After being traded to Montreal from the St. Louis Blues on September 2nd, Jake Allen took the time on Wednesday to jump on a conference call with the Montreal media.
The goaltender started off by answering how he feels being a backup to Carey Price.
“I’m obviously excited to be a Montreal Canadien as of today and the role is behind one of the best goalies in the world, a guy who’s been a dominant force in the league and it’s just to provide an assurance to the team. I feel like I played that role last year very well behind Binnington. I got another solid season, played quite a few years in the league, a lot of experience in different situations. I feel I can come into this spot and give Carey breaks when he needs it and play well for the team and go from there, so I’m looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity, been through a lot of different situations and circumstances in my career and that’s nothing major new to me.”
He was asked if he could possibly use this contract year as a bounce back year that could potentially land him a starting goalie job somewhere else.
“You want to be in the net all the time, that’s just the nature of a goalie and an athlete in general. Looking to have a great season next year, especially in Montreal and I am looking forward to a new opportunity to open a lot of doors and for me being able to put on a Montreal Canadiens sweater for the first time, and I know the business side of the game, and I am not nieve to it at all. It could be a great opportunity for me moving forward.”
Allen is very familiar with the city seeing that he played major junior for the Montreal Juniors of the QJMHL.
“You know, it’s funny how it has come full circle playing for Montreal Juniors in Verdun and then playing in the NHL against the Canadiens at the Bell Centre. It’s wild, but I have had a few experiences in the building. I’ve lived in the city a few years when I was a teenager, so for sure there is some familiarity to it. Still have some people I keep in touch with in the city, it’s a city that I am more familiar with then any other city in the league and it’s going to be comfortable for sure.”
He also spoke about the change in roles from being a starter to becoming a backup.
“There is a lot of different things you learn along the way during your career. I’ve been in a lot of different circumstances in my career, even going back to last year with the Blues and being Binnington’s backup. My role was changed and I had a choice to accept it and thrive in it or not and I think last year was a perfect example doing whatever the team needs. It’s really putting them before yourself, be a real team player, a real positive guy at the rink everyday and take the most out of the chances that are given to you. You need to know your role, your position, whatever is needed will get done one way or another. Can’t be pretty all the time. I think it’s a lot of experiences being a starter and being a backup and also being in a 1A, 1B situation.”
Allen also touched on the relationship he has had in the past with Carey Price.
“I personally do not know Carey Price at all, so I will try to get off on the good foot and I am sure it will. I’ve heard a lot of good things, we have similar interests on and off the ice, so I think we’ll get a chance to speak soon.”
He also detailed his thoughts on getting the chance to play at the Bell Centre and potentially before 22,000 fans.
“It’s going to be a different circumstance for myself on and off the ice since it’s a different market, but it’s something you have to embrace, embrace the opportunity that’s going to be given to me to play for such a historic franchise behind one of the best goalies of all time. It’s going to be interesting, it’s going to be fun, that’s the way I’ve looked at my career over the last couple years is to embrace everything and it’s going to be a challenge no question. There is going to be good and bad days, but the key word here is to embrace the opportunity that is given to me.”