Conference call: Jonathan Drouin

MONTREAL - One day after working out in Brossard for the first time in three months, Jonathan Drouin fielded questions from the media via conference call. Topics included the new sanitary measures at the Bell Sports Complex, his own fitness level, and his thoughts on the NHL's Return to Play Plan.

Read an abridged transcript of the call below.

Question from Martin McGuire, Cogeco Media

During the pandemic, people who have had to stop working have missed their jobs. What did it mean for you to get back on the ice yesterday and finally get back to work?

It felt good. For everyone, not just athletes. It was weird, not knowing what to do with your days at the start. But seriously, all the players who were at the Bell Sports Complex yesterday were happy to hit the ice. Just being back at the arena felt good. Even though things are different, bring back a bit of normalcy was good for everyone.

Question from Jessica Rusnak, CBC Montreal

Could you explain what it was like yesterday when you arrived in Brossard? What are some of the differences and protocols that you now have to follow going to the rink?

There are a bunch of things. We take our temperature at home now and send it to the trainer before showing up at the rink. We have an app that we fill out every time we head to the rink. So, Graham [Rynbend] is the one who receives that, and sees if everything is ok with you. He takes your temperature in the morning as well, and obviously, we wear a mask in the facility in some areas. We can't sit down in the lounge or go in the sauna or in the hot tub either, so that's very different. It's more about getting dressed, getting undressed, and working out than it is about hanging out.

Question from Jean-Francois Chaumont, Journal de Montreal

How are you doing health-wise, knowing that you were being bothered by an ankle injury at the end of the season? Currently, do you have any nagging injuries, or would you say you're at 100%?

I obviously didn't receive any treatments during quarantine, but I did have time to rest my wrist, which did me good. The timing wasn't ideal, but at least it gave me a break to heal. I had the ankle and the wrist injuries, but now both are healed, and I don't have any concerns. I can arrive at work and focus on hockey without needing treatments, which is good news for me.

Question from John Lu, TSN

With the way you were playing prior to the wrist injury and the anticipation of playing in the qualifying round, combined with the style of play you were bringing until mid-November, do you sense that you have a "2016-style" playoff in you?

My game just goes up in playoff hockey. As a kid, it was at hockey tournaments, and in Junior, it was the same thing; when playoff hockey comes around, there's a different feeling. I'm not the only one who gets that. We're not nervous to go into the Qualifying Round - we're very excited if we do. I usually play well in those moments.

Question from Louis Jean, TVA Sports

I spoke with a former coach of yours, and he classified you as a "hockey junky". He said that you're the type of guy who studies video, tries to improve himself by observing others, and is super competitive. Did you use the last three months to re-examine certain parts of your game?

Yes. I think you can learn a lot from the past, and I reviewed a lot of my games from last season. I took another look at my start to the season, because I liked the way I was playing. I looked at what I was doing right and wrong. I don't know which coach you spoke to, but he's right. I have a deck to shoot pucks from at home, I watch video, and I try to work on things. Currently, I've been working on my shot. I look at guys like [Auston] Matthews, who are capable of shooting from anywhere. With the three last months, if you haven't taken the chance to improve your game, you've wasted your time.

Question from Douglas Gelevan, CBC Montreal

Given how things have gone for the team this year - as well as your injuries - how do you see this opportunity for the group as whole?

Obviously, looking at the standings, if it were regular playoffs, we wouldn't be in. But we are in, and we have a chance - if hockey comes back - to play playoff hockey. To play at that level, which we haven't played in a couple of years. We're very fortunate. We're very happy to be in that position, and I don't think we want to waste that opportunity if hockey comes back around.