Alex Burrows breathed a sigh of relief when Martin St-Louis was confirmed as the Canadiens’ head coach and indicated his desire to keep his assistants.
At least that’s what he said in an interview with Jean-Charles Lajoie on Friday.
“I am really happy. We can see where the new organization wants to go. They want to continue to grow our young players and develop as much as possible to be successful for several seasons. Martin is passionate. He is really good with the team and with the young players. Continuing to learn with him to eventually help the Montreal Canadiens win a Stanley Cup is great for me. I can’t wait for us to start again in September.”
Until then, the former Canucks and Senators player is closely following everything that happens in connection with the draft which will be presented in Montreal in a little less than a month.
“I love it. I will do everything to be there. I remember the last repechage in Montreal. I had arranged to attend it in the Canucks dressing room. By having the first choice, this year, there should be electricity in the air. It will be super exciting. Regardless of the player who will be selected, I am sure he will be an excellent player who will help us for the future.
The Canadiens assistant coach has also done his homework to find out more about the player he will likely have the chance to coach at next training camp.
“I watched Juraj Slafkovsky a bit at the World Championship, but I didn’t watch it in as much detail as our scouts. I watched Shane Wright in the OHL playoffs a bit too, and I did the same with Logan Cooley. It looks like it will be one of those three players, I imagine. They seem to be on every scout’s list. Either way, he’s going to be a great player that we’re going to draft and I’m looking forward to working with him in September.”
Burrows also wanted to take the opportunity to offer his support to his former colleague Joël Bouchard who was recently fired by the Anaheim Ducks organization.
“I talked to him. He was going to Florida to go fishing and let the dust settle. He should be back in the next few days. He seemed to be fine, but we didn’t go into details. I can’t wait to see him again and go to dinner with him to have more news. I’m not worried, there are so many positions open right now in the National League and in the American League. I’m sure he will get back on his feet and the team that will hire him will be happy to have him.
Watch the interview in the video above.