Canadiens Notebook: Management stresses compete level to prospects

Edmonton Journal

3 days ago

Compete level is something Canadiens management will be harping on as their rebuilding project heads into Year 4.
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'I think everyone's talking about size and Washington and the way they played,' Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens' executive vice-president of hockey operations, said after the Canadiens lost to the Capitals in five games in the first round as the youngest team to make the NHL playoffs. 'Certainly, we're aware of that and as we move forward (GM Kent Hughes) and I had a lot of discussions about this … size.
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'Compete is really the biggest thing,' Gorton added. 'Making sure we have people that are comfortable in a playoff environment to play in all situations.'
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Compete level is something that was stressed during the Canadiens' three-day development camp, which wrapped up Thursday at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard with 31 prospects taking part.
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'Did you watch the playoffs?' Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player development, asked when he met with the media after Thursday's scrimmage. 'Holy smokes, especially that final. That was living colour. And so, yes, that was a big, big part of the message and I think the compete was very good out there today. Yesterday it was good. We were one day shorter in camp than we've previously been and I think that helped the energy level.'
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Hayden Paupanekis is a 6-foot-5, 203-pound centre the Canadiens selected in the third round (69th overall) of last week's NHL Draft. He definitely adds size and also realizes the importance of compete level.
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'If guys compete, you can do anything,' said Paupanekis, who had 22-21-43 totals in 71 games last season split between the WHL's Spokane Chiefs and Kelowna Rockets. 'Kind of like what they're telling us after practice and before and in the video room, they're saying: 'You got to compete. If you're not competing, you won't be sitting in a (Canadiens) jersey or in the dressing room.' So going forward, just my little habits and everything I do is really big and just trying to compete to get to the next level.'
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