Carey Price made a lot of great saves in his NHL career, but sometimes thing get through.
Ask Canadiens first-round draft pick David Reinbacher, an 18-year-old Austrian defenseman who played in Switzerland.
As Price stepped up to the microphone in Nashville to announce Reinbacher as the fifth overall selection, something came over him and he just . . . couldn't get the name out.
"Les Canadiens de Montreal are proud to select . . . David . . ."
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes mercifully stepped in when it was clear Price wouldn't get the words out. He quipped, "We planned it like that," before announcing Reinbacher.
Carey Price forgot the Canadiens’ first round pick’s name (David Reinbacher) 😳
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 28, 2023
“David…”
*awkward pause*
🎥 @BradyTrett | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/nNdhe6GxDU
It's worse in video form: It is immediately apparent that Price isn't going to be able to get the words out.
MORE: NHL Draft grades: Live analysis for every pick in Round 1
Price, to his credit, owned the mishap afterwards.
Boy that was embarrassing. Sorry David….. Reinbacher. 🤦🏻♂️😅
— Carey Price (@CP0031) June 29, 2023
Reinbacher is the second Austrian player to be selected in the top five of the NHL Draft, joining Thomas Vanek, who was taken fifth overall by the Sabres in 2003.
Reinbacher had a roller coaster ride of a pre-draft process. Canada's TSN asked him about the strangest question he got from the 23 teams that spoke with him. His reply was a doozy.
"It's World War II and you're the captain of a boat and you have to bomb an enemy boat, but teammates are swimming in the ocean," Reinbacher began, per TSN. "I said, 'No, I wouldn't do it because I want to save my teammates.' I'm like, 'Look, guys, I don't do it because they are my teammates so I wouldn't kill my teammates.' They were like, 'You have to do it. It's an order.' I was like, 'No, I won't do it.' So, it was kind of not the best thing to talk about."
It doesn't appear that the Canadiens asked that question. Reinbacher was complimentary when asked by TSN how his conversation with Montreal went.
"It was normal," he said. "It was good. I really enjoyed it to get to know the people there. Good chemistry. Normal questions. Thank you for that."
Hopefully Price's slip-up doesn't make Reinbacher reconsider the chemistry.