MONTREAL, QC. — You may have heard some rumblings about Canadiens prospect Danny Kristo questioning his level of commitment. We have certainly received a number of questions to the All Habs Mailbag with that theme. It’s puzzling given that the narrative doesn’t match the competitor that we’ve witnessed on and off the ice.

But this is Montreal so we shouldn’t be surprised that some in the agenda-driven mainstream media are trying to create a cloud of doubt around a skilled player even before he arrives with the Canadiens.  It’s not coincidental that they are the same folks who skip the summer development camps where talents can be assessed first-hand. Kristo is a pure scorer with a quick release and speed to burn.

This season, Kristo chose to stay with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux to play his senior year in hockey and to complete his degree.  It is accurate to say that he passed up an opportunity to be with the Hamilton Bulldogs. But do we know why?

Many scoffed at Kristo’s explanation that his goal was to win a national championship with the Fighting Sioux. The 22-year-old forward answered this way, “It’s not going to hurt me to come back to school here and play the game that I love with all this unbelievable talent, in front of this great team with this great coaching staff and all the teammates that I love.”

On Kristo’s commitment and leadership, UND teammate Joe Gleason had this to say,  “Over the past couple of years [Kristo] has proven and shown how great of a friend and teammate he is and how much he really cares about getting a ring and how much he cares about this program.  He is probably the number one guy on the team who would do anything for any of our teammates. He would take a bullet for any guy on the team.”

In its continuing series called ” Through These Doors” the University of North Dakota Athletic department focused on the six seniors of the Fighting Sioux hockey team. By watching you may gain new insight on the Canadiens prospect.  Expect to see Kristo suiting up for the Bulldogs in the fall.

“Through These Doors – Six” posted by undathletics to YouTube

Danny Kristo (forward) Drafted by the Montrea Canadiensl in the second round (56th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft

Corban Knight (forward) Drafted by the Florida Panthers in the fifth round (135th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft

Carter Rowney (forward)

Tate Maris (goalie)

Andrew MacWilliam (defenseman) Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round (188th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft

Joe Gleason (defenseman) Drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the seventh round (192nd overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft