As the Hockey Hall of Fame weekend approaches, the NHL has released a series of induction podcasts which are one-on-one interviews with all the inductees to be, including former Montreal Canadiens captain Shea Weber.
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In a 24-minute interview, Kenny Albert asks the booming shot defenseman a plethora of questions which is sure to teach you a thing or two about him. Growing up, Weber played both up front and on the blueline, which is why he had two favorite players growing up, Eric Lindros was his attacking inspiration while Rob Blake took the cake on the back end.
Related: Canadiens to Honour Shea Weber on November 16
It’s funny to hear one of the hardest hitting defenseman ever recall playing his first NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings and mentioned how he had to hit captain Steve Yzerman but didn’t want to hit one of the greats of the game too hard as a rookie.
If Weber found out about his induction while he was on the golf course, he found out about the trade that made him a Hab on the dock coming back from a ride on the boat. He mentions that most of the world probably found out before him, and obviously, it was a shock to him.
I think when it first happens, it’s, you know, I was sad, obviously a team that drafted you and you want to finish your career with, you’re a little bit shocked, you want to see it through, your goal is to help them win a Stanley Cup. I think as the day goes on, as you talk to people from the other side, the Montreal Canadiens side, it was more excitement. Then I was elated you know, going to Montreal, a place where they’ve got a rich history in hockey and they’ve won, and they’ve been around forever. It was just a mix of emotions definitely through that whole day and leading up to the season.
As for his best memory with the Canadiens, it’s understandably the 2021 Stanley Cup run even though he wishes they could have had a full building behind them. Seeing the streets and how elated the fans were, he believes a packed Bell Centre would have been amazing.
Related: Hockey Hall of Fame Ticket Packages Available
As for former coach Barry Trotz, he calls him one of the best human being he’s ever met, and a man that helped him developed not only as a player, but as a captain and as a leader. Weber is also glad to be inducted in the same class as the man who drafted him David Poile.
As we previously reported, the Canadiens will be honouring Weber prior to their Nov. 16 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Before then though, look for the rugged defenseman to make his induction speech and get ready to hear a lot of praises for one of the great defenseman who played the game.
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