Music: {allcanada} Sports psychologist helps Habs' Eller

Monday, April 29, 2013

{allcanada} Sports psychologist helps Habs' Eller

The Montreal Gazette paints a picture of how after being a healthy scratch in the Canadiens' second and third games this season and with his confidence fragile, Lars Eller met with Dr. Sylvain Guimond, the Habs' sports psychology consultant, with profound results.

"Sylvain made the difference, no question," he said, clearly emotional, the words catching in his throat as he considered a very personal journey that's shaped his game and his life.

"I said back then (as a scratch) that things can change so quickly. I've seen it in the past. You've just got to stick with it. I've had a lot of help from my linemates and had some good chemistry with the players I've played with and it's worked. It's been working out for everybody, so I'm happy.

"Confidence is the most important thing in sports. That changed my career, right there," Eller added of his sessions with Guimond. "I knew there was something to be unlocked, that there was something holding me back somehow.

"I did some work with a guy back in Sweden (last) summer, but Sylvain really got through to me in another way that made a difference. It was like he flipped a switch. He made me believe in myself.

"You never stop learning, I'm always going to be taking advice and looking for help from older players, the coaches, from wherever I can get it."