'Excited to help the team reach new highs': Mike Matheson keeps Montreal Canadiens on their toes as he gets set for World Championship
Mike Matheson (via Getty Images)
While there was optimism in the air during the
Montreal Canadiens
' end-of-year media availability, veteran defenseman
Mike Matheson
presented a tempered view. The 31-year-old blue liner, who had a crucial role to play all season long, accepted the progress made by the team but made it clear that the actual work only recently began.
Mike Matheson highlights leadership role, commits to offseason push at World Championship
In spite of logging big minutes during the 2024–25 NHL campaign, Mike Matheson was nowhere near slowing down and continuing to test his limits.
Referencing the Montreal Canadiens' first playoff appearance since beginning their rebuild, Mike Matheson admitted they didn't achieve the ultimate goal, as
Stanley Cup
champions, according to him, is the true NHL success. He thinks that if the Montreal Canadiens want to repeat this year's success without evolving, they're going to get a wake-up call.
The 'SAD ENDING' To The Montreal Canadiens Season
'It's fun for me to have that responsibility; I know it's important to our team that I take those minutes and do as much as I can with them. I wouldn't say it was more tiring; my body is feeling as good as it has ever felt in my career and that's why I'm going to the World Championship. I want to keep playing important games for next year. I'm excited to keep doing as much as I can to help the team reach new highs that we know we can reach,' he stated.
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Emily Matheson's legacy boosts Mike Matheson's World Championship adventure
Mike Matheson was grateful for the support from his wife, Emily Matheson, a former U.S. women's national team member who competed in several World Championships and Olympics. Her appreciation for the importance of serving one's country has enabled Mike to embrace the national team invitation, despite having two children at home.
Also read:
'The pain now is not even close to the joy that's coming': Coach Martin St. Louis on Montreal Canadiens' playoff loss
Matheson is steadfast in his conviction that steady growth and responsibility are the true keys to long-term success as he hopes to instill the same in the Montreal Canadiens' new core.
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