Jonathan Drouin Talks Move To Avalanche At His Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Jonathan Drouin may have moved from the Montreal Canadiens to the Colorado Avalanche during NHL free agency this summer, but he’s still giving back to the community in Montreal.

Speaking at his annual charity golf tournament on Tuesday, Drouin discussed leaving the Canadiens, as well as his move to the Avalanche.

Drouin admitted he and Montreal did discuss a potential extension, but it ultimately did not make sense for either side. The Canadiens are rebuilding, and Drouin mentioned how important it was for him to go to a winning team.

Enter: The Colorado Avalanche.

Another factor? Pressure. The spotlight won’t be on him in Colorado like it was on the Canadiens.

“In Colorado, it’s going to be more relaxed, it’s not the same pace,” Drouin said. “There’s a little less media, a little less stuff going on. The Avalanche won the Cup two years ago… so I’m going to play with a really good team, and I think it will also do me good to play with a team that has a chance to make the playoffs , maybe more. The city there, Nathan… there were several good reasons for me to go there.”

No kidding about the media. On a standard Avalanche practice day during the regular season, there are maybe 8-10 media members present. I can’t say I’ve been in the Montreal locker room, but I have to imagine they have at least twice as many media members present every day. It’ll be a very different situation in Colorado, and that extends off the ice. He’ll be a lot more anonymous here.

Drouin also discussed the other big reason he ended up in Colorado – Nathan MacKinnon. The two, of course, played together a decade ago in Halifax, and MacKinnon played a big role in the Avalanche signing Drouin.

“He was my driver at school! If Nathan didn’t get up to go to school, I didn’t go to school either! He was the one who decided if I went to school in the morning,” Drouin said. “We spent some great years together at school and at the arena. I’m glad to see him again and play with him again 10 years later.”

With training camp starting in a little over three weeks, one would have to imagine they’ll begin on a line together. Why else would you bring Drouin in? Who knows if it will work out, but it will be fun to watch at the start of camp, at least.

Drouin also discussed other things, like his overall time in Montreal, as well as being a Quebec-born player playing on the Canadiens. You can read the full article here.