MONTREAL – Being named captain at a young age is never easy, especially in a market like Montreal. Nevertheless, Canadian forward Nick Suzuki, who saw the “C” embroidered on his sweater in 2022, can rely on one of the best leaders of his generation: Shea Weber.
Obviously, Weber, himself a former captain of the Habs, is no longer around the team as often since he was forced to end his career due to multiple injuries, but that doesn’t mean not to say that he is no longer available to support his former teammate.
“I spoke to him in Toronto, and last night [vendredi] we talked over dinner and I was very clear with him in telling him not to be afraid to call me,” Weber said during a press conference at the Bell Center on the sidelines of the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Weber will be added to the Canadiens’ ring of honor before the game.
“There is no pressure, but I am there to listen to him if he needs to talk, even if he just wants to get out what is on his heart for 30 minutes,” continued the one who was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
It was at the age of 23 that Suzuki accepted the great responsibility of being captain of the CH. Weber knows exactly what his former comrade is going through, since he was named captain of the Nashville Predators at the age of 25.
And proof that the number 14 is totally in his place, Weber had indicated at the time to the general director of the team Kent Hughes that his choice to succeed him as captain was Suzuki.
“I told him, ‘Guys respect you. I had to learn, and Barry Trotz was very good to me about that. And the older ones also gave me the confidence to do it,” he said.
Legacy
Fans present at the Bell Center for the duel against the Blue Jackets will also have the chance to celebrate Weber, because the latter will be honored by the team just before the start of hostilities.
The Predators’ second-round pick in 2003 obviously left a great legacy in the city, but he left the fans to choose which one.
“That’s what they want, I guess,” said the colossus. “I came here putting all my heart into it and trying to win a Stanley Cup. Obviously, we were very close [en 2021] and it hurt. I did what I could to play with pride and give everything to the fans and the city.”
Weber also took his role as a big brother to his teammates to heart. It was one way among many for him to leave his mark.
“I had a lot of good veterans when I came into the league. As I got older, I was proud to help the younger ones. I wanted to be a role model for them.”
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