Insider Says He Lost Respect for Multiple Canadiens Players Following 2022 Montembeault Incident
Photo credit: The Hockey Writers
An episode from a few seasons ago has resurfaced and still sparks a lot of reactions today within the Montreal Canadiens' circle.
At the time, Samuel Montembeault had just joined the organization, and clearly, his arrival had not impressed the entire locker room. An incident that occurred during a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers illustrates this perception well.
During this game, played behind closed doors due to health protocols, the young Montreal goaltender became the target of an altercation. Yet, none of his teammates on the ice defended him. The scene, unfolding in front of the media, left a disheartening impression. For many observers, this lack of reaction reflected a serious absence of solidarity within the group.
According to information reported by Renaud Lavoie, five players were on the ice at the time of the events. They were defensemen Jeff Petry and Brett Kulak, accompanied by forwards Ryan Poehling, Mike Hoffman, and Laurent Dauphin.
All were singled out for their inaction in this sequence, which negatively affected the team's image
"When he arrived, don't think that the Montreal Canadiens players were impressed by Samuel Montembeault against the Oilers, I was there, there were no fans in the building, it was right in front of me.
It's a good thing I was on TV and had to keep my cool, because honestly, I was furious seeing that nobody came to Samuel Montembeault's defense.. I don't have much respect left for the players who were on the ice at that time, in fact, I have none at all. I find what happened that day pathetic."
- Renaud Lavoie
It's a good thing I was on TV and had to keep my cool, because honestly, I was furious seeing that nobody came to Samuel Montembeault's defense.. I don't have much respect left for the players who were on the ice at that time, in fact, I have none at all. I find what happened that day pathetic."
- Renaud Lavoie
For Montembeault, this situation could have undermined his confidence at the start of his time in the Montreal uniform. Nevertheless, over the seasons, he managed to establish himself and earn the respect of his teammates thanks to his consistency and performances in net. His role within the organization is now much stronger, which stands in stark contrast to the time when he had not yet received the support he needed.
The episode, however, continues to cast a shadow over certain veterans who were with the Canadiens at the time. The fact that they did not step in to defend a teammate, especially a newly arrived goalie, remains a difficult act to explain. In a sport where cohesion and protecting your own are fundamental values, this moment remains etched as a symbol of a locker room lacking leadership.
Even years later, this sequence serves as a reminder that loyalty and mutual support can be just as crucial as talent in building a winning team.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 3 | 461 ANSWERS Insider Says He Lost Respect for Multiple Canadiens Players Following 2022 Montembeault Incident Do you agree with Renaud Lavoie? | ||
| Yes | 323 | 70.1 % |
| No | 138 | 29.9 % |
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