Last Sunday, the Montreal Canadiens had the day off, but four of their Olympian players made an appearance on one of Quebec’s most popular talk shows. For about 15 minutes, July Slavkowski, Nick Suzuki, Alexandre Texier, and Oliver Kapanen took questions from Guy A. Lepage. While the interview wasn’t revolutionary, it did bring up some notable points.
They were asked how they would feel about competing against each other at the Olympics. Suzuki responded that it wouldn’t be unusual for them, as they frequently face off against friends and former teammates in the NHL. When questioned about choosing between winning the Stanley Cup or an Olympic gold medal, Texier joked that the Cup seemed more attainable since he plays for France, earning laughs from the audience. Nonetheless, all four players ultimately said they would prefer winning the Stanley Cup, with Kapanen sharing that it has been his childhood dream.
The Finn was also asked if he was considering competing for the Calder Trophy, given he’s currently leading among rookie scorers, and whether he was teasing teammate Ivan Demidov. He replied that Demidov’s thoughts probably weren’t on that award and praised his teammate’s talent. This seemed like an awkward question, especially since hockey fans know Kapanen isn’t really in the Calder conversation.
Other awkward moments included Suzuki being asked what French words he knew, to which he said he could say his own name and ask how someone was doing. While it’s not crucial for the Canadiens captain to be fluent in French, this response was somewhat underwhelming, especially considering he had previously made headlines earlier in the season with a French interview on TVA Sports. The interview was likely rehearsed, but fans might have expected more effort to showcase his language skills.
Lepage also questioned whether the players had watched the series “Heat Rivalry” about hockey’s gay community, which resulted in an awkward silence as they looked at each other. Suzuki acknowledged hearing about the show and appreciated its role in attracting new fans. When asked why homosexuality remains taboo in hockey, Texier confidently stated that his team would welcome an openly gay member. These are generally expected answers, but the silence during the question about watching “Heat Rivalry” highlights that there’s still work to be done regarding openness and acceptance in the sport. If players are hesitant to admit watching a show about players having a secret affair, social acceptance of coming out may still face challenges.
With five games remaining before the Olympics, the Canadiens are gearing up for matchups against the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabers, Minnesota Wild, and Winnipeg Jets.
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Fan Take: This interview gives fans a glimpse into how players outside the ice react to pressure-filled questions about language, rivalry, and acceptance, highlighting the ongoing cultural shifts in hockey. It underscores the importance of fostering an environment of openness and diversity, which could help the sport evolve into a more inclusive community for all players and fans alike.
