There was another life change that impacted Price's offseason schedule: the birth of his daughter, Liv Anniston Price, on May 6.
"It's been a little bit different," Price said. "As a first-time parent, you are obviously a little bit tired from not sleeping as well as you are used to and you feel like your training is a little bit less intense throughout the early part of the summer. Fortunately for us, though, Liv was born really early. So over the last couple of months I felt like I was able to catch up."
Despite the new responsibilities at home and a shorter offseason, Price made time for the all-day fundraiser Saturday. Price, from the remote town of Anahim Lake in northern British Columbia, has raised more than $170,000 in two years and knows what it means to the more than 200 kids who have received equipment, registration fees and training through the Eli Wilson Goaltending Sponsorship Fund.
"It's awesome. Made a lot of kids happy today," Price said, "And to help get equipment for kids that don't have it available to them means a lot to me because I have seen a lot of kids with a lot of potential but just didn't have the opportunity, and this can help them."
Looking lean after a summer that included regular yoga practice, Price said he is down to 218 pounds after carrying 226 pounds into this same event last summer.
"I typically fluctuate between 220-to-225, but I feel comfortable around 218," said Price, noting he ended his Calder Cup-winning rookie season in 2006-07 at around 260 pounds. "As my career progresses, as I get older, I'd like to start lightening up a little, maybe toward 215 or 212. It's a lot of up and down in a season, so packing around an extra five pounds makes a difference."
Given his importance to the Canadiens, some might argue Price carries a lot more weight on his shoulders during the season. For now, fans in Montreal will be happy to see Price moving his own weight so effortlessly, powerfully and smoothly around his crease again.