FILE - In this May 20, 2010, file photo, Montreal Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak watches the puck head into the net on a goal by Philadelphia Flyers’ Simon Gagne during third period of Game 3 NHL Eastern Conference final in Montreal. The St. Louis Blues have acquired goaltender Jaroslav Halak from the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, June 17, 2010, in exchange for forwards Lars Eller and Ian Schultz. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)
AP
Jaroslav Halak will never get a chance to produce an encore performance with the Montreal Canadiens after he impressively lead the team’s run to the Eastern Conference finals. You cannot blame some Habs fans for getting a little attached to the goalie who seemed impregnable through two rounds of the playoffs against the Penguins and Capitals, the two teams who were considered the upper crust of the conference.
The team decided to spend its money on the likes of Tomas Plekanec and Carey Price instead of Halak, so he had to say goodbye. On the bright side, Halak decided to do so while also benefiting charity, and Habs Inside/Out shares the fact that his autograph session raised $22,000.
Jaroslav Halak raised an estimated $22,000 for Ste. Justine Children’s Hospital Saturday, signing 1,100 autographs over a period of roughly three hours.
Halak’s circus-like appearance at La Capsule Sportive in Montreal-suburban Pointe-Claire attracted an estimated 5,000 fans. But even signing furiously at a rate of about six autographs per minute, his 3 1/2-hour appearance also including media interviews, Halak could sign for “only” 1,100 over three hours. He met thousands of fans on his way out of the mall when security asked him to pack it in 30 minutes after the mall closed, 90 minutes after the scheduled end of the signing session.
Halak will spend a couple of days in Montreal, wrapping up some personal affairs, before flying to St. Louis midweek. He’ll formally meet the St. Louis Blues ownership group on Wednesday and be introduced to that city’s media at a Thursday news conference.
Who knows if Halak will be able to make good on his outstanding postseason performance, but at least he seems like a solid guy. Then again, you can’t blame him for feeling pretty charitable after he seemingly received the only decent deal of any goalie who didn’t go Russia this summer, inking a four-year, $15 million deal.