Here is the transcript of the interview I had with Montreal Canadiens defenseman Josh Gorges last week as he watched Rockets practice at Prospera Place.Does it feel odd watching Rockets training camp?
"You know what, it seems like it was just yesterday to be honest. It doesn't feel like it's been five years since I played here. Coming back, you see all the guys and their are still a lot of familiar faces around here when I was here. Training camp is an exciting time. I remember how I felt when I was here trying out for the team, and it's a big deal to be playing in the Western Hockey League and for the Kelowna Rockets."
You signed a three year deal this summer with the Canadiens. Some would say the weight has been lifted off your shoulders now that you have a deal in your pocket, or has the weight now increased as you want to prove to the Canadiens they made the right decision?
"I think you always have to prove yourself. Every year you have to prove yourself that you belong there and you deserve to get what you are being paid. But it definitely comes with some security signing a three year deal, and now in a lot of ways you can just go out there and play, and don't have to worry about putting on a show or doing things that you normally wouldn't do to impress people. You are locked up, you have your contract set, so now it's just all about business and doing what you can to help your team win".
Being a Western Canadian, what are your thoughts about playing in Montreal?
"It's fantastic. I wasn't sure what to expect. You hear stories about the Montreal Canadiens and how big they are and the franchise and the history that comes with it. I think after spending a full season there you really realize that it's more than just a game to the city of Montreal. To the fans of Montreal it's big time. They believe in the team...it's like a religion there. The fans go crazy. Everywhere we go we are recognized, so it's a great feeling being part of that team when you look up into the rafters and see all the Stanley Cup banners and all the retired jersey's. No where else in the game of hockey will you ever find that."
How's your french?
"I can get away with it. Everyone there speaks English so it's easy to get away with. But I almost wish that it was all french so I would practice it more. That is something I would like to do this year is learn more french".
Any words of wisdom for Rockets defenseman Luke Schenn heading into his first NHL training camp in a hockey crazed city like Toronto?
"I talked to Luke about that after he got drafted. You go there and their is going to be a lot of attention, especially because he was the first pick for them in the first round. With the year that Toronto had everybody's looking for the future and their are going to be a lot of people asking questions about him. I told him you can't listen to what other people say. Their will always be doubters. Their will always be the naysayers. If you let it get to you it will eat you alive. Go there with a good attitude and the reporters will respect you for that and you won't have any problems".
"You know what, it seems like it was just yesterday to be honest. It doesn't feel like it's been five years since I played here. Coming back, you see all the guys and their are still a lot of familiar faces around here when I was here. Training camp is an exciting time. I remember how I felt when I was here trying out for the team, and it's a big deal to be playing in the Western Hockey League and for the Kelowna Rockets."
You signed a three year deal this summer with the Canadiens. Some would say the weight has been lifted off your shoulders now that you have a deal in your pocket, or has the weight now increased as you want to prove to the Canadiens they made the right decision?
"I think you always have to prove yourself. Every year you have to prove yourself that you belong there and you deserve to get what you are being paid. But it definitely comes with some security signing a three year deal, and now in a lot of ways you can just go out there and play, and don't have to worry about putting on a show or doing things that you normally wouldn't do to impress people. You are locked up, you have your contract set, so now it's just all about business and doing what you can to help your team win".
Being a Western Canadian, what are your thoughts about playing in Montreal?
"It's fantastic. I wasn't sure what to expect. You hear stories about the Montreal Canadiens and how big they are and the franchise and the history that comes with it. I think after spending a full season there you really realize that it's more than just a game to the city of Montreal. To the fans of Montreal it's big time. They believe in the team...it's like a religion there. The fans go crazy. Everywhere we go we are recognized, so it's a great feeling being part of that team when you look up into the rafters and see all the Stanley Cup banners and all the retired jersey's. No where else in the game of hockey will you ever find that."
How's your french?
"I can get away with it. Everyone there speaks English so it's easy to get away with. But I almost wish that it was all french so I would practice it more. That is something I would like to do this year is learn more french".
Any words of wisdom for Rockets defenseman Luke Schenn heading into his first NHL training camp in a hockey crazed city like Toronto?
"I talked to Luke about that after he got drafted. You go there and their is going to be a lot of attention, especially because he was the first pick for them in the first round. With the year that Toronto had everybody's looking for the future and their are going to be a lot of people asking questions about him. I told him you can't listen to what other people say. Their will always be doubters. Their will always be the naysayers. If you let it get to you it will eat you alive. Go there with a good attitude and the reporters will respect you for that and you won't have any problems".
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