Inside small frame lies a big heart

[Habsfan84]

Canadiens defenceman Francis Bouillon has had to deal with his fair share of adversity over the years.
The 5-foot-8, 196-pounder bounced around between the minors and the National Hockey League for several seasons before finally finding his niche with the Canadiens. And just when it looked like he had established himself, he was sidelined last year by offseason knee surgery that forced him to miss the first two months of the 2006-07 season. Then, after his return, he struggled to regain his form. But the rugged blue-liner has come back with a vengeance this season, regaining a regular spot on defence. Heading into last night's game against the New York Rangers, he was still looking for his first goal this season to go along with three assists, 36 penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating.
In this week's One-on-One, Bouillon discusses his tough road back from injury and which coach he credits with helping him make it to the NHL.

Question: Despite being one of the smallest players on the team, you are known as one of its toughest competitors. How does it feel going up against guys who are more often than not quite a bit bigger than you?
Bouillon: "For sure, the motivation is to kind of surprise those guys. When I started here, the guys were coming in my side of the boards since I was small, but I always surprised them with the hits. But now, you can see people know me and sometimes they are going to chip the puck past me and won't try to come one-on-one, so it's different. I have played against those big guys since I was young; I have always been a smaller player. I am going to train even harder in the gym to get my power and my strength."
Did you face any extra obstacles in trying to make the NHL because of your size and did the comments of critics push you to work hard to achieve your goal?
"Since I played midget Triple-A, I was a good player, but people always said I wasn't going to make it and said I should concentrate on school because it's going to be too hard because I was too small. But that was maybe my best motivation I had. Only my family believed in me."
What did it mean to you when you were presented the Jean Béliveau Trophy for your community work?
"For me it means a lot. I know I am not going to win all those trophies they give for the best player or best defenceman. I can talk for all the French guys who spend the summer here, too. We give a lot for the team. Whenever they call us to make appearances for the team, we are always available."
After a tough season last year because of injury, did you come into the 2007-08 season with any specific goals?
"I wanted to be more consistent. Last year, I had a tough season because of the surgery during the summer. I missed training camp and two months at the beginning of the season. I was struggling a bit when I came back, too. My objective this season was to take back my spot in the room and be a regular defenceman."
You have played the majority of your NHL career here. Is this where you want to finish your days in the league?

"Yeah, for sure. When I signed here two years ago, for me and my family it was
really important to stay here. This is my home town and it's always great to play in front of your parents, friends and stuff like that. This is where I want to stay."
Who was your idol growing up?

"That's Ray Bourque, no doubt. He was a great player. A lot of guys talk about (Wayne) Gretzky and (Mario) Lemieux, but as a defenceman he was a gentleman off the ice, too. So on and off the ice, he was a great guy."
After being born in New York City, at what age did you move to Montreal and how difficult, if at all, was that move?
"I came here as a one-year-old, so there was no adjustment. It's just good for dual citizenship (laughs)."
Where and how did you meet your girlfriend?
"I met her when I played in the IHL in 1998, when I was in Quebec City."
What is the first thing you bought after signing your first pro contract?
"I bought a Porsche for the summertime. It was one of my dreams, but my biggest dream, I just realized it. I bought a piece of land on the water and built a house on it."
Who do you credit most with helping you make it to the NHL?
"There's Michel Therrien. I had him for four years in junior. When he came into the Canadiens organization, he asked me to go play with him in the AHL in Fredericton. After that, I started here with Alain Vigneault, he gave me my first chance in the NHL. After that, Michel came here, so I got a lot of help from Michel."
What was your welcome to the NHL moment?
"I say maybe four years ago. We all know that for three or four years when I started, it was up and down, which was tough, and I got picked by Nashville on waivers. It was really hard. But when I came back from Nashville, I stayed here for a while and earned my spot as a top six defenceman."
What's your favourite movie ?
"For sure Slap Shot is up there, and I saw it a lot of times, but The Shawshank Redemption was good, too, and I saw that movie maybe 10 times."