Montreal Canadien Nick Suzuki has already had a pretty good start to his career in the National Hockey League and at just 23 years of age and coming off the best season of his career as an NHL pro, many expect there are even greater things still ahead in Suzuki’s. future.
While most of the expectations regarding Suzuki’s bright future usually focus on the forward’s level of skill and his ability to contribute as a member of the Canadiens, on a recent episode of the Raw Knuckles podcast Suzuki was asked about another remarkable aspect of his game and one that is often overlooked.
It may not be immediately obvious to fans who only watch the games but Suzuki has already built up a very good reputation for himself in the sport of hockey, one that would lead you to believe that he is among the most genuine and kind athletes in a sport that is already full of kind and genuine players.
Former NHLer Chris Nilan asked Suzuki about this reputation, citing the fact that the young man won the William Hanley Trophy in 3 straight seasons as the Ontario Hockey League’s most sportsmanlike player, and questioned whether or not a Lady Byng Trophy was destined to be in his NHL future.
“It looks like it from the past,” admitted Suzuki on the Raw Knuckles podcast. “It wasn’t really planned to win it 3 years in a row, I almost lucked into that. But I guess teams voted for me on the other side which I’m very thankful for. To win it 3 years in a row is pretty special and it’s probably gonna be kinda hard to do again.”
Suzuki is of course being very modest here as one does not simply “lucky” into winning an award that is voted on by your peers for 3 years running.
Nilan, who made a career as an NHL enforcer, was asked about never winning the Lady Byng himself during his career which gave Suzuki an opportunity to get in a hilarious wisecrack during the question.
“You weren’t close,” asked Suzuki with a laugh?
If the past is any indication though, Suzuki may have a real chance of earning the award in the near future.
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