Since then, their recalls of Laval Rocket, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Alex Bezlile have had great moments with the big club. Former Montreal Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien sees their arrival as a “breath of fresh air” for the CH.

Obviously, the chance presented to his two players wouldn’t be possible if they didn’t instill confidence in the coaching staff. All it takes is one person on the team who believes in a youngster.

“The most important thing is to really believe in someone,” Therrien told TVA Sports before the game against the Senators.

Back when he was running the Habs school club in Fredericton, the former instructor received calls from Alain Vigneault to find out who the school club’s best defender was. He did not hesitate to mention the same name: Francis Bouillon.

“He always told me he’s almost your adopted son. I said to him, “Listen, Alain. It’s my best!” he said. He played with his heart so much and I knew where he came from. I always liked the hockey player and the person.

Then Therrien shared a reminder of Paul Byron, whom the CH had claimed on waivers in October 2015.

“We were first in the National League, so 29 teams got over it. I saw him arrive in Edmonton with his hockey bag. I immediately called Marc Bergevin and told him “I think you’re the wrong guy!” because he was very small.

“We didn’t play him in the first game. In the second game in Calgary, he had three breakaways. He’s had a great career with the Canadiens.”

The example of St-Louis

If anyone knows how important it is to encourage and motivate the next generation, it’s Martin St-Louis. At the beginning of his career, the current bleu blanc rouge pilot was waiting in the organization Calgary Flames for his assignment in the American League. Therrien felt he deserved better when he saw him in action.

“He really was the best Flames player in St. John’s, New Brunswick. Nothing bothered him. We tried to intimidate him and he didn’t mind. We all know the career he had.

“He didn’t stand a chance in Calgary. It took a guy like Rick Dudley in Tampa to provide an opportunity.”

See Michel Therrien’s intervention in the video above.