Big scoop involving Shea Weber and the Montreal Canadiens
During the 2003 draft, Bob Gainey selected Andrei Kostitsyn in the first round before picking the enigmatic Cody Urquhart in the second round.
From what we learn today, the fate of the Canadiens in the 2000s could have been quite different if the General Manager had listened to his amateur scout Elmer Benning.
In a recent edition of the podcast Processus, Éric Hoziel reported that the former Canadiens scout was pushing hard for his boss to select none other than Shea Weber with the 40th pick (instead of Urquhart). Even though Weber eventually played with the Canadiens, having Shea Weber from the start of his career would have significantly changed things in Montreal. It's notable that Urquhart never ended up playing a single game in the NHL.
A former Montreal Canadiens scout wanted the team to draft Shea Weber in 2003
Benning, who is the father of Jim Benning, former GM of the Vancouver Canucks (2014-2021), eventually received an apology from the former Canadiens GM for not listening to him. Having learned his lesson, Gainey did follow Benning's advice during the 2005 draft, strongly recommending a certain Carey Price!
Imagine how a Price/Weber duo, together from 2005, could have given the Canadiens a new lease on life.
We can even add another layer to this as in 2003, Gainey not only passed on Weber but also on Patrice Bergeron. The Quebec native was selected five spots after Urquhart, and it's fair to say he had a better career than Andrei Kostitsyn (picked 10th overall). Without twisting the knife, a trio of Bergeron/Weber/Price would have been exceptional.
Via
DLC - SHEA WEBER : EN 2003, UN RECRUTEUR DU CH POUSSAIT FORT POUR LE REPÊCHER
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