Juulsen: Firefighting is a family affair

MONTREAL - If you weren't a hockey player, what would you be?

That's a fairly common question for NHLers, youngsters and veterans alike.
In Noah Juulsen's case, the answer comes rather quickly and without hesitation.
"It would be either a firefighter or a police officer. That's what I was thinking when I was younger, if hockey didn't work out," said the 21-year-old defenseman, who is back home in British Columbia for the summer. "I think that was my backup plan going into it."

Juulsen's interest in pursuing a career in public safety isn't a surprise, though, given his father Neil's occupation as a 20-year veteran of the Surrey Fire Department, with whom he is currently a captain.
Neil also served as a volunteer firefighter for five years prior to making it a full-time gig.
Trips to the fire hall were commonplace for Juulsen and his siblings - older brothers Tyler and Nick, and younger sister Kaitlyn.
"My mom [Kimberly] took us quite a bit. We were always there checking out the fire trucks and the tools on them. That was the cool thing to do," recalled Juulsen. "We'd bring our friends. My dad would show us everything."

As the future Habs rearguard got older, it wasn't just the fire trucks that impressed him about his father's profession, but the incredible camaraderie amongst the squad members.
"It's the teamwork of it all. They're always going to calls together and going into buildings together. Nobody is ever left behind in that situation. Someone takes the lead and goes in first, but there are always guys who have their back. I think that's the biggest thing," explained Juulsen. "My dad would always talk about that. The support at the fire hall between the firefighters is awesome."
The Abbotsford, BC native internalized that team-first attitude and incorporated it into his game. That eventually led to him being named captain of the WHL's Everett Silvertips in October 2016 - a year-and-a-half before making his NHL debut this past February on the Habs' blue line.
"With my dad being a captain, he has qualities like that to lead groups and show them the right things. That was a big thing growing up, the respect factor. That was huge in our household," noted Juulsen. "That's what kept us close together, respecting one another."
Interestingly enough, Tyler is following in Neil's footsteps. His first day on the job is Monday, May 7 with the Surrey Fire Department, as he begins six weeks of on-the-job training.

"With my brother getting into it now, it's really a part of the family. It's a big part of our life," said Juulsen. "He's been chipping away at it for three years. He stuck with it. I'm super proud of him."
As is Neil of Noah's accomplishments during the 2017-18 campaign with both the AHL's Laval Rocket and the Canadiens. His co-workers are, too - even if they reside in Vancouver Canucks territory.
"Every time we were playing this year, my dad would put the game on at the hall. Sometimes, they'd miss half the game on a call, but my dad would always text me after. They'd PVR the game and watch the other half when they got back," said Juulsen. "It's great to just see that support."