What happened to Mike Condon, who took Carey Price’s place

Every hockey town has its own surprise hero: an unexpected player who appears out of nowhere, keeps the team afloat for a while and stays with the fans forever. Montreal’s version? Goalkeeper Mike Condon.

In 2015-16, when everything fell apart and Carey Price went down injured, Montreal stared into the void. And then this uneducated young man from Princeton, a Massachusetts man with no swagger whatsoever, stepped into the fold as if he had been there all his life.

He played 55 games that season and recorded 21 wins, a save percentage of .903. While the numbers may not scream “superstar,” the determination behind them certainly did. Montreal embraced him because he worked, competed and never pretended to be anything other than someone doing his very best. Some seasons don’t have to end in awards to be memorable.

Condon’s single season created a lasting connection

What made Condon’s run special was how human it felt. No hype. No expectations in the first round. Just a goalkeeper doing his job while everyone else’s plans fell apart.

And Montreal fans notice those kinds of efforts. They value dedication and heart as much as they value talent. Condon gave them both at a time when the city desperately needed something positive to hold on to. Sometimes one good season is enough to secure a permanent place in a team’s memory.

After that one-season journey, Condon bounced around. He was waived, claimed by the Pittsburgh Penguins, traded to the Ottawa Senators, and put together some impressive runs. As is too often the case, he then struggled with injuries that just wouldn’t stop. A brief stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Some American Hockey League (AHL) stops. Then the body told him it was time.

But that doesn’t take away from the story. Montreal remembered him long after the league moved on.

Condon eventually pulled off a clever second act

And you have to hand it to him. Condon worked as hard on the ice as he did on the ice. When his career was over, he didn’t fade away from his playing career. He shifted to helping other goalkeepers as one assistant at Northeastern University, working with young talent and sharing everything he learned the hard way.

He then went back to school, earned a master’s degree from Boston University and built a new life around mental performance coaching. Don’t chase the old glory, but build something new.

Condon’s legacy was one good season and a lifetime of teaching

Some players are remembered for long careers. Others for Stanley Cups. Condon is remembered for showing up when the Canadiens needed someone, anyone, to steady the net.

One season can do that. One season can create a lasting bond, allowing a city to say, “We remember that guy.” And honestly? That’s a legacy most players would adopt in a heartbeat.

Related: What happened to Mikko Koskinen, that huge Oilers goaltender?