Former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexander Romanov clearly cherished his time with the team. He was traded to the New York Islanders in a deal that allowed Kent Hughes to land Kirby Dach, and it’s evident that Romanov held a deep affection for the Habs fans, reflected in the mutual regard.
This dynamic often goes unnoticed, but many players, particularly Europeans, are willing to speak candidly during interviews in their native languages. In one such interview, a reporter gave Romanov an opportunity to voice criticism of the Canadiens organization and its fanbase. However, his response was unexpectedly positive.
In response to a question about the intense media scrutiny he experienced while with the Habs, Romanov expressed nothing but gratitude. His words were a striking contrast to what the reporter might have anticipated.
The reporter asked:
“We know that places like Montreal, Toronto, and Edmonton have very intense media environments. You played in Montreal, where the media attention and fan pressure are at their highest…”
Romanov quickly interjected, stating that his experience was quite the opposite.
“They probably won’t see this interview, but I just want to express my gratitude for the fans and the Montreal Canadiens organization. I want to thank the fans again.
During my two years in Montreal, I never faced a single negative experience with the media or the fans. Not once. You may come across a few negative comments, but they remain reasonable and never turn into unwarranted attacks.”
– Alexander Romanov
It’s heartwarming to see such appreciation, which speaks volumes about his character. While there may be a more negative view of Canadian hockey markets in his home country, remarks like Romanov’s are sure to help shift that perspective.
