The fan and media pressure in New York is never easy to deal with. But it's worse in Montreal — when you're talking about hockey.
And new Canadiens center Scott Gomez is ready for it.
"I now will know what it's like being a New York Yankee every day," he told USA Today.
It's weird to think that there is any fan base more passionate, more invested, more diehard than a fan base in New York, but already, Gomez sees differences between his life in the city and his life in Montreal.
"Sure, New York can be tough, but you are still fourth in line," he told the newspaper. "I'm just not used to walking outside and in two seconds [someone] saying, 'Hi, and how are you going to do here?' But this is part of the job in Montreal."
In addition to becoming acclimated with the passionate fandom in his new city, Gomez is further immersing himself with the culture by taking French lessons for an hour and a half five days a week. But while his new environment is exciting, he hasn't completely abandoned his New York roots yet.
"Hey, if a team doesn't want you, it doesn't want you," he said. "I love New York. I spent 10 years in the New York area, and it's always a bit of a shock at first."
Gomez, 29, spent seven years with the Devils and two with the Rangers before being traded to the Canadiens in exchange for Chris Higgins and prospect Ryan McDonagh. He is entering the third year of a seven-year, $51.5 million deal.
