Sometimes things just click. And that’s exactly what Attack fans are witnessing with Montreal Canadiens draft pick Cedrick Guindon right now. Tied for the team’s scoring lead with Deni Goure (they have 8 each so far), Guindon is clicking with linemates Servac Petrovsky and Landen Hookey at just the right time. We caught up with Guindon to talk about his thoughts on the season so far, where he thinks this team can go and his goal to sign an ELC with the Canadiens. Along the way, we get some great info on heavy metal, hear about surprisingly-skilled bowlers and investigate dressing room cultural exchanges.
Thanks for agreeing to do this. You’ve had a day off to rest after a busy weekend but you’re right back at it with a home game Wednesday, an away game Friday and a home game on Saturday. You’ve picked up 12 points in your last 7 games and have been on a roll. What do you think is starting to click for you?
I think coming back from NHL camp is a bit of an adjustment for me. It’s not easy to just change my game right away. At the same time, I didn’t change much effort wise, I just worked as hard as I could. And eventually, as cheesy as it sounds, hard work pays off right? So I think it’s been paying off lately. And they like to mix up the lines a bit and now the chemistry is there. I’ve found a good groove with Servac and Hooks lately so that’s been great. It’s a bit of everything and it’s good timing. I was in a bit of a slump at the start and then suddenly everything started working.
And what’s starting to click with the team?
I think everyone’s on board. We just we want to win, right? And we’re going to make sure that we do the right plays and we don’t cheat the game. And that pays off obviously, playing the right way. And Rumble and the coaches have done a good job of making sure we play like that. So I think playing the right way comes with success. It definitely did this week.
Obviously there were some big changes in the coaching staff recently, for yourself, how hard is it to focus on the task at hand when stuff like that happens?
It’s about looking at the future. Obviously, it was hard at the start. I’ve had Walters with me my whole career here and he’s done a lot of great things for me and all the guys, But it’s hockey, right? Changes happen all the time. So it was Dale’s call obviously and as players, you get over it and move forward and play hockey. We just treat Rums and Teakle the same way. Now they are in charge but it doesn’t change the way we do things and our focus is on doing things the right way. It was an adjustment at the start but things are coming together now and it’s been good.
How are you feeling about the new coaching tandem of Darren Rumble and Sean Teakle? I overheard you describing them as doing the work of 3 with just two in your Rogers interview.
We just try to help them and do our best. They’re doing an amazing job, like I said, doing the work of three people really. There’s a lot of behind the scenes that people don’t see. Just being on the road. hotels, food and all of that. We’re busy right now too. But they’re both pros, right? They makes it easy for us to have two days like we did this weekend.
Last week, the team took part in some team building activities. How important is that kind of stuff to coming together on the ice?
Yes it was after the weekend that we lost 3 in 3. We knew we had an off day on Wednesday and we said we should do something. We brought the idea to the coaches and Dale set it up. We had a bit of a fun battle practice that week too. We split into two team: Barlow and Sedley where we got points for challenges. We kept that rolling for bowling and kept the teams together and kept score. I was on Seds team and we ended up winning. Servac was my bowling partner and he was really good. It brought everyone together for sure. We did that at the end of last year and we thought we’d do it at the beginning this year. We haven’t had the chance to do many activities because a lot of guys we’re gone on NHL camps. We went to the beach at the very start and then the guys left for camp and ever since we haven’t really had a chance. It’s really good for us to do that.
So was anyone a surprisingly amazing bowler?
Servac was amazing. I’m usually not that good but I had a really good day. But Servac was unreal. He was putting some spin on the ball and getting strikes. It was super fun to watch.
You’ve been playing on a line with Servac Petrovsky and Landon Hookey. What’s that line like for you and how do you think you guys are working together?
It’s fun. Me and Petro have had some really good success in the past together. I’ve probably played 80% of my games here with Servac. Hooks is a big presence and a smart player. So just getting practice together with those two has paid off. It’s fun when you try new things and it works out. I think it’s a pretty complete line with three very different types of players.
I there’s been a lot of talk about this over age group this year, and how much they bring to the team. What is it like to play with Sam?
With Sam, it’s kind of like having a fourth forward out there sometimes. He can join the rush and he can find you in the O-zone. He gets some good breakouts and he’s so good defensively too. The rest of our over-agers are amazing too. At training camp, I realized how lucky we were to have four good over-agers and unfortunately Kaleb was the guy to go. I think he’s happy in Ottawa though and he’s doing well there so it’s kind of a win/win. Our over-ager group, even off the ice, they are amazing with the young guys. They are all leaders and they are all special players.
Like you said, you’ve played the majority of your games with this team alongside Servac. I hear you and Servac are pretty close. What’s your best Servac story?
My funniest Servac story is probably from my first year. All the boys would know this too. It’s kind of kind of an inside joke. We had a game at the same time they had the Christmas parade and they block off one of the main streets close to the rink. Servac was living with Fantino then and he was never late. He usually arrived early. So we didn’t see him and we were waiting and wondering what was going on. So he comes in, slams the door and yells ‘freaking Santa’ and starts getting changed. It was one of the funniest stories, with his accent and everything. He’s such a sweet guy off the ice and it’s Christmas time and he’s standing there mad about Santa. We still laugh at that today. But every day he comes up with something new, some funny quotes where he’s mixed up words. He’s the best.
