It is easy to be confused with arrogance. The two sail side by side in fact, never holding hands above an imaginary thin line. Wright gives the impression of crossing here, this line, like a tightrope walker, without crossing it. A work for an 18 year old full of talent, adored and praised since childhood.

The handshake is firm, the iron blue look is straightforward, direct, it doesn’t evade any question. The young man smiled. He has his third interview today and the ball is just starting. For the written press, TV or radio, he traces it to the habit of a man who knows how to do it. He knew tobacco, and with good reason.

He sat down and we had no choice but to tell him what jumped at us: his striking resemblance to Jonathan Drouin (please don’t send emails about it, editor’s note).

You know what, I’ve been told that many timesexcited he said.

Jonathan looks kindwe encourage him.

He has great hands especiallyhe replied.

Hit. That was his interest, of course.

On Tuesday night, Wright learned that the Canadiens had won the lottery and were first to draft overall. He politely declined our interview request that night – he was playing against the North Bay Battalion in the playoffs – and postponed it until the next day.

He doesn’t admit it, but it’s obvious. In his head, Wright already saw himself with a blue-white-red sweater on his back. He remembers the time when, at a tournament in Montreal in the spring, he visited the Bell Center facilities. A guided tour where he has fond memories.

The Frontenacs of Kingston were formerly called Canadiens. There were several banners of their pride hanging on the wall of the arena.

In my first year, we wore the retro jersey of the Kingston Canadiens. You could say it was a funny twist of fatesaid Wright.

Well, we won’t be embarrassed then. Another wink, the fact that CH will be speaking in the very first set a year less than a day after losing in the Stanley Cup final. Some have not seen him establish himself at the top of the hierarchy in the medium or long term, but no one has seen such a brutal collapse.

That’s why when Luca Caputi, Wright’s coach, called him to his office between the warm-up period and the start of the game on Tuesday, the TV paused with the Canadiens logo clearly visible, the young man smiled. From ear to ear daw.

We had a momentconfides met Caputi on Wednesday noon before training his troops.

In what genre?

It will remain between him and me […] but let’s just say that this is one of those times when words are no longer neededhe explains.

The critics

Wright will be tied with CH until July 6. At least until the team appears on the podium. Then, the decision of the Montrealers will decide the rest of the relationship.

You know now, Wright is not united. Some admire him, others doubt him. Recruiters and analysts are beginning to admit that he is not, or is no longer, at the top of their list. We prefer American Logan Cooley, even Slovak Juraj Slafkovsky, who impressed the gallery at the Beijing Olympics.

Rumors spread quickly and went to an echo chamber in Montreal. Wright is not immune to it.

It comes down to trust. When asked if it was so important for him to come out first, Ontario replied:

” This is very important to me. I think, my achievements over the years prove that I am the best player in this draft. That I deserve to be the very first choice. I do it personally. I want to win everything, including coming out first and being the best player in this draft. I think, that’s where I deserve. “

He is then given the opportunity to explain why, in his opinion, some scouts criticize his lack of enthusiasm, of being competitive.

He does not move. Only the lashes are blinking a little … seems … not sure …

Honestly, I haven’t heard that yet. This is the first time I’ve been told that. I’m competitive, I play hard. Obviously there will be nights where I can’t compete 100%. This is the nature of the sport. You can’t be your best every night. Maybe. I can’t say be honestWright went down.

If he is trembling, he does not show it. Better be prepared for it with so many interviews with the teams that await him in physical trials in Buffalo in June. Not to mention the fiery journalists.

Instead Luca Caputi believes his style of play sometimes gives the impression that he ignores things.

Maybe he’s a patient player sometimes. You can’t run 100 miles per hour all the time, you’ll expire before the second stage. This slows the game to speed up when it’s time. This allows him to control the game with his intelligence. He makes sure everyone is playing at their respective pace, he controls the tempo.

Pressure and pandemic

Wright puts another layer on. When he earned outstanding player status to begin his career in the Ontario Junior League (OHL) at age 15 – one of five players to receive this privilege along with John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid and Sean Day – was once seen him as a talent of the generation.

And at least, his rating is higher than it is now; his status as the first choice of the 2022 draft seems to have been taken. It was not questioned until two months before the auction.

He is said to be another talent of the generation.

I believe in him. I still have a lot to learn and improve. But overall, in my game now and how I see it evolving, I still think I can be that player.he assured.

Caputi, not to be confused with the American author with similar patronymic musicality, speaks of him as a superstar.

He agrees despite all that the pandemic hurt his young protégé, like all the other young hockey players in that matter. A line of thinking, according to him, to explain some criticism.

Wright was virtually inactive in the competition in 2020-21. As captain, along with prodigy Connor Bedard, he led Canada to gold in the Under-18 World Cup. The Burlington playmaker has 14 points in 5 games including 9 goals.

Much of his training consists of gym sessions, occasional mock games with players his age, and rollerblading. Lots of time on rollerblades, in fact.

I like that. This is the closest thing to ice skatingaccording to him.

In-line skating on the affluent streets of the suburbs of Toronto. Like all young Canadian hockey players from coast to coast. Like when he was eight years old.

Now he’s 18 and if the Canadiens choose him, he can’t get away with the comfort of this slightly romantic outlook of childhood.

This will be Montreal and its expectations. And its pressure.

” All my life, I have had to deal with pressure. I am always in the limelight. When the pressure is high, that’s where I go out and show my colors. I like pressure, I welcome it and I’ve gotten used to it over the years. “

That might be helpful.

So, Shane, where are you going to play next year?

In the NHL, I feel like that’s where I’m needed.

In Montreal or elsewhere. You have two months left to debate this for your own enjoyment.