When he’s not shutting down the opposition, Montreal Canadiens forward Phillip Danault trades in his skates for soil, finding relaxation through an indoor garden.
For 11 seasons and nearly 800 regular-season NHL games, Danault, now in his second term with the Canadiens, has been known for his meticulous approach to each game and every shift, attention to detail guiding him from puck drop to the final horn.
Outside of that world, the 33-year-old forward is replicating those same qualities, albeit in a less demanding environment.
“You know what?” Danault told NHLPA.com. “Today, I planted some seeds. I like to do gardening. I went to the garden centre today and bought a tree for the house. I have a little passion for it – vegetables and flowers, that type of thing.”
The native of Victoriaville, Quebec, provided a photo of his work, which includes rows of herbs on a shelf, an indoor tree and a Canadiens hat beside a yellow watering can.
“It calms me. The more green colour there is in the house, the calmer it is. …Gardening has been a lot of fun for me. I enjoy it a lot.
When he’s not tending to his hobby or playing a game of mini-sticks with his kids, Danault is laser-focused on contributing to a Montreal team tussling for top spot in the Eastern Conference.
The 26th overall pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011, known for his stalwart defensive play, has found an ideal fit on the Original Six club.
“My role has changed, but for the best,” said Danault, who previously played for the Canadiens for five and a half seasons from 2016 to 2021. “There were adjustments for myself, but it has been great for me. We have so many skill players, pure talent, so they needed a more defensive-role type [of player]. Obviously, I want to try and bring a two-way game, but I just try to do the best I can every night.”
Danault, who was a member of the Habs when they went to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021, has high praise for this edition of the team.
“How fast we can strike, the little details we have to the game, the dedication from the youngest players to the oldest – it is a very determined group,” said Danault, who has received votes for the Selke Trophy in six of the last seven campaigns for his two-way game.
What does he perceive as a successful game for himself?
“I would say having a great stick all around the ice, on the forecheck, creating turnovers, being tough to play against, engaging the other team, creating scoring chances and being solid on the penalty kill – just having a solid two-way game.
“With time, 11-plus years now [in the NHL], you get experience. Competing when everything counts has always been in my DNA and I enjoy that challenge.”
And then there are the fans – a passionate base who happily welcomed him back into the fold.
Their support has not gone unnoticed by Danault, who came back to Montreal via a trade from Los Angeles this past December.
“I would say one of the best things about being back here is the fans, the passion they have for the game. Obviously, the electricity in the building is amazing. The fans have been great to us.”
Factor in that the Canadiens are one of the NHL's hottest teams heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs and it couldn't get much better – at least for now – for Danault and his family.
“To wear the jersey again is very special and this is home for us, too. My kids are older now, so they get to experience the real Montreal Canadiens life.”
With a little bit of green sprinkled in to go along with the bleu, blanc et rouge.
(Feature photo courtesy of Getty Images)