Q&A | Louis Crevier talks advice for 7th-round picks, golf, facing his old team and more

It’s been a big couple days for Louis Crevier. 

Barely after breakfast on Thursday, the 25-year-old was rewarded with a four-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $4 million. And that, of course, came hours before he’d even played a game with the club. 

“I think it was a little bit overwhelming at some points,” Crevier admitted. “It was a lot of stuff happening in my mind. … But overall, I’m really excited.” 

It was an unorthodox situation but a fitting one, considering Crevier’s road up until this point has been anything but smooth. He’s a unique case – a 6-foot-8 D-man from Quebec selected in the seventh round by the Chicago Blackhawks (in the 2020 draft delayed by COVID-19), who played in 118 AHL games before sticking in the big leagues full time. 

Crevier has long towered over his competition, bringing brooding size yet silky skating to the Sabres' blue line after Buffalo acquired him in a July deal. Oh, and add that to Crevier’s big week – he’ll face his old team on Saturday, when Chicago comes to town for the home opener at KeyBank Center. 

Sabres.com caught up with Crevier after practice Friday to discuss all of that and more, including his golf game, the struggles of being 6-foot-8 and who on the team he’d do karaoke with.

Sabres.com: I bet this has been a crazy 24 hours for you. Who was the first person you called when you signed your extension? 

LC: I was in talks with my family the whole time, because I think it is sort of family decision. I was asking their advice and whatnot. They were the first people, they knew a little bit before as well, so it wasn’t a big surprise. 

What’s the first thing you’re going to buy? 

I don't know. I'll have to think about this one. Still got to be careful with money – I don't have it until next year. I’ve got to hold on a little bit. 

Saturday, you’re going against the team that drafted you. Is there extra emotion going into the home opener? 

For sure. It’s going to be a first. I've been there for a long time with the AHL, NHL groups, so it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be exciting with the home opener as well. Just going to try to enjoy it as much as possible.

The Blackhawks drafted you in the seventh round back in 2020, which was a weird draft for a lot of reasons. What do you remember about that day? 

I remember it was a really long day. It was COVID, so it was online. We had something set up at Chicoutimi (his QMJHL city) for the draft, but it took a long time. But in the end, I was super happy. It was more relief than anything else at that point. Good memories, but it was hard at the same time.

Were you expecting to get picked at that point? 

Well, as the draft went on, I kind of lost a little bit of hope. That's what kind of made it a little bit more difficult for me. But in the end, I got drafted to a place where they wanted me and they gave me a chance, and I was super grateful. 

If you could give advice to another seventh-round pick in the NHL, what would you tell them? 

Probably trying to bring something different from other players and just trusting the process. Don’t compare yourself too much against other people, because it's different journeys. Of course, when you're in the seventh round, even though they say you're going to get the same chances, it's going to be harder to get them. But when they come, you’ve got to own it. 

Your size is one of your biggest attributes as a defenseman. Are there any negatives to being 6-foot-8 that most people wouldn’t think about? 

Of course. I don’t think the world is made for being more than 6-foot-5. Planes are a tough one sometimes. 

Growing up in Quebec, did you play other sports? 

I came from a golf family. My uncle played pretty high-level golf, so I had a golf club in my hands before a hockey stick. I played some soccer a little bit. But I picked up hockey when I was six, and then just fell in love with it. 

What made you gravitate to hockey versus golf? 

Good question, I don’t know. I just watched the game, and I said I loved it and wanted to try it. Back home, everyone wants to play hockey. For some families, it's harder to put their kids in hockey, but I was fortunate enough to get a chance. 

What’s your handicap? 

I don’t know my handicap. I’ve lost track for a while. I think I’m a good scramble player, but playing a full game… Yeah, I would struggle a little bit. 

You played under Patrick Roy for a year in the QMJHL. Any good stories from him? 

I don’t have a lot of stories, but I always remember him being super open to the players, to the staff. I really liked him as a coach. If someone could have a big head, it’d be him, but he was really down to earth. He’s always talking about playing with swagger, that’s one thing I liked about him. 

A few quick hits for you. Favorite meal? 

Pasta. 

Coffee or tea? 

I like coffee. 

Favorite TV show? 

Succession. 

Go-to karaoke song? 

I’d say Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis. 

Who would be your karaoke partner on the team? 

I don’t know – maybe (Matt) Grzelcyk? I know him a little bit better. 

Do you have any hidden talents? 

I feel like I can beat a lot of people at chess. I don’t know if that’s a hidden talent. 

Are you a morning or night person? 

Night. 

Favorite place you’ve traveled? 

Italy. 

Dream destination to travel to? 

I’d love to go to New Zealand one day, that’d be a cool spot. 

If you were an animal, what animal would you be? 

Probably a giraffe. 

Alex Lyon walks by and laughs loudly. 

Yeah. A giraffe.