Vancouver Canucks/Twitter
Goaltender Braden Holtby spent 10 seasons in a Washington Capitals sweater, winning a Vezina Trophy and backstopping the club to a Stanley Cup in 2018 in that time span among other notable achievements. One of his off-ice accomplishments that many may not know of is his ability to play guitar, a skill he put on display in a video released by the Vancouver Canucks, the team he signed a two-year deal with in free agency.
The former fourth-round pick (93rd overall in 2008) details his love for playing guitar, a skill Holtby says he began self-learning his last year of Juniors, and picked up again during paid lessons that his parents gave him, and returned to in the last six seasons.
The 31-year old netminder revealed that when he returns home to his native Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, he and “his buddies would play around the campfire”. He also revealed that he plays mostly on the road, where he has most of his free time. Holtby that he plays every game day, especially after pre-game skate, which he says helps with re-establishing a mindset for the game.
As for his influences? Holtby reveals that growing up, Jack Johnson was his favorite muscisan, while Gary Clark Jr., is his current inspiration for strumming the strings. As for what he plays today, artists such as Tyler Childers and Gregory Alan Isakov feature prominently in the always-focused goaltender’s repertoire.
So you wanna know how the team passes the time on the road, eh? For Holtby it is hockey practice, followed by band practice. 🎸🎤🎵 Letting loose on the guitar is this netminder’s activity of choice. pic.twitter.com/JlNiSoJjmG
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) February 18, 2021
By Michael Fleetwood
