ALL HABS | NHL TEAM | MONTREAL CANADIENS

Shocking statement about former Canadiens player Sergei Kostitsyn, who was a terrible human being according to Hal Gill

PUBLICATION

David St-Jean
December 11, 2023 (7:50 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Everyone remembers the Kostitsyn brothers, who often made headlines for the wrong reasons in Montreal. While the older brother was a first-round pick in 2003, still considered one of the Canadiens' worst draft mistakes, the younger brother joined the organization in the 7th round in 2005 and made his debut in 2007.

Although both Belarusians were very talented, they enjoyed indulging in the finer things. They were even associated with questionable individuals in Montreal.

One might think that if their off-ice behavior was visibly awful, they must have been at least good teammates. For Andrei, I haven't heard too many negative comments, but for Sergei, it's a different story.

During an episode of the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, Hal Gill was willing to comment on his relationship with the younger of the two brothers during their time in Montreal:

"He was a horrible person in Montreal. He was a bad teammate, a bad person. When I ran into him in Nashville, I didn't want anything to do with the guy."

Indeed, the two players crossed paths later in Nashville, but something had changed in the attitude of the former number 74 of the Habs. Barry Trotz had done significant work with him, to the point that Gill didn't recognize him anymore.

"He comes up to me: 'Hey, how's it going? How are you?' I immediately thought, 'Okay, this can't be him.' We had a conversation. And he was really playing well in Nashville."

According to the former giant-sized defenseman, Barry Trotz, then the coach in Nashville, sat down every morning with Sergei and his bowl of cereal to chat, plain and simple. His efforts paid off as the player became a better person, and his production improved.

It goes to show that it's never too late to accept the lifelines offered to us. I would have hoped to hear the same about Mike Ribeiro.

Previously on All Habs

MAJOR: Kent Hughes makes an incredible statement about young Lane Hutson and his arrival in Montreal

Imminent trade involving Jake Allen from the Canadiens: it's becoming clear that he will be heading to Edmonton

Troubling publication about the Montreal Canadiens, and it raises many questions

POLL
DECEMBRE 11 \| 195 ANSWERS Shocking statement about former Canadiens player Sergei Kostitsyn, who was a terrible human being according to Hal Gill Do you think Barry Trotz should have remained a head coach?
Yes	140	71.8 %
No	55	28.2 %
List of polls

Shocking statement about former Canadiens player Sergei Kostitsyn, who was a terrible human being according to Hal Gill

Do you think Barry Trotz should have remained a head coach?