Montembeault: 'Couldn't be happier' in Montreal

MONTREAL - Whatever questions remained about Sam Montembeault's future with the Canadiens were answered this season, both figuratively and literally.

SHOP: Samuel Montembeault replica jersey
Between the pipes, the fourth-year goalie let his play do the talking. Accordingly, the Habs' general manager backed it up.
"We want to keep him," said Kent Hughes during his mid-season review on January 18. "Sam definitely isn't going anywhere."

But that wasn't always the case.
Return in time to October 2, 2021, when the Canadiens announced the team had claimed Montembeault off waivers.
More than anything in that moment, the transaction was about Carey Price's status than it was about the newcomer joining his hometown team.
Generally speaking, the feeling around the Bell Centre was that the Quebec-born netminder was brought in as an insurance policy to fill a roster spot until the team's franchise goalie could return to action.
"I have the same job to do. I have to work hard during practice and just be ready when I get the chance to play, do the job and prove that I can be a second goalie," said the 26-year-old on October 9, 2021.
Since then, Price, sidelined by injury, has played only five games for the Habs.
Montembeault, on the other hand, has been in the crease for 78.
"He still has a lot of things to experience as a goalie, but we see his potential," outlined Hughes in mid-January.
Three months later, the potential Hughes spoke of is already awakening.
This season, Montembeault upped his save percentage from .891 to .901, lowered his goals-against average by 0.35 and doubled his win total from a year ago.

"I think I progressed well this season," shared the January Molson Cup winner. "I spoke about consistency throughout the year, and I think that's something I did a much better job with this season."
Look no further than the stretch from January 9 to 21 when Montembeault maintained a save percentage of .925 or higher in six of the seven games, including 38 and 39-save performances in a back-to-back on January 14 and 15 in New York.
Backing a young and inexperienced yet promising D-core, the netminder wasn't foreign to a high volume of shots whenever he took to the blue paint. Snacks, as his teammates call him, faced 30 or more shots on 28 occasions this season and backstopped his club to 12 wins in games of that sort.
Maturity, experience, and confidence were also part of the equation leading to Montembeault's success this year. His 39 starts in 2022-23 were a new career high, eclipsing the 30 he made last year.
"My preparation ahead of games is much better, so heading into the game I'm confident," voiced the QMJHL product. "Sometimes even when you doubt yourself, you need to express positive body language to show people that you're here and that you belong."
If no one else, Montembeault's goalie partner Jake Allen - who edged his teammate with 41 starts of his own - knew he fit in from the start.
"I'm not surprised one bit. I could tell the first day I saw him he's an athlete in the net. He's not just a goalie that stands there and blocks pucks, he does a lot more than that," said the Habs' No. 34 back in January.
Add Montembeault's qualities to his work ethic and the results are inevitable.
"He's a good goalie, I knew that as soon as I saw him last year and I'm glad he's getting the chance to really open some eyes," added Allen.
Perhaps none opened wider than Team Canada's management group for the upcoming 2023 IIHF World Championship in Tampere, Finland and Riga, Latvia from May 12 to 28.
The payoff? An invitation to the annual tournament.

The international event won't mark the first time the Becancour, QC native's name is penciled into a Team Canada roster, but the circumstances are different this time around.
"It's the first time I'll have the chance to play for Team Canada. I was at the World Junior Championship [in 2016], but I was the third-string goalie, so I didn't get the chance to play," recalled Montembeault. "It's going to be fun and to be able to play hockey through the month of May will be a great experience."
Beyond the tournament, Montembeault's focus will shift to next season, the last on his current two-year deal that he signed with Montreal last summer.
"This summer's going to be very important for me," he explained. "There's room for improvement physically and mentally. I'll meet with Jean-Francois Menard [the Canadiens mental performance coach] who helps us a lot here. I think it will allow me to get better and be ready for an increased workload next season if the opportunity presents itself."
There's no telling where Montembeault might lead the Canadiens, but it can only mean good things for the Habs if he continues to elevate his game just as he did this season.