by Erica, Staff Writer and Fundraising Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine

MONTREAL, QC. — This week’s episode of 24CH was a return to its old form. Maybe as a tribute to the late Jean Béliveau, Episode 11 focused on the players: people who work hard on the ice, then go home and try to make a difference in their families and communities. Here’s what we learned:

Sergei Gonchar lives a life divided. Gonchar’s wife and children didn’t move to Montreal with him when he was traded, so his return to Dallas on December 6th was a true homecoming. He valued being able to spend some time with them, as it was “tough on [him]” to be away from his daughters. He laments not being able to take them to school or see them on his days off, even though he knows that this is common practice for NHL players who get traded mid-season, and looks forward to spending some time with them at Christmas.

“You gotta work to get back up to Montreal.” Even for Hamilton Bulldogs players who’ve been there before. Michael Bournival is ready to suit up for the Bulldogs as the final stage of his recovery from injury. Jarred Tinordi uses his time in Hamilton to prepare for a return to the NHL, always working to improve his skills and prepare for the increased speed of Canadiens games. Similarly, Nathan Beaulieu knows what he needs to work on (his confidence on-ice and defensive skills) and keeps working on them in the hopes that he’ll stay in Montreal instead of racking up air miles.

Brandon Prust gets it done. One segment opens with Prust’s father, Kevin, showing off walls of his home covered in press clippings and game memorabilia. Prust’s parents are clearly very proud of him, and don’t take credit for any of his success. Everyone interviewed in his hometown of London, Ontario, credits Prust’s hard work, determination, and heart for his NHL career. Prust grew up playing pond hockey and joining teams and, in his words, “didn’t stop.”

His former coaches praise him for his versatility and team spirit. One of them, high school coach Jim Higgins, recounts how superstitious Prust is as a player and a superstition that he started: During a crucial moment of a late-season game, Higgins asked Prust for his stick, rubbed the blade between his hands, and handed it back. Prust scored the game-winning goal with little time left on the clock. After that, Higgins would take Prust’s stick and do the same every time he wanted Prust to snap out a slump or score a big goal. Obviously, the opportunity could not be passed up, and 24CH’s crew handed Higgins one of Prust’s sticks. To this day, Prust believes in that superstition, despite some ribbing by Brendan Gallagher. In the four games since Prust prepared that stick for play, he’s scored three points. Maybe there is a little magic in there.

Off the ice, Prust discusses what he’s done to give back to the community in London. One of his high school coaches was very grateful that Prust paid for the hockey team’s uniforms. There’s also a brief overview of the Prusty 4 Kids Foundation, which helps sponsor various programs for pediatric cancer patients. Overall, Prust is happy that his passion for hockey has led him to the kind of career that allows him to help others.

The influence of Jean Béliveau was all over this episode. The legend whose banner hangs from the rafters, and whose seat at the Bell Centre lies empty in remembrance, has had an impact on this season’s team. From their benevolence to their hard work and team spirit, the Canadiens will try to pick up his torch.