Price involved with new video game
Ubisoft locks out questions on hockey as goalie helps launch Assassin’s Creed III
When Ubisoft launched its new video game on Tuesday and announced a charity venture with Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, inevitably another topic surfaced.
About a minute into a scrum with reporters, Price faced questions about the National Hockey League lockout.
“I’m not that worried about it as of yet,” Price said.
The goaltender has had new opportunities during the lockout, like working with Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed.
“I feel like I’m in the best shape of my career right now,” Price said. “I haven’t played since March, so I’ve had a lot of time to prep for this coming season. As we move along I’m just trying to stay in game shape.”
When asked if he is thinking of staying here or going to Europe, Price said: “I’m not sure yet.”
Soon after, a public-relations official with Ubisoft interjected, telling reporters: “If there’s one more hockey question, we’ll stop everything.”
(Reporters had previously been told Price wouldn’t answer any questions about the lockout or hockey season, although when the questions came he did so obligingly.)
The video-gaming company launched Assassin’s Creed III, the latest instalment in its popular franchise, which has sold more than 38 million units. Set during the American Revolution, the new game features a hero who is of Native American and English descent.
“It’s pretty cool. It’s unique,” said Price, who also has some First Nations heritage.
“There’s not too many Native Americans that are depicted as a hero in too many video games,” he added.
“I am a little bit of a history nut, so I like the era that this game is depicted in.”
Price has played the previous versions of Assassin’s Creed and got a sneak peek at the latest instalment. It’s the type of video game he prefers over sports ones.
“I’m not a big sports guy on video games because I’m not as good in hockey in a video game as I am in real life, so I just get frustrated,” he said.
Ubisoft also announced a contest involving Price in partnership with TSN and RDS. People can vote online on the TV networks’ websites until Nov. 15 for their favourite Assassin’s Creed III-themed hockey mask that Ubisoft designed. The most popular of the three masks will be replicated 31 times and auctioned off through Hockey Helps, an organization that helps other groups reach their fundraising goals. The proceeds will go to various charities and the highest bidder from the 31 auctions will get to meet No. 31 on the Canadiens — Price.
Price just returned to Montreal following a two-week trip home to British Columbia that included wedding planning. Price and his fiancée no longer have Travis Moen and his family staying with them temporarily now that they’ve bought a home.
“I’m just going to resume training with my teammates,” Price said.
“We have ice sessions a few times a week. And I’m just going to keep plugging away at it.”