Rallying hymns for a fatigued combatant
In the pulsating climax of the playoffs, the Canadiens warmly welcomed David Savard into the annals of hockey history. After a nail-biting series, players from both the Canadiens and the Washington Capitals, even the refs, embraced him, as the final siren rang out.
Savard, a 34-year-old Quebecer, had already announced that these would be his final games in professional hockey. After 870 regular season games and 62 more in the playoffs, with a body battered by countless hits and thousands of blockedshots, it was time to hang up his skates.
With tears in his eyes, he was showered with accolades on the ice. In the bowels of the Capital One Arena, he declined the invitation to speak to journalists immediately, but he was seen, beer in hand, deep in conversation with Pierre-Luc Dubois, a protege who became a friend when Dubois' first steps with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017. The full circle was complete in a way: Dubois started his career with Savard, while Savard ended his against Dubois.
"He's like a brother to me," Dubois told reporters in the Capitals' locker room. "He's more than a friend. His wife and kids have become my family. [...] I'm extremely proud of what he's accomplished in his career. I'm really happy to be with him for this last game. "
Respect was everywhere, as we said. During the post-game handshakes, Alexander Ovechkin took a moment to speak with Savard.
"I told him: maybe another year?", Ovechkin recounted at the end of the evening. "He had a great career, he won the Stanley Cup... He's an excellent player. "
Seeing a guy like Ovi give him a hug and talk to him, I think that says a lot. It's an excellent player respecting an excellent defenseman.
Coach Spencer Carbery was amazed to see Savard throw himself in front of Ovechkin's shots over and over again.
"I couldn't even say how many times," Carbery said, moved. "He left everything on the ice. It was an honor to compete against him. "
In the Montreal camp, Martin St-Louis also spoke of the "honor" of having directed "this man."
"Our young people wouldn't be where they are without a David Savard," St-Louis added. "He's a professional who sets an example for all the young people growing up in our culture. "
In the Canadiens' locker room, the emotion was palpable.
Nick Suzuki expressed gratitude for playing alongside a first-class guy who had left his mark on them all. "He's someone I have always relied on and gone to when I needed help," he said.
Gallagher called Savard an inspiration, highlighting the veteran's role in making the locker room a place players wanted to be. "He made us better, showed us what it means to be a professional," he said.
"He gave his heart and soul for us, that's the kind of thing that goes around the league," added Jake Evans. "People respect players who go to tough areas, block shots, and are hard to play against."
Alexandre Carrier concluded, "I know he said his body was starting to give out, but all year, he kept pushing to help the team find success."
With 14 years in the NHL, during which he blocked a total of 1,765 shots, the warrior can now rest. His chorus of praise confirms that he can retire in peace, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering team spirit.
- Savard, a Quebecer, testifies that his career in professional hockey, spanning 932 games and marked by numerous hits and blocked shots, is coming to an end.
- Alexander Ovechkin, in the post-game handshakes, says he suggested to Savard, heading towards retirement, that he might consider one more year.
- Martin St-Louis, coach of the Canadiens, says that the team's young players wouldn't be where they are without David Savard, who sets a professional example for them.
- Alexandre Carrier points out that even though Savard's body was giving out, he continued to push all season to help the team find success, demonstrating unwavering team spirit and dedication.
