Drouin vows he’ll be ready to play central role
Jonathan Drouin said he’s certain what position he’ll be playing when the Canadiens open their season on Oct. 3 in Toronto.
“It looks that way, for sure,” Drouin replied when asked if he would be playing centre. “I don’t make those decisions, but that’s where I played last year, and I feel comfortable coming in this year and knowing that I’m playing centre.”
There have been times when general manager Marc Bergevin and coach Claude Julien have wondered aloud whether Drouin would be better suited to playing on the wing. The team’s failure to upgrade the centre position and the decision to trade Alex Galchenyuk would suggest Drouin owns one of the two top spots by default, but an argument can be made that Drouin grew into the position as last season progressed.
“The last 25-30 games, I was having fun playing centre,” Drouin said during a break at the second annual Tournoi Kris Letang, a charity hockey tournament where NHL players mix with corporate types on the 3-on-3 ice surface at Hockey Etcetera. “I was enjoying it. I was winning more faceoffs, and that’s important because if you win the faceoff, you have the puck and it’s easier to play.”
Drouin said he’ll be better prepared for the challenge of playing centre this season.
“I took some vacation time to relax and get away from the city, but it’s back to the training,” Drouin said. “Last year I came into camp a little bit heavy and I was adjusting to the centre position. I really didn’t know how to prepare for it. Now, it’s easier for me, having played the position last year. I know what I have to do.
“It’s a combination of strength and quickness,” Drouin said when asked about the focus of his training.
“Sometimes you have a big guy and you have to play a heavy game. I definitely have to play with more speed than I did last year.”
Drouin said he hoped captain Max Pacioretty would be with the Canadiens when the season opens. Pacioretty has been a subject of numerous trade rumours and there has been no indication the Canadiens are interested in signing him to an extension when his current deal expires next July.
“Max is a goal scorer, a proven guy,” Drouin said. “You don’t want to lose a guy like that. He’s very good for our team.”
Letang, a Montreal native who has been a key part of three Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins, said the hockey tournament was a way to give back to his hometown. The inaugural event raised $50,000 and he hoped to double that amount this year.