The goalkeeper Quentin Miller grew up idolizing Carey Price. Selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round of the draft on Thursday, he now intends to achieve what his role model has not been able to accomplish: bring the 25th Stanley Cup back to the city.
The Quebec Remparts goaltender was not in Nashville, uncertain about being selected. So, he watched the draft from his living room with his family.
"The Canadiens, that's the team I've been watching since I was a kid. It's because of Carey Price that I became a goaltender. Being part of this organization is an incredible honor. I used to watch all their games when I was young, and it's surreal to think that I'm now a member of their organization."
When asked why Carey Price inspired him to become a goaltender, Miller laughs and changes his mind.
"Well, actually, I started playing goalie because of my two older brothers. We always played mini-hockey, and they would put me in front of the net because I was the youngest. Later on, Carey Price became my role model because he is calm, confident, and athletic. So, I started because of my brothers, but it was Price who motivated me to keep going."
Being part of the solution
The Canadian team filled up on goaltenders on Thursday. First, they selected Jacob Fowler in the third round, Miller at the end of the fourth round, and then Russian netminder Yevgeni Volokhin.
"My goal is to help the team win the Stanley Cup. Even though Price didn't do it, he is a generational goalie, a legend. My goal is to be like him, but to win a cup."
A season of learning
If he wasn't in Nashville, it's because he wasn't sure if he would be claimed due to the fact that he didn't play many games last season. As an assistant to William Rousseau with the Remparts, he only played 20 games in the regular season before watching the entire playoffs from the bench.
"I was aware that there were several factors that could work against me, and I tried to have as few expectations as possible. I told myself that if I wasn't drafted, it didn't mean it was the end.
"However, I learned a lot last season. I saw what it meant to be a professional by being around several veterans like Justin Robidas and Nathan Gaucher. In practice, the guys were strong! I gained a lot of experience and improved several technical aspects."
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