Pateryn, Carr ready to battle for ice time
Defenceman gives up No. 6 to newcomer Weber
When Greg Pateryn heard that the Canadiens traded P.K. Subban for Shea Weber, he knew that he would be wearing a new number this season.
Pateryn has been wearing No. 6, but that’s the number Weber has worn throughout his all-star career and Pateryn was wearing No. 8 as the Canadiens’ training camp opened Friday.
“He sent me a text message on the day he was traded,” said Pateryn. “I gave him 6, it wasn’t a big deal at all and I took the last single-digit number available. I sort of knew that he would want the number. He has been in the league a long time and it didn’t matter that much to me. “
Pateryn described Weber as “a great guy” although the two have yet to meet in person.
“With everything that was going on the day he was traded, he had the decency to go out of his way and text me to make sure he (let me know he) appreciated what I was doing for him.”
While Weber will be stepping into a leading role once his World Cup duties with Team Canada are over, Pateryn arrived in camp determined to fight for a regular spot in the lineup. He has a one-way contract and finished last season on a high note, but he understands that players are continually being asked to prove themselves.
“I look at the guys here at camp and there’s always going to be competition no matter who you are,” said Pateryn. “You can be established in the league for a while, but someone’s always trying to take your job. If you come to camp the same way you were the year before, you don’t take a step forward, you’re probably not going to make any progress. No matter where you are, every year you have to come in as a better player.”
Pateryn said he took time during the off-season to focus on his game and see where he could take something away from other players.
“I know what I’m capable of and sometimes it takes a little while to find your comfort level,” said Pateryn.
“Sometimes you have to get your mind set to get over that hump. I’m trying to play my game and sometimes it takes longer for some guys.”
Pateryn, 26, spent four seasons at the University of Michigan before turning pro and had a breakthrough last season when he played 38 games in the NHL, scoring one goal and adding six assists.
He has a one-way contract for the next two seasons, but that doesn’t guarantee him a spot in the top six or even a spot on the roster.
There are seven other defencemen with one-way deals and there is also first-round draft pick Mikhail Sergachev battling for a job.
Pateryn was involved in the camp’s opening scrimmage Friday and he complemented a solid defensive performance by joining the rush and scoring a goal in the Reds’ 2-0 win over the Whites.
Alexander Radulov, the free agent who is returning to the NHL after spending most of the past eight seasons in the KHL, scored on a penalty shot for the other goal. Both goals were scored on rookie Charlie Lindgren. Radulov impressed Pateryn with his oneon-one skills and his work ethic. He played on a line with Andrew Shaw and Brian Flynn, who was filling in for the absent Tomas Plekanec.
Sergachev missed practice and continues to be listed as day-today. He suffered an upper-body injury in the final game of the
rookie tournament last weekend in London, Ont.
Radulov travelled to Quebec City Friday night and was honoured at
the Quebec Remparts’ home opener. He led the team to the Memorial Cup in 2006.