"He enabled me to excel"
Jan 25, 2003 5:52:10 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jan 25, 2003 5:52:10 GMT -5
José Theodore pays homage to Jeff Hackett
Mathias Brunet
La Presse
Montreal
Friday José Theodore delivered a heartfelt homage to Jeff Hackett. his partner in the past five seasons. Contrary to popular rumour, Theodore affirmed that he had a very solid relationship with the elder goalie.
"He helped me a lot in my career. I always felt that he was behind me. I appreciated his presence very much. When I was returned to Fredericton a few years ago under Alain Vigneault, he did not stop encouraging me, and said to me that I had everything to become a number one goalie. When things weren't going well for me at the beginning of the playoffs against the Bruins last spring, he telephoned me from his home in London (Hackett was on the injury list) to boost my morale."
"He supported me in the good times as well as in the bad times. Even if he played less often this year, he exerted good leadership on the team. I haven't had the chance to speak to him since the transaction, but I will. When I'm at the end of my career, near 40 years old, I will include him among the men who helped me the most, along with Roland Melanson and Vladislav Tretiak. He enabled me to excel."
Theodore is delighted for Hackett today. "I am really happy that he is on such a good team at this stage of his career. He didn't have it easy these past few years with the injuries, and I hope that he'll be able to benefit from his experience in Boston."
The Canadiens goalie is unable to explain the reaction of Canadiens' fans to this trade. "Even my friends react in the same way. He will be the number one goalie in Boston, but in any event, he becomes UFA in a few months and he could have signed with the Bruins this summer anyway. We would have lost him in any event. The Bruins already had a good club before acquiring his services."
Theodore will be busy until the end of the season. "He is our number one and Mathieu Garon, the best goalie in the American League, in my opinion, could replace him on occasion, when Theodore needs a little rest", confirmed Claude Julien without much surprise.
Pointless to announce the identity of the goalie for Saturday afternoon...
- translated from www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/article/1,154,1881,012003,189448.shtml
Mathias Brunet
La Presse
Montreal
Friday José Theodore delivered a heartfelt homage to Jeff Hackett. his partner in the past five seasons. Contrary to popular rumour, Theodore affirmed that he had a very solid relationship with the elder goalie.
"He helped me a lot in my career. I always felt that he was behind me. I appreciated his presence very much. When I was returned to Fredericton a few years ago under Alain Vigneault, he did not stop encouraging me, and said to me that I had everything to become a number one goalie. When things weren't going well for me at the beginning of the playoffs against the Bruins last spring, he telephoned me from his home in London (Hackett was on the injury list) to boost my morale."
"He supported me in the good times as well as in the bad times. Even if he played less often this year, he exerted good leadership on the team. I haven't had the chance to speak to him since the transaction, but I will. When I'm at the end of my career, near 40 years old, I will include him among the men who helped me the most, along with Roland Melanson and Vladislav Tretiak. He enabled me to excel."
Theodore is delighted for Hackett today. "I am really happy that he is on such a good team at this stage of his career. He didn't have it easy these past few years with the injuries, and I hope that he'll be able to benefit from his experience in Boston."
The Canadiens goalie is unable to explain the reaction of Canadiens' fans to this trade. "Even my friends react in the same way. He will be the number one goalie in Boston, but in any event, he becomes UFA in a few months and he could have signed with the Bruins this summer anyway. We would have lost him in any event. The Bruins already had a good club before acquiring his services."
Theodore will be busy until the end of the season. "He is our number one and Mathieu Garon, the best goalie in the American League, in my opinion, could replace him on occasion, when Theodore needs a little rest", confirmed Claude Julien without much surprise.
Pointless to announce the identity of the goalie for Saturday afternoon...
- translated from www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/article/1,154,1881,012003,189448.shtml