Carey Price has the full support of his fellow Canadiens

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The Canadiens’ Brendan Gallagher said he felt a lot of emotions after news broke Thursday that goalie Carey Price had entered the NHL / NHLPA player assistance program.

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“First of all, you’re a little surprised … and it’s strange to say a little disappointed because you’re surprised,” Gallagher said after the Canadiens lost their last preseason game 5-4 to the Ottawa Senators in a shootout Thursday. night at the Bell Center. “I consider (Price) a very good friend. I’ve known him for over 10 years and every time I’ve been through something, he’s been there to help me and I wish we could, or that I could do the same for him myself. It was something that a lot of people just weren’t aware of and you’re a bit disappointed that you couldn’t understand what he was going through and try to help him. But proud of him for making the decision he did. “

Price entered the player assistance program on a voluntary basis and will be absent from the team for at least 30 days. The Canadiens will open the regular season next Wednesday night in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.

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“We love to play hockey, we love this game,” Gallagher said. “But it takes a backseat on a lot of important things in life and then this takes the top priority. You’re proud of him for that decision, but you wish you could have done a little more for him. “

Gallagher noted that it was a brave thing for Price to openly ask for help, adding that it must have been a difficult decision to make and that the goalkeeper has the full support of his teammates.

“We need to be there for him,” Gallagher said. “He also has a lot of pressure outside of hockey. Puts a lot on your plate. So try to help him as much as you can. It is going to be difficult not only for him, but also for his family. I know we have a good relationship with him. Try to help as much as you can. You will be there for him and you will probably do a better job of reaching out and talking to him. Just his personality, the way he was, he was just expensive. You look back every day and he walked in with exactly the same look on his face and demeanor since I’ve known him. Obviously with today’s news, understanding what he’s been through is probably going to be a little more vocal to get closer and if there’s an opportunity to help him try to be better in that regard. “

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Like Gallagher, Jeff Petry is not only Price’s teammate, but also a good friend and their families are close too. Petry and Price have a wife and three young children at home. Petry said it can be difficult to combine hockey with family.

“Things are not always good here and there are times when there are ups and downs,” Petry said of playing for the Canadiens. “For me, it’s trying to park it when I walk out that door. Try not to take home any problems you have on the track. My children know what I do, but they do not know the pressure and the things that come and it is not fair for me that that enters the house and affects them ”.

Gallagher spoke about the respect Price has in the Canadiens locker room and how other players look up to him.

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“You look at him as some kind of Superman and it’s really unfair to put that on him just because he’s a good hockey player,” Gallagher said. “But it does so many things well. He handled all the situations that he has faced in this city, from the outside noise and the performances that he has been able to put on the ice taking into account what has been going on. You appreciate it so much more.

“The way it was … it was expensive,” Gallagher added. “He handled everything and when he was able to see himself and realize that he needed to make a decision to become a better man for himself, it was a surprise. But you fully respect him and it is a very brave decision he made. He has the highest respect of all this wardrobe. When we get him back, we’ll get him back, but for the moment he has to do what he has to do and that is the most important thing ”.

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When asked about the pressure Price has consistently faced during his 14 seasons as a goalkeeper with the Canadiens, Gallagher said: “I think it was probably a lot, a lot and it just piled on. It wasn’t something that just happened. I think it has probably been something that is being built and built.

“Being the goalkeeper in Montreal, this market is not easy,” added Gallagher. “It also comes with many benefits, of course. But doing what we do, no one really understands what you’re going through except your teammates and the coaching staff in that locker room and I think those are the people you should lean on. It will probably take a long time to get there … it’s definitely not an easy position and I don’t think anyone would be in a position to handle it better than Pricey. But right now he needs our support, he is receiving the help he needs and I am very proud of him for that, for making that decision ”.

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