2023-05-28 20:07:18
KAMLOOPS | Seattle Thunderbirds head coach Matt O’Dette never played in the NHL, but he almost did at a time that captured the imagination of Montreal Canadiens fans.
Back in time: On April 25, 2002, Boston Bruins defenseman Kyle McLaren served a vicious center-ice check to Montreal Canadiens forward Richard Zednik with 1:17 left in the fourth game of the series between the two teams, which the Habs then led 3-0.
The meeting ends in tumult and the Bruins prevail to force the holding of a fifth game, in Boston. McLaren then becomes public enemy no. 1 and the tension rises between the two teams.
After the game, Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien assured that his team would also target the best elements of the Bruins in the next game, remarks which earned him a fine of US$30,000 and which forced the commissioner of the NHL, Gary Bettman, to serve a warning to both teams to ensure that no outflanking occurs.
Called back for revenge
Before game five, the Canadiens recalled a 6’5” and 228 lb colossus, renowned for his boxing skills: Matt O’Dette. The latter was already in the team’s entourage, he was part of the “Black Aces”, these players who follow the team in the playoffs as a preventive measure.
“I remember after the match, André Savard [le directeur-général des Canadiens à l’époque] was in the hallway and he was like, ‘Where’s O’Dette? Where is O’Dette? You’re coming with us to Boston!’” he recalls with a laugh.
“I then started training with the main group and there was a certain buzz around the fact that I would probably play since the team wanted revenge. I was really nervous! My whole family was glued to their televisions. »
Finally, O’Dette participates in the warm-up period but does not take part in the meeting and the match takes place without too many overflows. The Canadians ultimately won the series in six games before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in the next series. O’Dette will not play any games with the team.
Transition to coaching role
O’Dette ultimately played no games in the NHL and then, in 2009, decided to transition to the role of player-coach with the Stockton Thunder of the East Coast League (ECHL). He will then make his classes before becoming the head coach of the Thunderbirds, in 2017-2018.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“It was a natural progression for me. I had been the captain of my teams for several years, at the end of my career and this was the next step. I had been preparing for it all my life. The most difficult thing for a coach is to get an opportunity and as soon as it presented itself, I took it. »
After participating in the Memorial Cup as an assistant with the Thunderbirds in 2017, he is now back there as a team driver with the objective, unlike 2017, of leaving with the prestigious trophy.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“I’ve been playing junior hockey for ten years and this is my second participation in this tournament. Nothing can be taken for granted. We have an opportunity to achieve something big and we want to seize it. »
The Thunderbirds will play their second game of the tournament against the Quebec Remparts on Monday night.
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