Quotes of the day: Anderson

MONTREAL - The Canadiens acquired forward Josh Anderson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in return for Max Domi and Montreal's third-round pick (78th overall) in 2020 on Tuesday. Anderson met the media via conference call on Wednesday morning.
Read on for some highlights of what he and general manager Marc Bergevin had to say

A teammate of Domi's with the London Knights back in Junior, Anderson reflected on being traded for a good friend of his:
"It's something that you didn't expect, obviously, getting traded for one of your best buddies. It was a pretty big shock yesterday. I know that when it did happen and we found out, we shortly FaceTimed each other right after. He just spoke very highly about Montreal and how much he loved it, and said, 'You're going to have a blast there.' It was definitely weird being traded for Max.
"He just said, 'It's a first-class organization, you're going to get treated very well there. The guys are great; they've got a great team. And you're going to absolutely love the city.' He just said that the fans are just so passionate. He said that I'm going to thrive there and do very well."

Hailing from Burlington, ON and growing up a Toronto fan, Anderson said he can still appreciate how special it is to be joining the Canadiens:
"Obviously I went to a lot of Leafs games. But I do remember on my 16th birthday, I was fortunate enough to go anywhere in the world and I picked to go to a Montreal playoff game. So my dad ended up taking me down for the night, and I believe the Montreal Canadiens were playing the Pittsburgh Penguins in the playoffs. To experience that as a 16-year-old and to see what it was like in the playoffs in the Bell Centre was pretty amazing."
The 6-foot-3, 222-pound winger gave reporters a scouting report on himself and highlighted what he thinks are his best attributes:
"I think just my physical play, my shot, and my speed. I think it brings a lot to the game, especially how fast the game is moving in today's world. That's just a big factor and I'm going to continue playing that way."
Speaking to the media on Tuesday night, general manager Marc Bergevin explained his decision to pull the trigger on the trade:
"Players who play that style of game, a big guy who skates very well, who has the scoring touch, and who plays physically... there are not a lot of those in the NHL. So when we kicked the tires and saw that he might be available, that was someone who, for the needs of the team, was important to acquire. The price we had to pay, as we know, was Max, so we made the trade to acquire him."

Anderson played only 26 games in 2019-20 due to injury, but affirmed that he is healthy and ready to go:
"I tore my labrum on my left shoulder along with a fractured clavicle that I had to clean up. It took some time for some healing. But then again, once I went in the bubble, I was right there. I was feeling strong and ready to play. I wanted it to be 100% before you play playoff hockey, because it's such a different game in the playoffs. That being said, if Columbus was able to move past Tampa, I was going to be ready. I was practicing hard, doing battle drills, and I felt great. But then again, I didn't want to put myself in jeopardy and come back early."
The 26-year-old, who set career highs in goals (27), assists (20), and points (47) in 2018-19 with Columbus on his biggest motivation heading into next season:
"Just proving a lot of people wrong; I've been doing that for my entire life. I succeeded pretty well in my first three years in the League, and then obviously last year with that down year, with being injured and not being healthy... things happen like that. I'm going to come in this year, I've never been more confident in myself. I've been working for this opportunity for eight months now, so, I'm going to thrive off it and and do some good things."