'It's a crazy feeling that's pretty hard to describe'

MONTREAL -- Defenseman Mike Matheson spoke with reporters via Zoom on Monday after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins over the weekend.

Here are a few highlights from his media availability:
Matheson on his reaction to the trade:
It's definitely been a big whirlwind. I've got to say that I didn't see any sort of trade coming, but when I heard it was Montreal, it was pretty special. I grew up in Montreal on the West Island, and I learned how to play hockey watching Montreal Canadiens games. I was a huge, huge fan. Our whole family would sit down and watch every game, so to think that I'll be able to pull on that sweater and play in the Bell Centre every night is really special. It's a crazy feeling that's pretty hard to describe. It almost feels surreal.
Matheson on his wife Emily's reaction to the move, and his favorite Hab growing up:
She was so excited, too, because we've spent a few summers in Montreal. It's a familiar place for both of us. She could see the reaction on my face about how excited and how special it would be for me to play in my hometown. The player that was a household favorite for us was Saku Koivu. Everybody in our house loved him and loved watching him play.
Matheson on how playing under Martin St-Louis can help his game:
You just know him as the player that he was and how competitive he was. He overcame so much adversity. There were people telling him that he'd never make it, and he kept persevering. You could tell once he got hired by the Canadiens that there was just so much respect from his players that he commanded instantly because of his reputation, and he was obviously able to follow that up through his coaching style. I haven't been in the locker room with him, but it just seems like he's the type of guy that his players want to play for and he'll make you want to run through a brick wall for him. That sounds very cliché, but those are important aspects of a coach, having the respect of a locker room.

Matheson on the challenge of facing tougher matchups in Montreal:
My time in Pittsburgh was a good step in terms of my development. I was able to watch guys like Kristopher Letang and what he does in games and practices. I'm ready to take that next step, move forward, and take on those responsibilities. I know that it'll be a challenge, but I want a challenge like that.
Matheson on his struggles in recent years after signing a long-term contract:
I'm older now and more experienced. Would I rather have not gone through so many struggles here early on? No. They were very tough times on me and not easy times, but at the same time, they led to who I am now. It was a great learning experience. To be able to go through tough times is important for any player, if you can grow and use it to your advantage. I don't know if my contract affected things or not. Things definitely snowballed in Florida in a bad way. It didn't turn out the way I hoped for, but I don't think I'd go back and change anything because it was a huge learning experience and it has helped me and will continue to help me through the rest of my career.
Matheson on being a leader for the Canadiens' young defensemen:
All those players that are younger and kind of finding their way a little bit right now, they're there for a reason, so they don't need to earn the right to be in the position that they are. They got there by themselves. But at the same time, I think I can be very useful as somebody to lean on and to ask questions to. Even the last couple of years in Pittsburgh, I've been in the League for a while, but I was still looking to guys like Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin as guys that have been through so much more than I have been. I was watching them every day, what they do, their habits, having conversations about what it was like winning the Cup, and what the locker room was like. We talked about what led to those sorts of things coming together. I tried to take advantage of that and the friendships that I have with them to really try and learn as much as possible, and hopefully I can now pass that on.
Matheson on playing for his hometown team:
It'll be special. If you aren't from Montreal, it's tough to understand what this team means to the people. It's not just a team or a sport, it's a religion. I grew up watching this team. The Canadiens have always been my favorite team, so it'll be special to put the jersey on and hit the ice at the Bell Centre.