Cowan: Canadiens' Josh Anderson reflects on a memorable season

Montreal Gazette

06-05-2025

Montreal Canadiens
By
One of the many things that make the NHL playoffs the best in all of sports — at least in my opinion — is the handshake line at the end of each series.
One of the most famous photos in hockey history was taken after Game 7 of a 1952 Stanley Cup semifinal series between the Canadiens and Boston Bruins. The Canadiens' Maurice Richard — with blood dripping from a bandage on his forehead — was photographed shaking hands with Bruins goalie (Sugar) Jim Henry, who had two black eyes from a broken nose suffered in Game 6. Richard had been knocked out cold in the second period of Game 7, but returned to score the winning goal in a 3-1 victory at the Forum. The Canadiens were then swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup final.
I was thinking of that photo last week after the Canadiens were eliminated by Washington in the first round of the playoffs and Josh Anderson shook hands with the Capitals' Tom Wilson, while also sharing a chuckle. These two huge men had just spent five games basically beating the crap out of each other, but were able to shake hands afterward with mutual respect and sportsmanship.
Best sports photo I've ever seen. Sugar Jim Henry and the Rocket. pic.twitter.com/B27aVqv0I8
— Darren (@scabbyhabby) November 23, 2023
'We've played against each other for our whole careers and I think we respect each other's game,' Anderson said when Canadiens players met with the media for the last time this season last Friday in Brossard. 'I think that's what was pretty much said in the handshake line there. I respect the way he plays, his game overall.'
The chuckle probably had to do with the fight Anderson and Wilson had at the end of the second period of Game 3 with both players ending up in the Capitals bench. The linesman who followed them into the bench trying to break up the fight was Kyle Flemington, who was Anderson's junior teammate in 2011-12 with the OHL's London Knights.
Tom Wilson and Josh Anderson in the handshake line after battling it out this round
pic.twitter.com/4Eid14hCoC
— Everything Hockey (@EHClothing) May 1, 2025
'It was weird that he was the one that landed in between me and Wilson ... go figure,' Anderson said about the 6-foot-7, 227-pound Flemington, who was a defenceman with the Knights. 'But he was a big tough guy in junior, so I think he loved it as well.'
This was a memorable season in many ways for the 30-year-old Anderson, who wishes it could have lasted longer. The 6-foot-3, 226-pound winger bounced back from a very disappointing 2023-24 season, posting 15-12-27 totals while missing only one game despite dealing with injuries that forced him to miss many practices and morning skates down the stretch.
'I'm not going to get into the specifics about that,' Anderson said when asked about his injuries, adding he won't require surgery. 'Enough that if we weren't in the position that we were in (fighting for a playoff spot) I wouldn't be playing. But I had things going on with my lower and upper body, I'll just leave it at that.'
Anderson won the Jacques Beauchamp Trophy as the Canadien who played a dominant role during the regular season without earning any particular honour. He is also the Canadiens' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Anderson played a huge role in the Canadiens making the playoffs. Head coach Martin St. Louis called Anderson a 'culture driver' after sticking by his side last season when things weren't going well, saying he doesn't give up on a player unless he gives up on himself.
'He's been unbelievable as a mentor for me as a guy I looked up to as a kid watching,' Anderson said about St. Louis, who had a 16-year Hall of Fame playing career and is a finalist this season for the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach. 'He's a coach that's been in my corner ever since I got here and I have nothing but respect for him.'
Another big thing that made this season memorable for Anderson is that his wife, Paola, gave birth to their first child — a girl. The only game Anderson missed was on April 5 — a 3-2 win over Philadelphia at the Bell Centre — to be with his wife for the birth.
Congrats to new papa & mama to be Josh Anderson & his wife Paola Anderson ️ pic.twitter.com/pXtghIME23
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 19, 2025
'It's been great,' Anderson said about becoming a dad. 'You think life differently now ... a little bit more scared of flying, which I've never been before. Honestly, it's been unbelievable. You just can't wait to get home and spend time with your daughter. Mom's been unbelievable ... she's been a rock star. It's a wonderful feeling.'
While Anderson wishes he was still playing, he's excited about the future for the Canadiens and is looking forward to having time to let his body heal now while spending time with his family.
'It's been tough the last three weeks, especially leaving to go on the road and not spending that much time with her,' he said about his daughter. 'But just relaxing for the next two weeks and being there for my wife and helping her for whatever she needs. It should be great.'