Former Yorkton Mauler (Harvest) Bud Holloway is getting a shot with the Montreal Canadiens organization.
鈥淚t was my first year off of my contract with L.A., so I wanted to give North America another shot,鈥� said
Holloway, who is from Wapella, SK. said, 鈥淭here were talks with a few different teams on July 1, but the best fit to try to get an opportunity to play was Montreal.鈥�
Asked if the signing was a dream coming true Holloway, who played last season in the Swiss League said, 鈥淲ell it鈥檚 a step in the right direction. There still is a lot that I need to put into it to get there. I just need to give myself the best odds by being ready when camp starts.鈥�
While the NHL has long been the dream, playing in Switzerland was a positive for Holloway, including affording him a chance to play for Team Canada at the most recent Spengler Cup.
鈥淵ah I loved playing in Europe,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he chance to visit different countries and learn different languages and cultures has been great. It was something that was right for me as a person not just a hockey player.鈥�
The European experience also allowed Holloway to grow as a player.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just things that come to you as you mature as a player,鈥� he said. 鈥淓very year you work at being better there is a reward for the work you鈥檙e putting in! I also gained confidence and trust in myself from my coaches and organizations trusting my judgement with the puck.鈥�
But now he will concentrate on his shot with Montreal where he has a one-year deal which is what he wanted.
鈥淚 want to see how it goes coming back before committing to anything longer,鈥� he said.
And the real work starts now.
鈥淢ain camp starts up on the 17th and I will be attending,鈥� said Holloway. 鈥淚鈥檝e been down in Montreal already working out and preparing to try and grab a roster spot or at least give the G.M. and coaches a good reason to call me up at some point in the season.鈥�
Holloway said so far the Canadiens haven鈥檛 laid out too much of what they expect from him.
鈥淭hey don鈥檛 have a lot of contact with the players during the summer usually,鈥� he said. 鈥淒uring camp I鈥檓 sure there will be meetings and casual chats to give feedback to me and the rest of the players attending camp.鈥�
From his perspective he just wants to work at being a better all-around player.
鈥淵ou can always do things better and quicker,鈥� said Holloway. 鈥淚f it鈥檚 your skating or the way you read the play it can always improve.鈥�
If a Canadiens roster spot is not immediate Holloway will end up in the American Hockey League (AHL) with St. John.
鈥淭he 鈥楢鈥� (AHL) is nothing new to me. I played there for three-years previously and know how the league is and what to expect,鈥� he said. Adding, 鈥淚 also hear St. Johns is a great place and take care of their players well.鈥�
