Family values shape community involvement for Laval Rocket's Lucas Condotta
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Maybe this is simply what's expected of a captain in the Canadiens' organization.
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During the same year in which Nick Suzuki was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy — awarded to the player who exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made the most positive impact in his community — Laval Rocket captain Lucas Condotta was nominated for the AHL equivalent, the Yanic Dupré Memorial Award.
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And while Condotta, the Rocket's nominee for a third successive season, didn't win — the honour went to Texas Stars captain Curtis McKenzie — he won't change his principles.
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'Any chance you have to give back to the community is obviously really important to us,' Condotta recently told The Gazette. 'We wear the C's. You have to lead by example off the ice as well.
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'I don't think it's just (up to) the captain,' he added. 'It's the team. We've had a lot of buy-in, with all the guys doing community events. Any chance you have to give back to people who are excited to see you, you can make 10 minutes of their day. It's important. We take pride here. As a team, we've played a part in this award. If you get nominated for an award, it's pretty cool. I'm just trying to be the best person I can be.'
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Condotta, 27, was named Rocket captain this season by new head coach Pascal Vincent, but has been considered a leader throughout his career. He was the UMass Lowell captain as a senior along with the team's most valuable player twice. Condotta was also named to the Hockey East all-academic team four times.
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Signed as a free agent by the Canadiens in 2022, Condotta has played three full seasons with the Rocket. The 6-foot-1, 218-pound centre had five goals and 31 points in 63 games this season, and has one goal through five playoff games heading into Friday night's contest against the Rochester Americans (7 p.m., RDS). The Rocket leads the best-of-five North Division final 1-0 after Wednesday's 5-4 victory.
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Jacob Fowler will be the starting goalie on Friday, Vincent announced after the team's morning skate. Forward Luke Tuch will also be inserted for the injured Xavier Simoneau.
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'There's not enough good things I can say about (Condotta) that will justify what he does,' Vincent said. 'He's an amazing human being. Inclusive, humble and a hard-working guy. He knows who he is, knows the kind of player he is. He cares for his teammates and the team. He's a strong presence for us on the ice. I know the numbers aren't there this year offensively, but it goes way beyond the numbers. If we're having the season we're having, it starts with your No. 1 leader — and he's that guy. I'm very happy that he got recognized, because he's a special person.'
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