Buffalo - September 26, 2014 - Josh Gorges had spent most of his career with the Montreal Canadiens. The last eight years wearing the bleu, blanc et rouge has given him a fierce sense of loyalty towards the Canadiens.
It seems it’s also developed a fierce hatred for the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
Prior to his trade to the Buffalo Sabres, Gorges was a strong possibility to land in the hockey mecca (of Ontario, at least): Toronto. But he told the Canadiens that there was no way he could play for them. He said that Toronto was a team he’d “grown to hate”:
“After playing against them for that many years of being our No. 1 rival, I just didn’t think it would’ve been fair to them,” Gorges told The Canadian Press.
“I wouldn’t have been the same player that they would’ve expected me to be. Over time I would’ve got there. But I just didn’t think I could commit my heart to playing the right way.”
In Buffalo, Gorges could see himself paired up with former Calder Trophy winner Tyler Myers. His solid, veteran presence could help Myers get back to that status after a few years of struggle.
“The fact we’re paired up at camp excites us both,” Myers told the Buffalo News. “We’ve talked about it. It not only excites us but I think we’re going to demand a lot out of each other back there and we’re going to start right from the beginning here.”
Not only that, but he can play a leadership role for the entire locker room, permeated with youngsters like fellow defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen, Mark Pysyk and Nikita Zadorov, not to mention top pick Sam Reinhart.
Yours truly is glad to have filled in the Maple Leaf hatred void left by Ryan Miller’s trade. There should always be someone on your team with a vast hatred for the Leafs.
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When not inanely bantering about the Sabres, Ryan Womeldorf can be found here and at TwoPadStack.net talking all things hockey. He's usually got a lot to say, but sadly most of it is wrong. If you have any questions, feel free to contact him at rwomeldorf@hometownhockey.ca
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