The Montreal Canadiens have dealt a major blow by signing winger Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets, but will it be a stroke of genius or a gloom?

• Read also: The Canadian responds to Patrik Laine

Only time will allow us to answer that question. In the meantime, here are five things you should know about the 26-year-old Finn.

He wanted to become a guardian

Laine began his hockey career at the age of 4. He played all positions, but his favorite position was goalie and he excelled at that position! He also wore the leggings and mask until 2010, at the age of 12.

“I wanted to be a goalkeeper, but my father didn’t give me the choice,” the outsider told the Finnish daily Ilta-Sanomat in 2018.

A fantastic Junior World Championship

About a year before the 2016 draft, Laine was ranked fourth on the vast majority of expert lists. However, the right-hander saw his rating skyrocket after an incredible performance at the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championships.

Seven goals and six assists for 13 points in seven games helped Finland win the gold medal. Bob McKenzie then placed him second on his list and that happened a few months later when the Winnipeg Jets selected him in the second round.

In addition, Laine is the fifth-best scorer of his generation with 388 points in 480 NHL career games. He is followed by Auston Matthew (649), Matthew Tkachuk (579), Alex DeBrincat (440) and Clayon Keller (418).

Addicted to Fortnite

In November 2018, Laine decided to take a break from the popular video game FortniteIt seems that the young man was very active on his console and that this affected his performance on the ice. There was even a rumor that he would take his Xbox with him on the trip to play at the hotel.

During the 12 games that followed his “detoxification” FortniteHe scored 18 goals and collected one assist.

The aid program

Laine’s 2023/24 season ended on December 14 due to a broken collarbone. A month and a half later, he signed up for the NHL and Tour Players Association assistance program.

“After taking a close look at the considerations and discussing them with those around me and the team, I realized how important it is to prioritize my mental health and well-being,” he explained on Instagram. Hockey was my passion and my life, but I realized that in order to be my best, I needed to take the time to focus on myself.

Laine left the program and was allowed to play again on July 26.

He gives something back to the community

Following the announcement of his exit from the grant program, Laine and his fiancée Jordan Leigh announced the launch of an initiative called “From Us To You” to help people with mental health issues.

The idea is to collect people’s stories and the tips and advice that have helped them cope, to raise awareness of mental health and provide additional resources to anyone who needs them.

In October 2023, Laine also announced that for every point he scored during the following campaign, he would donate $1,000 to the Ohio Health Foundation, which helps men suffering from mental health issues.

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