Veteran Forward Erik Cole anticipates bright future with Montreal Canadiens –NHL offseason Update
Montreal Canadiens landed a top-notch player as soon as the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) free agency began on July 1. Veteran Erik Cole signed a four-year deal with the Canadian club, worth $18 million.
Being frowned upon by Montreal’s fans while he was with Carolina Hurricanes, Cole now hopes that will all change before the season begins.
Cole was certainly excited when he inked the deal with his new team.
"You guys might not be excited about it, but I am", Cole said. "It's a big day for me and my family, and hopefully it's a big day and a good day for the Montreal Canadiens".
Born in Oswego, New York, United States, Cole was drafted in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by Carolina Hurricanes during round-three as the 71st overall pick.
Having eight seasons of experience all but a single one with Carolina makes his moving to a new team, a game changing situation for him.
After six straight seasons, Cole was traded to Edmonton Oilers for a single year, but due to reasons he blamed on adjustment issues with a new team, he returned back to Carolina for another two seasons until now.
Having spent so much time with a single team, Erik Cole hopes that the adjustment process will not take long, since he regards Montreal as a hockey loving city and it would be great to settle down.
"I've said it before -- the passion here is unbelievable", said Cole. "Lots of times when I'm asked why I play well here, I say it's because of them, because of the passion that's here. It was probably the one arena where you'd never want the door closed
to the locker room before the game while you're waiting to go on the ice. You want to be able to hear it and enjoy it".
Cole boasts a record of playing 620 NHL games so far for a total of 390 points (184 goals, 206 assists), which make him one of the most high calibre players in the league.
Last season, he scored 52 points, and any team which has such a player on their roster is sure to benefit.
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