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For the past few decades, hardly any Maple Leaf wanted to draw attention to himself and the time gap between Stanley Cup years by wearing the No. 67 linked to the last championship seasons.
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Max Pacioretty didn’t hesitate as that’s been his ID since breaking in with the Montreal Canadiens in 2008. Yes, he knows the double-digit significance.
“Hopefully it’s good luck,” the Connecticut native said with a laugh when asked about his choice as camp workouts began Thursday. “Some fans say it could go two ways.”
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Defenceman Robert Svehla wore it in 2002-03, the Slovakian saying at the time he didn’t know any better, while it was winger Brandon Kozun’s burden for 20 games in 2014-15. The Leafs’ Stanley Cup drought is an NHL-record 57 years.
“Back then (at Pacioretty’s first Habs camp) you didn’t have much of a say and every number seems to have been retired or taken by someone,” he said. “Maybe at one point I thought about switching, but my dad said that’s my number now and I have to stick with it.”
Pacioretty is also reminded he could be just the third captain of the Canadiens to play for Toronto in 107 years after George Hainsworth and Kirk Muller.
“I’ve heard a bit about that,” he said. “Two special franchises. It’s an honour to be here and wear this jersey.”
X: @sunhornby
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