Hedican surprised by Huet trade

Cristobal Huet signs autographs at Memorial Gardens alongside the Hockeyville Trophy at a Coach4food event coordinated by Tom Hedican. Huet wanted to come to North Bay to help thank the community for assisting in the Coach4food campaign. Photo by Chris Dawson.

The man who helped the NHL discover Cristobal Huet can’t seem to understand how Montreal could unload the former NHL All-Star to the Washington Capitals at the Trade Deadline for a second round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

“I think if the Leafs can get second and fifth round draft picks for Hal Gill, I would have thought Montreal could get more than just a second round pick for an NHL All-Star,” Hedican said in an email Wednesday to BayToday.ca.

“I think Cristo's time in Montreal has to be judged in its entirety. His first year, he led the NHL in save percentage at .929 and became the team's number one goalie, allowing them to trade Jose Theodore and a huge contract. Year two, he was selected as an NHL All-Star by the coaches, which, to me, is far more significant than being voted in by fans. This year, he has been in the top five in save percentage most of the year. His numbers have slipped a little lately, but that is temporary and he is still tied for 10th.”

However, Huet was in the final year of a two-year contract and would have potentially become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.

Hedican – a professional goaltender consultant in Europe and goalie coach for the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves – spoke with Huet shortly after the trade was made.

“He said the Capitals players and staff have been great and that Olaf Kolzig was particularly welcoming to him. I know one thing: the Washington Capitals have got themselves a world-class goalie and an even better person. And I am very grateful that hundreds of kids and parents got to meet him in person last year in North Bay.”

Huet did join Hedican last spring at Memorial Gardens as the new Washington Capitals netminder signed countless autographs for North Bay hockey players and volunteers who helped out in Hedican’s amazing Coach4Food initiative.