Gorges has found his niche

[Habsfan84]

When the Canadiens acquired Josh Gorges from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Craig Rivet near the NHL trading deadline last season, few fans knew anything about the team's newest defenceman.
Unfortunately for Gorges, he played sparingly the rest of the season and remained an unknown commodity when training camp started in September. Gorges, who was undrafted and signed with the Sharks as a free agent in 2002, made the Habs out of training camp, but was again used sparingly at the start of the season.
But the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder from Kelowna, B.C., has slowly solidified his position on the blue line and has been playing alongside Francis Bouillon lately, giving the Canadiens a solid third defence pairing.

In this week's One-on-One, Gorges discusses what it was like to be traded to the Habs and who his biggest idols have been.
Question: What was your reaction when you found out you were being traded to the Canadiens last season?
Gorges: "I was nervous, but I was excited at the same time to come to a team like the Montreal Canadiens ... you couldn't ask to be anywhere better."
You've gone from playing in a non-traditional market to a city steeped in history filled with knowledgeable fans. Which environment do you enjoy more?
"That's a good question. It's tough, there are bits of both I like. The fans and the excitement and just the passion for hockey here, I love it. You're back in Canada, so I'll say Montreal."
How tough was it adapting to playing a new style after the deal?
"It was tough. You kind of adapt to a certain style of hockey and all of a sudden, the next day, it's a completely different system with a new atmosphere and new teammates, so it was a little bit of a learning curve and an adjustment."
What was it like the first time you walked into this dressing room and saw all the pictures of the former team greats and that famous slogan?
"You're just kind of in awe for the first little while. You look around and you see all the great players that have played here, all the tradition, all the Stanley Cups that have been won on this team. Like I said, to be a part of the Montreal Canadiens is something I think every player that gets the opportunity to is very lucky."
Who was your idol growing up?
"Well I never saw him play, but my dad used to make me watch tapes of Bobby Orr, but I liked defencemen like that, Paul Coffey, Ray Bourque, I think those two were probably my biggest idols growing up."
What is your offseason routine as you prepare for the following campaign?
"I usually take a full month of doing nothing in the gym. I am outdoors kind of guy, so I like to go to the beach, play volleyball and baseball, whatever is outside. I take some time off and do pretty much nothing and then get back into the gym."
What is the first thing you bought after signing your first pro contract?
"I bought a pickup truck, a Dodge Ram 1500 was the first truck I bought."
If there was one figure from history you could meet, who would that be and why?
"I think Wayne Gretzky. I think just what he did for this game, I think his records will never be touched. Just to sit down and his pick his brain for even an hour would be awesome."

What was it like representing Canada at the 2004 World Junior Hockey Championship, and what is one thing that sticks out in your mind?
"The one memory I have is the first game, putting on the Team Canada jersey and stepping out there. We were in Finland and we had so many fans from Canada with their faces painted and signs, and you realize how big hockey is in Canada and what a privilege is it to play for Team Canada."
Who do you credit most with helping you make it to the NHL?

"I think my parents. Growing up, I was very lucky to have parents, first of all, who could afford to put me in hockey and just the time that they spent with me. My dad was with me every weekend for early morning practices and my mom was always there when things weren't going well, she was always the emotional side, somebody to talk to."
Who has been your best hockey coach?
"I would say my defence coach in Kelowna, just because I was so young (age 16 to 19). His name is Jeff Truitt. I still have a good relationship with him and we talk a lot. He was the kind of guy that I could approach and he helped me a lot with developing my game through junior.
What kind of skates and sticks do you use?
"I am Bauer-Nike. I have been wearing Bauer skates my whole life. I have tried other skates, but I have never been able to use them. And just this year, I switched to the Bauer sticks and I love them."
What's your favourite TV show?
"Seinfeld; there is nothing better. Seinfeld is my favourite show of all time."
What are your favourite movies?
"I like the action movies, the old war ones like Gladiator, 300 and Braveheart."