Muller: No shortcuts to success

BROSSARD - Off-ice testing was on the agenda on Thursday as the Canadiens formally began their annual Development Camp at the Bell Sports Complex.

The gym was packed with prospects and invitees who were put through the paces by the organization's sports science and performance staff.
Hopefuls went about their business sporting T-shirts with the slogan - 'Attitude is everything' - on their backs as they began their experience at the Habs' practice facility.

The slogan is closely tied to the message associate coach Kirk Muller delivered to the youngsters on Wednesday morning, when he addressed them for approximately 30 minutes in the Canadiens' video room.
"There's nothing more that I want to see than you guys develop and grow in the right direction and take advantage of the opportunity that you're going to get. The facilities here are second-to-none, along with the trainers, the doctors, the coaches and the development coaches. They're all here for you guys. We're here because we want you guys to succeed and we want you guys to carry on the tradition of being a Montreal Canadien," said Muller. "When camp's over, we want you to walk out going - 'That's not good enough. What they ingrained in me in those few days of camp means I get it as far as what it takes to be not only a person that makes the NHL, but I want to be a champion and I want to represent the Montreal Canadiens.'"
The 19-year NHL veteran and six-time All-Star spent some time touching upon the Canadiens' Stanley Cup triumph in 1993, beginning that portion of his talk by telling those in attendance about the commitment players had made to one another in training camp, long before they hoisted the precious trophy the following June.
"This little card right here, I still have it. In 1993, we came together as a team. We came together and we had a coach that said - "Guys, we're on a mission. We are making a team commitment in 1993." And, we put our number on it. It started off with a culture of believing that if you do stuff together and you make a commitment, you don't know what's going to happen," described Muller. "What I saw [back then] and like many of you on championship teams [have seen], is the commitment and that there are no shortcuts."

Then, Muller proudly displayed his Stanley Cup ring and passed it around so everyone could see it.
"From that little card of working together, that was the end result," mentioned Muller, referencing the ring. "I never wear it. The reason I don't wear it is because I'm after the next one. When I'm done hockey, then I'll wear that ring again. I brought it here to show you guys. From this card, from all the sweat and hard work, from this little card results in that. But, you don't get that first. No one gives the rings out. No one lets you put your name on the Stanley Cup until you get that paper first."

Muller proceeded to ask his audience an important question, one that challenged them to push themselves going forward once camp is officially in the books.
"You have a few days here, the opportunity to get all the knowledge and the all the information that you want," said Muller. "You want to get better every day, every shift, every practice that you go on the ice. You want to get better every day that you work out in the gym. They're going to work with you and educate you. What are you going to do with it?"
Director of player development Rob Ramage insists that Muller's message is one of great importance.
"That process starts now, about being a Montreal Canadien… It's about starting to ingrain that positive attitude, that work ethic, the pride of what the Montreal Canadiens are all about. That's what we're starting right now with these young guys, so when they come to Montreal, they already know," stressed Ramage, during a media opportunity on Thursday. "Five minutes early is 15 minutes late when you're a Montreal Canadien. That's the type of thing we're talking about."