**Title: Sidney Crosby's Call Influenced Canadiens' Zachary Bolduc** When Sidney Crosby calls, it’s wise to pick up. This was the case for Zachary Bolduc, a young hockey player with dreams of playing in the NHL. In 2019, Bolduc, a native of Trois-Rivières, was uncertain about his future in hockey. He had just attended training camp with the junior Rimouski Océanic but felt unsure if that path would lead to a professional career. Initially, Bolduc signed with the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL, where he played two games. However, everything changed when he received a call from Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins star and a prominent alumnus of the Océanic. “It was special for sure. I didn’t expect that call,” Bolduc said after practice in Brossard, just before the Canadiens' season opener against the Maple Leafs. “He told me how great Rimouski was for him. Some of the coaches he had were still there. It was a special moment for sure. I’ll remember that for a long time.” Crosby’s encouragement led Bolduc to return to Rimouski, where he thrived. Playing alongside Alexis Lafrenière, who was selected first overall by the New York Rangers in 2020, Bolduc led QMJHL rookies with 30 goals in 55 games and earned the league’s offensive freshman of the year title. In the following season, despite being limited to 27 games, he scored 10 goals and 29 points, earning recognition as the league’s best pro prospect. Bolduc later spent his final two junior seasons with the Quebec Remparts, where he became a significant offensive contributor, tallying 105 goals and 209 points over 126 games. In 2021, Bolduc was selected in the first round, 17th overall, by the St. Louis Blues. He capped off his junior career by winning the Memorial Cup with the Remparts in 2023. The Canadiens acquired Bolduc in a trade on July 1, sending defenceman Logan Mailloux to the Blues. Although he missed the final exhibition game against Ottawa due to a lower-body injury, Bolduc is expected to play alongside Kirby Dach and Brendan Gallagher in the season opener against Toronto. He is also part of the Canadiens’ top power-play unit, joining Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and defenceman Lane Hutson, the NHL’s reigning outstanding rookie. At just 22 years old, Bolduc has played 97 NHL games, scoring 19 goals and 36 points in 72 games last season. His offensive contributions will be crucial for a team that had only four players score 20 goals or more last season. Head coach Martin St. Louis is optimistic about Bolduc’s potential. “He has speed and attitude,” St. Louis said. “He has to play that way. We need that. From an offensive standpoint, we know he has a very good shot and he’ll help us on the power play. He has assets to complement what we already have.” Growing up just 90 minutes from Montreal, Bolduc was a Canadiens fan and hoped to be drafted by the team. He expressed excitement about the trade. “First of all, it’s his potential. But it’s also his style of play,” Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said. “He’s a good skater and we saw a big improvement in his physical side, how physical he became over the course of the season last year. He adds to our forechecking. And it’s also his offensive potential.” Bolduc believes the Canadiens can be a playoff team after they secured the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card berth last season. He appreciates the team’s character and commitment to success. “I’m excited,” he said. “We’ve been working for a month now. Working hard at practices. All the group here is ready to go, healthy. It’s different playing in Montreal. Here the Montreal Canadiens are the main show. Everyone’s following the team; how they’re doing. It has been fun. People are passionate. I’m just super happy to be part of this team.” Bolduc is also looking forward to playing on the first power play alongside Dach and Gallagher, both of whom he respects. Meanwhile, forwards Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen are expected to contribute to the penalty kill, replacing Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia, who signed with Philadelphia and Los Angeles, respectively. St. Louis noted their complementary skills and potential effectiveness together. “I see two guys that are embracing that and they’re doing what the team needs them to do,” St. Louis said. “I feel they can be very efficient together.”