"Unbearable Passion" is Marchessault's Key Ingriedent

The undersized forward's rise to championship prominence was anything but easy.

Photo Credit: John Russell / Nashville Predators

Before winning the Conn Smythe or being picked in the last round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Jonathan Marchessault discovered hockey in his hometown of Cap-Rouge, Quebec City.

At three years old, Marchessault learned how to play hockey like the rest of his friends. His early love for the game became a passion and it eventually grew into eight-hour days at the rink where he packed a lunch in preparation for the long session.

“The best memories growing up were the Peewee tournaments in Quebec City. I think that was the best tournament you could play in as a young hockey player,” Marchessault said. “After that it’s the times I went to the outdoor ice. It was a great time and I enjoyed every second of it.”

In his downtime, Marchessault watched goaltender Patrick Roy and even befriended his son Frederick Roy. As he grew up, the Hall of Fame goalie noticed Marchessault in his development and eventually picked him 208th overall in the 2007 QMJHL Draft.