Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL
This Friday in Brossard, Martin St-Louis abruptly cut the Canadiens’ practice short to deliver a very clear message to his players.
In the middle of the first drill, the head coach suddenly blew the sequence dead, called everyone back to center ice, and raised his voice. In the video filmed at the CN Sports Complex, you can clearly hear a few swear words and a visibly very impatient Marty.
The players formed a circle around their coach, heads down, and he spoke for a few seconds, without smiling, before the drill restarted in a much heavier silence. You could tell St-Louis was fed up with the day’s execution.
The context is particular. After 26 games, the Canadiens show a record of 14-9-3 for 31 points, right in the fight in the Atlantic Division. The team has just strung together a good stretch, including a 3-2 shootout win against the Jets, but the message is simple: nobody rests on their laurels.
Martin St-Louis sends a direct message to his players
Offensively, Nick Suzuki leads the charge with 8 goals and 23 assists, for 31 points and a +11 differential. Cole Caufield follows closely with 14 goals and 15 assists, for 29 points and a +6 differential. Even with these strong numbers, St-Louis demands that the intensity be at the same level in practice as in games.
Here is the video in question:
He also stopped practice for a second time!
“For a second time during practice, Martin St-Louis stops and speaks with the entire team. He does not seem satisfied with the players’ work along the boards. We see assistant coach Trevor Letowski and Mike Matheson also talking during this sequence.
Today’s practice is very focused on play in the defensive zone corners.”
– Patrick Guillet
At 50 years old, after 1,134 NHL games, 391 goals, and 1,033 points, the former number 26 knows very well what the pace of a season requires.
He has experienced very strict practices and does not hesitate to use that same kind of session when he feels the details are slipping away. When he blows a fuse, it’s not for show; it’s about the standard.
After his outburst, practice resumed, but with a visibly higher tempo and players much more focused between whistles. One thing is certain: this morning in Brossard, nobody needed coffee to wake up; Martin St-Louis took care of everything.
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Martin St-Louis losing patience and abruptly stops Canadiens practice twice in Brossard
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