You’re wearing the A again this season. What does that mean to you and what do you bring to this role?
I think just a little bit of everything. Honestly, I like to lead on the ice. I’m pretty disciplined everywhere, off the ice and on the ice. I just try to do the best I can every day. We’ve been together for so long this group, that I think anyone here can be a leader honestly. Whether I have the A on our not, I think guys would treat me the same way and I’d treat them the same way. And it’s been like that for everyone. We’re just such a tight group that everyone is a leader and everyone raises up that discipline side of things. Everyone shows up every day. But it means a lot for me to have to have that responsibility and I take it really seriously, obviously. I make sure that every day I’m at my best.
How far do you really believe this team can go this year? On paper, all the pieces to win are here.
It’s like you said, all the parts are here this year. I think we can still make a couple of moves and bring in some guys eventually. Because other teams are going to be doing that. But with Georgie and Corbin in net we are starting off with two good goalies. Our D-core is a bit younger, but it is what it is. Each game, they’re getting better. And then our forward group has to be one of the older and stronger ones in the league, so it’s really fun to have that. And then it’s up to Dale to see what he does moving on. I think we could go really far. We are all giving it our all this year because we know next year, a lot of the guys—a lot of the bigger pieces—won’t be there. So it’s an all-in mentality for us this year.
What are some of your goals for the season and beyond?
I just want to be part of a winning team and a winning culture. Every year, you try to improve stats wise but those are just numbers right? You always want those to get better but at the same time, that doesn’t happen without maturing your game. So each year, I just try to just step it up a certain percentage and work on my weaknesses. That’s what it’s going to take for me to sign an NHL contract sometime this year. That’s what Montreal wants to see from me. Personally, I want to move on to the pro level as fast as I can. But at the same time, I want to win, I want to be part of a team who is going to finish top in the league and make a big playoff push. I want to go to conference finals and then league finals and then it’s Mem Cup time. That’s how we have to think. I want to be part of it and I think we have the team for it.
You were selected in the 4th round of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. Tell us about that day? That feeling of hearing your name called and walking up on stage?
it’s hard to describe how amazing it was. You show up there not knowing what’s going to happen. It’s way different than the OHL draft… let me tell you that. It’s more stressful but it was great. It was close to home, just two hours away from my childhood home so I had a bunch of family that came with me. And I was fortunate enough, obviously, to get drafted at the same time as Servac so we shared that moment. It was pretty nice. I had a couple of other buddies get drafted too so we were all there together And then because it was in Montreal, and I got drafted by Montreal, I got to go up in their lounge and meet everyone. I spent a lot of time with all their staff. I didn’t really have time to soak it in because the next day I was there for development camp. It was amazing. But that’s over with now. Now it’s time to get a contract.
Did you know in advance that you might end up in Montreal?
I had a good feeling about it but no, I wasn’t really certain. I didn’t get invited to the NHL combine but instead I was invited to Montreal’s private combine. So I went there for a day and did all the exercises, met with all their staff, did the medicals and stuff like that. I felt like my interview went really, really well. I just had a good feeling about it. Obviously, they were one of the teams I was hoping to get drafted by. But really you go there blindly, not knowing what’s going to happen because there’s 32 teams.
As a French speaking player, what does it mean to play in Montreal?
Yeah, it’s I think it’s easier just dealing with their media, their staff, and the way they do things. It’s a culture that I was kind of familiar with. So I do think it’s kind of easier for me being French.
Do you think the Canadiens fans appreciate French speaking players on the roster? I was trying to watch the post-game interviews from the Prospects Challenge and clearly there’s some street cred to being able to be interviewed fully in French?
You get that recognition for sure. People say it to me all the time, even reporters always say thanks when I answer them in French.
Who on the Attack roster can speak the best French?
Corms, Servac, Tomislav, Deni isn’t too bad and Steener can speak a bit. I think that’s about it.
Do you guys chat in the language sometimes?
No (laughs). Dale gives it to us if we talk in French. We don’t let the Euro’s speak their language either because it leaves some guys out. We make sure we are including everyone.
Who on the Attack roster only knows how to swear in French?
Well, Steen is probably the best. He knows all of them. I’m always teaching Servac some and he teaches me some in Slovakian. So it’s kind of a trade-off there.
As one of the Attack players who’s been drafted the longest and has continued to work with the Habs to make progress towards an eventual entry level contract, tell us what that relationship is like now?
I was hard on myself last year because it was kind of new. Draft year is different because people don’t give you feedback. Scouts watch you play and you don’t really hear much. But with Montreal, it’s a completely different approach. It’s more conversations like we are having now. They reach out to me often. Most of the time, after weekends, I’ll get a text or phone call and once in a while they’ll come to my games. They give me really good feedback on what I need to work on or what I did well. I’m happy so far with this year with how things have been going with them too. I had a really good camp there and so I’m just kind of waiting and keeping in touch with them.
