player of Patrick Roy trade fame Andrei Kovalenko had some advice for the Habs’ top prospect. While the Russian right winger only took part in 51 games with la Sainte-Flanelle, it was long enough for him to learn a few things about Montreal.
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Like most of his countrymen, Kovalenko is keeping an eye on Ivan Demidov’s career, and he had a few words of advice for the 19-year-old SKA St. Petersburg top scorer, based on his own experience in town. For him, it’s imperative that any Canadiens player embraces both the history and traditions of the NHL’s most storied franchise. He also added that Habs’ fans love it when you praise their team:
In Montreal, they love it when you praise the Canadiens. When I used to say I learned hockey in the best club in the world—CSKA—people looked at me strangely. You can’t do that there. For them, Montreal is hockey’s holy land. You have to truly appreciate and be proud of playing for that team.
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The former NHLer also adds that Demidov’s decision to start learning French even before coming to town bodes very well and is a true testament to his dedication for self-improvement, but also for his respect of the Montreal culture.
A Quebec Nordiques eight-round pick in 1990, Kovalenko spent three years playing in Quebec City before the team was moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche. With the team on the brink of success, former agent turned GM Pierre Lacroix, pulled the trigger on a blockbuster of a trade to land the final pieces that would allow his team to capture its first Stanley Cup. Unfortunately for Kovalenko he was one of the three players sent to the Canadiens, alongside Jocelyn Thibault and Martin Rucinsky, for Patrick Roy and Mike Keane.
The trade, which went down in Canadiens’ history as one of the worst deal ever made, was immediately loathed by fans, hardly winning conditions to start a new chapter of your career.
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