Ethan Gauthier and Mathieu Cataford are surprised to have seen their Canadian fans turn against them at the last World Junior Hockey Championship, and some crossed the line.
The dust is gradually settling on the unexpected and disappointing fifth place on the maple leaf in Ottawa. Particularly on social networks, incendiary comments came from all sides.
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“It’s sad what some guys received as messages, in private and on social networks,” explained Gauthier, in an interview Monday evening, on the Instagram page of the editor-in-chief of Hockey The MagazineSimon Bédard.
“We see them, the messages, we’re not crazy. It’s a little disappointing to see your fans turn against you, added the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect. […] I think people don’t realize the full impact it can have on people.”
For these young people under 20, most of whom have not yet reached the professional ranks, it is an ordeal that forces them to quickly build a shell.
Directly after the loss in the quarter-final against the Czech Republic, the head of communications for Junior Team Canada advised the players “to stay away from their cell phones,” indicated Gauthier and Cataford.
-Kevin Dube
A break that feels good
The two Quebecers did well in their supporting role, which somewhat shielded them from criticism. On the other hand, Cataford felt targeted by fans, since several of them would have liked to see different attackers within the team.
“After the tournament, you still think about it for a few days. I returned home for a week. It felt good to rest,” admitted the Rimouski Océanic player.
For Gauthier, the result was difficult to digest, but he wants to focus on the positive. Participating in the World Juniors remains a special experience in a hockey player’s journey.
“It’s hard to digest. I had trouble sleeping soundly for a few nights, he admitted. […] We were so much better than what the world thought and what we showed.”
The two young men are now focusing on the second half of the season in the QMJHL, while keeping this sadder episode of their early career in mind.
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