It’s become a bit of a running joke among Montreal Canadiens fans: Try as he might, Canadiens defenceman Victor Mete cannot score a goal.
He’s had plenty of chances — even a few empty-net opportunities — to rid the monkey from his back, but the goal column remains blank through 87 career games.
But Don Cherry isn’t here to talk about the young blue liner’s difficulties in the goal-scoring department — he’d rather show Mete’s progress in developing other areas of his game.
Cherry first noticed the Woodbridge, Ont., native when he played for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens of the GTHL and has been following his progress at the pro level.
“He’s the best skater I’ve ever seen in the GTHL,” Cherry said Saturday night during his segment on Hockey Night in Canada. “Watch him make some nice plays. I just like to show him, nobody talks about him.”
Mete has been suiting up with veteran rearguard and captain Shea Weber — a matchup Montrealers have been anticipating since Mete emerged on the scene — and his strong play has been rewarded with plenty of ice time. Cherry believes the defenceman has a bright future in le bleu, blanc et rouge.
“He’s dynamite, he’s going to be good,” he said. “He’s going to be there a long time.”
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