I noticed from the Prospects Challenge, that you obviously played alongside Filip Mesar. What’s it like when you face other Habs prospects in the OHL?
I get along really well with those guys. It’s funny to see Mesar back. He’s really good player. It’s fun to battle with those guys. We battle on the ice, but we get along so well off the ice. It’s always fun to play against them here and then with them during the summer.
What was it like playing at the Bell Centre?
Oh, it’s crazy. Yeah. Like, it’s actually like, it’s this place times nine. I played a red and white game there and it was sold out with 20,000 people. It was crazy and my whole family was there. The rink is just so it’s so high and there are so many people. It’s bright. It’s good ice. Everything is good about it. Even NHL players say it’s one of their rinks to play at. And so getting a chance to play there my first year and this year too was crazy. It’s one of the best rinks there is.
Rewinding to the beginning, tell us a bit about how you got started in the game? Did you come from a hockey family?
My parents are athletes, but they never played hockey. They’re all musicians and I am too, I play the guitar and the drums. My brother was the first one to play hockey. He picked it up a bit later, when he was around five years old. He’s three years older than me, so I was two years old at the time and that’s when I picked up a mini stick and just started ripping around the basement. I just fell in love with it right off the bat. I was so young . Funny story, when I was around that age and I got my first helmet and gloves and equipment, I asked my parents to sleep with my helmet and my gloves on because I loved it so much. My parents said I could only sleep in my gloves and not my helmet. There’s a picture somewhere with me with my gloves on, asleep with my hands over my head. I fell in love with it right off the bat and, and that’s the fun thing, my parents weren’t really hockey people. So I don’t have that pressure. Obviously, they’re both really proud of me but it’s kind of fun to have parents like that. My brother’s coaching now and it was fun to have an older brother who played too growing up.
What was your first impression of Owen Sound and what are some of your favourite things now?
It’s kind of similar to where I grew up, a small town by the water. The only difference is I have Ottawa which is the Capitol just 30 minutes away from my house. Here everything is two hours away. But the town itself is kind of similar to where I’m from so it was easy for me to fit in here. I’m a pretty laid back guy and I’m an introvert when I’m not at the rink, so I just stay home and do my own thing. And my billets are great. They make me feel at home. I love that it’s such a hockey town. We get a huge percentage of the population at our games. It’s crazy how everyone knows each other here. I love everything about it. Sometimes it’s obviously hard that it’s seven hours away from my hometown, but everything else feels like home.
You’re billet brother’s with young Jake Crawford, who is back on the ice tomorrow night after a bit of a break there. Jake’s had a strong start to the season. What do you think he brings to the team?
Just that young presence and that energy, that swagger that he brings every day, it’s unreal. I mean, it’s, it’s crazy how fast he’s adjusted to the OHL game. It’s fun to watch. He’s hard on himself and he cares a lot. He does all the right things, right. It’s always fun for an older guy to see that. Obviously living with him, I tried to guide him but I didn’t have to do much because right off the bat, he’s just a pro and he so, so loves the game.
Now on to the most important topics, what kind of music do you like to listen to pre-game?
I like hard rock. I get the speakers pumping with the good 80’s and 90’s hard rock. Metallica, Pantera and all that stuff. So that’s usually what I play. Crawf doesn’t like it, but I’m the one driving so I make the calls (laughs).
Am I wrong or do you and Madden Steen share a love of hard rock?
Me and Steen are slowly getting Corbin into it and a couple of the boys are slowly getting into it too. Crawf is actually even beginning to admit he likes it the more he hears it. I knew Madden a bit before we were both here and we already shared that interest so it’s been fun.
Did you see a show together this summer?
Yeah, we went to see Metallica. Montreal actually gave me two tickets to that show so I invited Steen. Last year, he brought me to see them in Buffalo and Corbin came with us. This year, it was awesome with Pantera opening.
What’s one talent you wish you had?
Singing, I can play pretty much every instrument but I can’t sing. I’m working on it, in the shower, in the car, it’s coming along.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Hockey is just a game. I have that right on my stick actually. It’s what my dad tells me. To just go out there and have fun. As stupid as it sounds, it’s literally just a game, right? I don’t beat myself up about it when things don’t go my way. I think everything happens for a reason. So I just look forward and I don’t get rattled about things I can’t control.
Which NHL player do you want to be like?
When I was young, it was Sidney Crosby. He was my favourite to watch. He really was the guy. I mean, I think he’s everyone’s favorite player, but he’s everyone’s favorite player for a reason, right? He was the guy I always had my eye on.
What’s your favourite pre-game meal?
Well, this weekend I had a decent weekend and my I billet made us a stir fry before the game, so I’ll go with that. I’m not picky for pre-game meals but they do make a good stir fry.
What’s your favourite post-game meal?
Sometimes with the boys on the road, we get Swiss Chalet. We get chicken with rice and gravy and bread. That’s a treat for me.
Thanks so much for your time Ceddy. Have a good practice.
Thanks!