by Shannon Penfound, Staff Writer and Event Coordinator, All Habs Hockey Magazine
WINNIPEG, MB. — There’s been a lot of talk regarding the recent movement of Canadiens’ veterans, Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges. Gionta, team captain since 2010, and Gorges, a staple in the Montreal line-up since 2006, are no strangers to the ice at the Bell Centre. While discussions between Gionta’s and Montreal’s camps led many to accept the captain’s probable leaving, many fans, as well as fellow teammates, were shocked to hear of Marc Bergevin’s plan to move Gorges. There is no doubt that both of these players have extensive leadership qualities and so, the question lingers: Who is ready to step up for the 2014-2015 season?
Having a background in Sport Psychology, I am an advocate for team cohesion, that is, the degree to which team members work together in order to achieve common goals. Clearly, cohesion is vital in team sports, and greatly depends upon compatibility amongst team members. I think most of us can agree that both Gionta and Gorges affected the productivity of the team through their leadership qualities, especially as it pertained to some of the younger veterans on the team. It is for this reason, I feel their departure will both help, and perhaps hinder, the future captain of the Montreal Canadiens.
There is no shortage of potential replacements to choose from, most notably: Andrei Markov, Tomas Plekanec, Max Pacioretty, and P.K. Subban (so long as talks go well this summer). If goalies were permitted to act as full captain, I would most certainly add Carey Price to this list. All of these players have been with the Montreal organization while under Gionta’s reign as captain, and all have played closely with Gorges. Therefore, all know what it takes to be a leader of this hockey club. A strong indicator of future success is directly related to the length of time in which a team has worked together. These players have all been working together towards one main goal for the better part of the past six years. Additionally, they have built a solid foundation from which new team members are able to learn the ins and outs of what it means to be a Canadien. For these reasons, the potential candidate will most certainly have the background knowledge required in order to lead his team to a successful season. Unfortunately, this also means that it is likely that these players will encounter sincere feelings of loss associated with the movement of not just one, but two strong presences on the team.
In any team sport, certain players adapt key roles. As fans, we understand a captain and assistant captains to be deemed the ‘leaders’ on the team. With so many moving parts, we sometimes forget that players who don’t necessarily sport a letter, adapt leadership roles both on and off the ice as well. My only issue with the loss of both Gionta and Gorges is directly related to the loss of two key veterans. Studies have shown that veterans typically display less role ambiguity, and therefore fully understand their role on the team. Veterans will work with other teammates in order to produce the best results possible, partly due to the fact that they are able to focus solely on their key role without encountering distractions related to taking on other roles. For example, an ‘enforcer,’ like Brandon Prust, would understand his key role is to be a very physical presence on the ice, as opposed to taking on responsibilities associated with being a top goal scorer – this is not to take away from Prust’s ability to make some very significant plays during this past season.
This is a team in rebuilding, as we have seen over the course of the past few years. From being considered one of the most unfavourable teams in the league a few seasons ago, to nearly securing a place at the Stanley Cup Finals this year, the Montreal Canadiens know what it takes to work together to produce results. But you have to wonder what the loss of two key veterans will do to the pre-existing cohesion that had been built off of years of camaraderie. Now, this is elite sport, and these players understand that their time with any particular club is limited. Very rarely do we see a player begin and end his career with the same team. Do I think the Montreal Canadiens will completely fall apart due to Gionta and Gorges moving on? Absolutely not. But I do think this year’s training camp and pre-season will involve a few key players re-evaluating their current roles with the team and, hopefully, adapting well to the new responsibilities given to them.
Buckle up, Habs fans. This season is going to be interesting.
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