José Théodore on Carey Price and Jacob Fowler, Digi Mart USA News: Who better to understand a goaltender than another goaltender? While appearing on the RDS YouTube show “La game dans la game,” host Marc Denis welcomed his longtime friend José Théodore, who protected the Montreal Canadiens’ net for eight seasons before leaving for Colorado and eventually finishing his career after 648 regular-season games with five different teams.
Alongside co-host Bruno Gervais, Denis discussed several goaltending topics, including Carey Price’s induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Théodore recalled his first meeting with the No. 31 of the Canadiens at a Hockey Canada golf tournament 21 years ago.
He remembered most vividly the first training camp with Price, a few weeks after Théodore was drafted in 2005.
That period was the only time the two goaltenders overlapped with the Canadiens, but Price had not forgotten their brief encounter. At a recent Upper Deck promotional event, the two were asked to sign cards remotely that featured both goalies.
Price took the opportunity to tell Théodore how much he had appreciated his help back then. “He said, ‘I remember you at my first camp and at the golf tournament.
You were good to me. You made me feel comfortable.’ These are things that, today at 50, aren’t necessary, but they show what kind of man he is.
It warmed my heart,” Théodore said.
Théodore has faced or played alongside many great players who left a mark on him. He recalled the day Patrick Roy served as his backup, which he said was the only time it happened, laughing as he told the story.
Just as he had done for Price at his first camp, Théodore was in turn comforted by No. 33. In a preseason game lost 5-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers, Théodore played his first NHL minutes.
Discouraged after allowing three goals in the first period, the young goaltender remembered a brief conversation he had between periods with the legendary goalie. “It wasn’t much, but it helped me to know that he too had allowed three goals in his first game.
I then allowed two goals in the last two periods, but it convinced me that I was capable, though not yet ready for the NHL despite the improvements.”
When his first official game in the National Hockey League arrived, things happened quickly. Recalled urgently from his junior club in Hull of the QMJHL, Théodore arrived in Hartford at the last minute after a rapid flight with Molson Brewery executives on a private plane.
Arriving just in time to join the Canadiens, he went straight to the dressing room as the players were about to hit the ice for pregame warmups. Théodore quickly donned his uniform and reached the ice.
Serving as a backup and seated among the spectators at the Hartford Civic Center, Théodore was surprised of his life when Mario Tremblay called on him late in the third period after the Canadiens lost a 3-1 lead. Since things had been going well for the Tricolore before the third period and he did not expect to play, the young goaltender was caught off guard when he realized he had left his equipment in the dressing room as he was sent into the fray.
The player himself still laughs telling the story. “But I didn’t have my gear while Mario was asking me to go in.
If you look at the footage, you see me turn around as if I was scared, but I ran back to the dressing room. I later travelled with the club to New Jersey and I had more fun.
I was able to enjoy a practice and even the pregame warmup. And even though I didn’t play that second game, I enjoyed it more.”
Théodore expressed admiration for young goaltender Jacob Fowler, who he said shows a fascinating calm. He believes Fowler shows abilities superior to many other goalies.
“I see fewer holes in Fowler than in a 6’4″ goalie, for example, because he moves and doesn’t play like everyone else.”
“I think if the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup, it will be with Fowler in net,” Théodore added.
Gervais then asked whether Théodore would be interested in teaching his craft in turn. Théodore explained that he could work as a part-time goaltending analyst from a distance, without constant travel, but said he was not ready to make the sacrifices a coaching role demands.
“I’ve thought about it. I like watching goalies and seeing their development.
Joe Sakic called me when he was general manager. But the reality is that I’m as passionate about hockey as I am about life and my family.
So I don’t want to take on an adventure where I can’t invest 100%. If you do it, you go all in to give your best.
If you want to do that nowadays, I think it’s a year-round job.”
