Two gamers captained the Montreal Canadiens for 10 years: the late nice Jean Beliveau and the Canadiens’ 70^th-overall decide’s father, Saku Koivu. Though the percentages he could be drafted had been excessive, Aatos Koivu determined to not go to the draft, preferring to not disturb his coaching. He may also miss the Canadiens’ growth camp beginning Tuesday, July 2. Right here’s what the crew’s codirectors of Novice Scouting thought of his choice, his response, and the way the Montreal followers reacted to that decide.

We Preferred the Participant, Not Simply the Title

Whereas Martin Lapointe and Nick Bobrov felt like Ivan Demidov was the steal of the draft, they appeared fairly satisfied about choosing Koivu with the primary of the crew’s two third-round picks.

Martin Lapointe defined:

We watched Aatos lots this season. He’s a accountable man on the ice, a man who may be very devoted to hockey. Clearly, his dad was additionally a participant, and Saku’s expertise has carried over to Aatos. We like how accountable he’s on the ice and he’s going to maintain bettering.

He additionally added that Koivu could be a middle within the NHL however would want to enhance bodily to get stronger, and the group was assured he might try this.

As for Nick Bobrov, he mentioned:

We preferred him as a participant no matter his final identify so we’ll begin with that. He’s a late blooming child, he began taking part in at U18 stage after which the whole lot got here at him actually quick at him U20, nationwide crew, TPS (Turku), professional video games and Liiga. So, for a child who was smaller only a week in the past and grew rapidly, there’s loads of progress potential. Clearly, his dad taught him properly, his habits are already professional, however the physique must develop. Our job is to challenge and challenge the physique and the place he can get to in 5 years.

Moreover, Bobrov talked about the younger man has lived in a family used to strain, and the younger Koivu is aware of what it’s about, and he would really feel comfy in Montreal.

Koivu Will Make His Personal Title

As for the Canadiens’ prospect, he mentioned:

Unreal feeling proper now. I’m tremendous tremendous glad, I can’t discover the phrases proper now to explain what I’m feeling however extraordinarily glad and excited. Montreal as a company and a metropolis the whole lot is simply unbelievable.  

I don’t suppose it’s going to be harder in any means as a result of I could make a reputation for myself, simply taking part in the way in which I can play and being myself and being one of the best participant potential. Clearly folks will know who my dad is and the place he performed and when and it’s all the time going to be that means in Montreal and I don’t suppose it’s a nasty factor and I’ll have the ability to make a reputation for myself there as properly and it’s not going to be any completely different than every other place.

The teen received some recommendation from Koivu senior. When requested what his father mentioned concerning the draft, Koivu defined his dad instructed him it didn’t matter who drafts you and when; what issues is that somebody drafts you. Nonetheless, he’s heard solely good issues about Montreal, the followers, town, and the Bell Centre, and he’s heard solely good issues from his household. So, he’s tremendous pumped they picked him.

Koivu describes himself as a two-way middle who can play responsibly in each instructions. He provides that his strengths are his skating, his shot, and his capability to learn the sport. As for who within the NHL most closely fits his fashion, he opted for Sebastian Aho. It appears to be like just like the Canadiens will lastly get an Aho….in a means.

How the Followers Reacted to the Decide

In Montreal, S. Koivu is a popular and revered participant. Despite the fact that he by no means took the Canadiens to a 25^th Stanley Cup, it wasn’t for lack of attempting. If some criticized him for not talking French, many followers couldn’t have cared much less about that. Total, followers maintain reminiscences of his dad near their coronary heart.

His dedication, abilities, and braveness within the face of adversity have cemented his fame as one of many greats in Montreal, and there have been many greats with the Canadiens previously 115 years.

Associated: Canadiens Can Add Subsequent Era of Koivu in 2024 NHL Draft

This may clarify why social media was ablaze with response after the Canadiens chosen the youthful Koivu. Even when most of them in all probability hadn’t even seen him play, it didn’t matter. The easy point out of the identify had them speaking, and 85% of the followers who replied to my do-it-yourself survey mentioned they had been proud of the decide. When Koivu lastly involves city, he’ll instantly expertise what strain is.