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The big center, who was acquired by Montreal along with a first-round pick, has had two recent hip surgeries but says he’s healthy now.
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Pat Hickey • Montreal Gazette “My goal is to show up to camp and be ready to go from Day 1,” New Canadiens Sean Monahan said Thursday night. Photo by AL CHAREST /Postmedia News
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Sean Monahan says he’s looking forward to starting a new chapter in his career with the Canadiens.
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“I have a lot to prove and I want to prove it to myself,” Monahan said on a Zoom call hours after the Calgary Flames traded him to Montreal. “I know I’m a great player. It’s been a rocky road. I feel like myself again. I’m enjoying the game.”
Monahan didn’t enjoy the game the last two seasons. The sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft played through hip injuries that required surgery in 2021 and again last April.
“When you have the kind of injuries that I’ve had, they take a toll,” Monahan said. “Just to feel good again, to be on the ice, pushing yourself.
“It’s cool.” added. “This summer has been very important for me. I had surgery earlier than the year before. I worked a lot this summer. Right now, I’m on the ice four times a week.”
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Monahan said he experienced problems early in his career but overcame them.
“I probably could have fixed it a long time ago, but it was my personal choice to play it,” he said. “Finally it took its toll and I made it a priority to fix it and recover. It’s a good feeling and I’m back in high level hockey again.”
Monahan has some friends on the team. He played with Paul Byron in Calgary and practices daily with Jake Evans, who may have to move to wing to make room for Monahan at center. He said most of his new teammates have reached out to him and he’s anxious to meet them at training camp.
General manger Kent Hughes said he didn’t know if Monahan would be ready for the season opener, but Monahan was cautiously optimistic.
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“My goal is to show up to camp and be ready to go from Day 1,” he said. “If there are things that I feel will last, I don’t want any setbacks. I’ve done it many times and gone with it, but I’m going to try to be 100 percent healthy and feel good mentally and have a good season for the Montreal Canadiens.
In addition to Monahan, the Canadiens received a first-round draft pick in exchange for future consideration. The terms attached to the draft pick are complicated, but Montreal will get one of the following: Calgary’s pick in 2024, 2025 or 2026 or Florida’s pick in 2025 or 2026. They could also get the Calgary third round in 2025 or a fourth round. in 2026.
phickey@postmedia.com
twitter.com/zababes1
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Canadiens acquire Monahan from Flames, 1st round pick for future consideration
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‘Disheartening’: Canadiens price could miss entire season, GM Hughes says
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