(Brossard) Josh Anderson admits to having had an extremely difficult campaign and says he must bounce back next season, for his teammates and his head coach Martin St-Louis.
After collections of 17, 19 and 21 goals in his first three campaigns with the Montreal Canadiens, the power winger was limited to nine goals this winter, even if he equaled a personal high by playing 78 games.
On some nights, Anderson seemed to be afflicted with the same misfortune as players like Artturi Lehkonen or Jan Bulis before him, when he allegedly failed to even take advantage of his scoring opportunities by shooting into a soccer net.
He scored his first goal of the season at his 25e match. After scoring six goals in 10 games, he ended up hitting the target only three other times in his last 44 games of the campaign.
“There was a lot of frustration,” Anderson admitted Wednesday, during the Canadian’s end-of-season review. I have never experienced this before in my career, facing such a shortage. »
St. Louis continued to show unwavering loyalty and trust in Anderson, despite his troubles on the ice.
“I now have a lot of time to think about all this,” said Anderson, whose contract is still valid for the next three seasons. I’m going to take a few weeks to clear my mind, spend time with family and friends. Then I will get back to work to become the player I know I can be again. »
Several other players spoke during this review day at the CN Sports Complex. Here are some more locker room stories.
Although general manager Kent Hughes said Samuel Montembeault had demonstrated qualities worthy of a number one goalie, the 27-year-old Quebecer is taking nothing for granted.
“It will be an important summer for me, on the physical side,” said Montembeault. There is never anything certain and it will be up to me to play well in camp next year. (…) We are two good goalkeepers (he and Cayden Primeau) and we have a good relationship. We want to help each other and push each other to help the team win. »
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Samuel Montembeault
Jake Evans stressed that the players had good reason to be optimistic about next season.
“It’s disappointing not to have played meaningful matches at the end of the season, but we can see the team’s progression, the growing confidence of the group,” said the 27-year-old Ontario striker. The way we finished the season should serve as a benchmark for the start of the next campaign. »
Defenseman Mike Matheson highlighted the team’s tenacity when asked what gave him confidence to see the group reach another level next season.
“We don’t stop working. We work, whether it’s the first game of the season or whether we’re playing a team we’re not supposed to have a chance against. There were all those games at the end of the season, when we were already out of the playoffs, or even when we were losing 6-2, we just couldn’t stop working. This is a very good quality for a team. »
Defenseman Chris Wideman missed the entire season with a back injury, but would not officially confirm his hockey career was over. However, it is unlikely that he will put on his skates again.
“It’s been difficult not being with the group every day,” said the 34-year-old veteran. It’s special for me to be part of a team and it’s been difficult. But I was able to spend more time with my family, which is also important to me. »
reference: www.lapresse.ca