Carey Price Reflects on Career, Retirement, and Life After Hockey
Legendary Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price recently appeared on the Never Offside Podcast with Julie Petry and Cat Toffoli. The conversation, recorded at the Petry’s Florida home while the Price family enjoyed spring break (Jeff Petry was away with the Minnesota Wild), offered a fascinating glimpse into Price’s perspective on his career, his forced retirement, and his life beyond the rink.
The Trade and Retirement
Price revealed he anticipated his trade to the San Jose Sharks, having been informed by his agent a week prior. He felt it was the best course of action to support the Canadiens. While acknowledging the unusual experience of undergoing a medical with a new team, he appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with Tyler Toffoli. He famously tweeted his continued allegiance to the Canadiens, even in teal: “Always a Hab. Just a teal one for now 😉🔵⚪️🔴”.
Forced into retirement due to persistent knee issues, Price expressed a deep longing for the game itself, the camaraderie with teammates, and the adrenaline rush of stepping onto the ice. He fondly recalled his father flying him to practices as a child, even allowing him to take the controls of the plane – a story that brought a chuckle, admitting, “That’s probably the first thing I learned to drive.”
Early NHL Days and Locker Room Stories
Price reminisced about his early days in the NHL, sharing that he lived with Kyle Chipchura during his first season. He found the Canadiens easy to integrate into, thanks to the presence of many young players. A particularly memorable story involved trading a hockey stick to a young fan in Edmonton for a lasso, which became a fixture in his stall and occasionally used to playfully “rope” teammates – a favourite memory of Jeff Petry’s wife.
Despite not being known as a trash-talker, Price admitted that opposing players’ attempts to get under his skin often motivated him. He recounted an incident at the Sochi Olympics, where a Latvian player tried to undermine his confidence, prompting Price to respond with a dominant performance and a Canadian victory.
Teammate Superlatives and Competitive Spirit
The podcast featured a fun segment of superlatives. Price named P.K. Subban as the best class clown, Andrei Markov and Roman Hamrlik as the best dressed (with a playful jab at Plekanec’s turtleneck), Saku Koivu, Shea Weber, and Mike Condon as the most intelligent, and Brendan Gallagher as the most intense competitor – a quality still highly valued by Habs management. Paul Byron also received a mention in this category.
When asked about outdoor activities, Price highlighted Byron and Weber, sharing a story of Jake Evans accidentally dropping his phone into a fishing hole during an ice fishing trip. He also playfully pointed out that P.K. Subban once missed the team bus, though his wife quickly reminded him that he had done the same.
Cole Caufield and the Future of the Canadiens
A humorous moment arose when asked about Cole Caufield potentially becoming the next “Mr. Saturday Night.” Price playfully expressed mock dismay, suggesting “Mr. Saturday evening” might be a more fitting title.
Lasting Memories and Current Life
Price shared that playing the first game of the Conference Final in Vegas, after two rounds in empty arenas, was the most energized he’d ever felt. Now in retirement, he’s enjoying watching his children grow and pursuing hobbies like hunting. He identified Alexander Ovechkin as the most difficult player to read while attacking his net, praising Ovechkin’s quick and powerful shot.
He also expressed admiration for Jacob Fowler, a current goaltender, even offering him his jersey number. Marc-Andre Fleury was named the funniest goalie to play against, known for copying his shootout save pose.
Four years into retirement, Carey Price appears content and at peace, embracing his post-hockey life. While his early departure from the game was a disappointment, it’s inspiring to see him thriving in this new chapter.
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