Post-Game shots from after the 1996 WJC Gold Medal Game

I recently saw an interview with José from when he and Team Canada won the gold medal in the 1996 World Junior Championships. The video wasn't in a format that I could post, but I did take some screen captures, and I wanted to share those. I also wanted to share part of what he said, because it was really neat and touching. Here he was at first (remember he was 19 at this time.)

One thing I noticed was when the interviewer congratulated him on being named to the All-Star Tournament team and being awarded the Best Goaltender of the Tourney award, he immediately said he owed that to his teammates. He said how well they played in front of him, and he was sure he won the awards because they won big games, and that was due to his team. I thought that was neat that he has been that way his whole career, even as a very young man.

Then the interviewer said: Before the tournament started, I know each player dedicated their effort in this tournament to an individual or people who had an effect on his life. Talk to me about who you dedicated it to and why.

José: All my family, my parents who helped me through all the tough times. And especially all my brothers. One is watching (looks at camera), “Nick, that’s for you, big brother.” (frame 2)

Then they show him holding the medal.

José: I got it, that’s for you. I dedicated this tournament to you, and I got it!” (frame 4)

Then as the interview was ending, he said thanks to the interviewer and looked back at the camera (frame 5) and said “Nick, that’s for you.”

José's Interview from FS Florida's Post-Season Special

Thanks for recording this from the TV, Nelly!

Florida Panthers assistant GM wants young goalie Jacob Markstrom to spend one more season in AHL

Sun-Sentinel.com article by Harvey Fialkov

I'm posting this because it will have an impact on José next season, even if only to determine who will be his backup.

Panthers projected goalie of the future Jacob Markstrom may still be just that after assistant General Manager Mike Santos told the Sun-Sentinel Wednesday that he would like the lanky Swede to play one more season in the American Hockey League.

Markstrom, 22, is coming off his second consecutive injury-plagued professional season in which he recovered from at least his second knee surgery in time to compete in the recently concluded playoff run by the San Antonio Rampage, Florida's first-year AHL affiliate.

Markstrom was 4-4 with a 2.85 goals-against-average in the playoffs, and was on the losing end of last week's 4-3 loss to Oklahoma City that eliminated San Antonio in the Western Conference semifinals in five games.

"He was OK,'' said Santos, who serves as the general manager of the Rampage. "I don't know what else to say. If you look at his numbers they were good; they could be better and I think they will get better.

"Again he's a young guy, and unfortunately for two years as a pro he hasn't had a full season in the minors as far as being the number one guy that we had hoped. Most of it's been because of injury, not only to him, but injuries to the goalies we have in Florida which required us to recall him.

"His season was disjointed so I still think he needs that one full year to be the guy and understand what it's like to be the guy that everyone is counting on a nightly basis.''

If that's the case, then the Panthers would most likely make the re-signing of veteran free-agent goalie Scott Clemmensen, 34, more of a priority than originally believed. Panthers GM Dale Tallon and Santos both have made it clear that they were pleased with Clemmensen's body of work in their two years together, particularly this season in which he was 14-6-6 with a 2.57 GAA.

Jose Theodore, 35, is signed through next season at $1.5 million and his bounce-back season of 22-16-11 (2.46 GAA) only reinforces Santos' oft-repeated dogma that there is no need to rush a young prospect like Markstrom.

Markstrom, the Panthers' first pick (31st overall) in the 2008 draft, played in just 37 games last year and 32 games this season in which he was 17-12-1-1 with a 2.32 GAA for San Antonio. In seven games with the Panthers, Markstrom was a respectable 2-4-1 with a 2.66 GAA.

Clemmensen, who said he would like to remain with the Panthers, earned $1.2 million, while Markstrom is signed through 2013 at $1.3 million per, however, that figure is greatly reduced if he spends most of the season in the AHL.

Post-Season Wrap Up on Fox Sports Florida

According to Frank Forte of Fox Sports Florida, there will be a half-hour post-season special about the Panthers debuting this Saturday. I checked FSF's TV listings, and I didn't see it posted, but here are the times he gave:

He said this will include a one-on-one interview he did with José! Unfortunately, I can't see it, because I can't get FS Florida, but I'm hoping someone can record it for me. I asked him if it would be posted online, but he didn't know if a full half-hour show could be posted online. I'm hoping maybe at least the interview portions could. We'll see. But if you live in the FS Florida region, be sure to check it out.

Walking down Memory Lane this Off-Season

Over on my Facebook page, each day I'm posting a photo from José's career chronologically. I'll also post them over here once a week.

January 1996. José with fellow goalie, Marc Denis, with their gold medals after Team Canada captured the 1996 World Junior Championship. José was also named to the tournament all-star team.

His Team Canada photo, 1996

February 1996 (Before he became #60). He's wearing his black Hull Olympique pads. I believe he was called up by the Canadiens due to injury, but I don't know that he actually played this game. It said it was in NJ.

This photo was also labelled as Feb 1996 (no specific day.) Maybe it was later in the month, because you can see he's wearing #60 now and he has red/white/blue pads rather than his black Hull pads. And maybe this was also one that he didn't play in, rather was the backup, because it's also labelled as NJ.

This one just said it was during the 1996-97 season.

This one also said it was during the 1996-97 season, but he had a different mask by this time.

Nov. 7, 1996. Listen to this sad caption though: "Rookie goaltender Jose Theodore of the Montreal Canadiens adjusts his helmet after allowing three goals in the third period against the Los Angeles Kings." Aww...poor José! Things will get better, little guy! ;o)

Jose Theodore of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during a game against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Molson Centre in Montreal, Canada. The Coyotes tied with the Canadiens 2-2 (Ah, the days before shootouts! :D)

01 Feb 2002: Jose Theodore of the Montreal Canadiens in his North America jersey during the NHL Allstar week in Los Angeles, California

Also from the 2002 All Star Game (with Jovo when he was playing for Vancouver.) I wouldn't have even recognized Jovo.

Goaltenders Byron Dafoe of the Boston Bruins and Jose Theodore of the Montreal Canadiens after game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The Canadiens won 2-1 to take the series 4-2. (Thanks to José!)

This one was submitted by Marielle, a fellow José fan (He's with singer Eric Lapointe, May 2002.)

Also from Marielle (June 2002 performing with Eric Lapointe.)

Extended Version of Locker Clean Out Day Interview

The full version of the interview from locker clean out day.

After Game 7 and the Handshake Line

I didn't post this right away, but we've had a few days to digest the Panthers' season being over. And this is a really nice video from Nelly, so here ya go. I hate seeing José's disappointment, but seeing the love his teammates give him is very heartwarming. Especially from Stephen Weiss...he seemed to take a lot of extra time to comfort/encourage José, and I really appreciated that.

How about some fun? Video of José doing the "YMCA" in 1998

Thanks so much to fellow José fan, Marielle, for sharing this on my Facebook page. The host of the show is Veronique Cloutier, Stephanie's sister, and story has it this was when José met Stephanie. He looks so young!! :D I'm sure it was his dance moves that wooed Stephanie. Hahahahahaha.