On Tuesday night, the Bell Centre buzzed with excitement as the Montreal Canadiens honored Carey Price with an unforgettable ovation.
Fans celebrated for nearly four minutes during a ceremony on the ice, enthusiastically chanting “Ca-rey! Ca-rey!” and “Olé, Olé” just before the game against the Minnesota Wild began.
Amidst the cheers, Price stood by the team benches, flanked by five trophies he earned throughout his remarkable career, trying to express his gratitude.
“From the bottom of my heart, the most sincere ‘Merci beaucoup,’” Price addressed the crowd, his voice filled with emotion.
Throughout his 15-year NHL journey, Price played exclusively for Montreal after being drafted fifth overall in 2005, establishing himself as the franchise’s all-time leader with 361 wins. (Christopher Katsarov/ The Canadian Press)
The Canadiens’ rookie goalie Jacob Fowler has drawn comparisons to Price due to his calm, composed style of play. Price himself has noted that Fowler is the one who most resembles him.
In a fiercely contested match, the Canadiens ultimately fell to the Wild 2-1 in overtime, although Fowler made 22 saves in a noteworthy goalie matchup against Minnesota’s Jesper Wallstedt.
“One of the greatest goalies to ever play,” Fowler remarked about Price after the game.
“It was surreal to witness the fans’ support. I honestly thought the game might never start after that ovation,” he shared.
“We joked about it, not knowing how long it would last. It was just a truly special and emotional moment.”
During his upbringing, Price’s father, Jerry, would fly him in a small plane 320 kilometers from their hometown to Williams Lake, B.C., three times weekly so he could participate in minor hockey. (Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
In line with team traditions, the Canadiens added Price to their ring of honor following his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday in Toronto.
At the age of 39, Price became the 62nd member of the Canadiens to enter the Hall of Fame, marking a remarkable trajectory that began in the isolated community of Anahim Lake, B.C.
As a child, Price’s father regularly transported him to Williams Lake for hockey, demonstrating his commitment to his son’s aspirations.
Price dedicated his entire 15-year NHL career to the Canadiens after being selected fifth overall in 2005, where he became the franchise’s winningest goaltender with 361 victories. He concluded his career with a save percentage of .917, a goals-against average of 2.51, and 49 shutouts across 712 regular-season games.
“It’s a special occasion,” Price, a member of the Ulkatcho First Nation, stated before the game.
“I’ve had the privilege of being part of many ceremonies here, and the rich culture of this franchise speaks volumes. I’m honored to contribute another chapter to it.”
Recognized as one of the finest goaltenders of his era, Price was celebrated for his remarkable positioning, unwavering composure, and flashy windmill glove saves.
He played a pivotal role in leading Canada to an Olympic gold medal in 2014 and captured both the Hart Trophy for league MVP and the Vezina Trophy for the NHL’s best goaltender in 2015, boasting an impressive .933 save percentage and a 1.96 goals-against average over 66 games.
Despite his accolades, Price never secured a Stanley Cup, often carrying Canadiens squads that lacked firepower and exceeding expectations. During Price’s rookie season, Alex Kovalev’s 84 points in 2007-08 were the highest by a Montreal player throughout his career.
Price came closest to winning the Stanley Cup in 2021, guiding an underdog Canadiens team to the finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning while pandemic restrictions were still in place.
He would take the ice only five more times as a degenerative knee injury curtailed his career, with his last game being a 10-2 win over Florida at the Bell Centre on April 29, 2022.
At that moment, Canadiens fans were unaware that it would mark the end of his playing days.
“When you conclude your career, there’s that image of riding off into the sunset, and I didn’t feel that was how it happened, but I still felt the love,” Price reflected.
“During this time, I’ve had the chance to think back on everything, and it has made me even more grateful for it all.”
Price recalled the night when the Canadiens honored his idol Patrick Roy by raising his No. 33 on November 22, 2008, as a memory that surfaced when he entered the Bell Centre on Tuesday. (The Canadian Press)
The Canadiens showcased a mosaic of Price’s most memorable moments outside their locker room, where his portrait now hangs alongside each member of the team’s ring of honor.
“He’s always been a legend in my mind,” remarked Canadiens winger Cole Caufield, who was Price’s teammate from 2021 to 2022. “Another iconic player who called Montreal home.”
“Witnessing the fans’ reaction and the recognition he received is truly special. To do this in this building, in this city, is remarkable,” he added.
What did the soft-spoken goaltender think when he spotted his image within the locker room?
“I was just in there,” he admitted. “I was so anxious about delivering a speech that I didn’t even take a moment to look at it.”
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The debate over whether Price’s No. 31 should be retired in the Bell Centre rafters continues among hockey enthusiasts in the city.
While this decision might be clear in many markets, the Canadiens’ 24 Stanley Cup titles have set a high standard, and even champions like Jacques Lemaire and Steve Shutt have yet to see their numbers retired.
Price highlighted the evening when the Canadiens honored his idol Patrick Roy by raising his No. 33 on November 22, 2008, as a significant memory that came to mind upon entering the Bell Centre on Tuesday.
Has he ever considered having a similar moment?
“No, I’m just taking everything one step at a time. That’s always been my approach,” said Price, who currently lives in Kelowna, B.C., with his wife Angela and their three children.
“I’m just grateful to be here tonight and to share this experience with everyone.”
