When Nate Thompson joined the Montreal Canadiens, he didn't just bring grit and faceoff prowess to the fourth line—he brought a unique perspective on the man now behind the bench. Thompson, who played parts of five seasons alongside Martin St-Louis with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2009 to 2014, recently shared a telling story on the Habs Tonight podcast that reveals just how destined St-Louis was for coaching.

"He didn't have to tell us he was going to be a coach," Thompson recalled. "We were in the locker room for intermissions, and he was on his skates, wearing half his gear with the marker on the whiteboard, doing a play. He's telling the guys, 'Hey, Stammer, you've got to go here…' So he hasn't changed now. He's passionate, he loves the game, and he loves talking about it."

That insight explains why the Canadiens felt confident handing the reins to a first-time NHL head coach. St-Louis wasn't just a Hall of Fame player—he was already sharpening his coaching instincts before he hung up his skates. Jeff Gorton, who saw St-Louis up close during his time with the New York Rangers, and Kent Hughes, who watched him rise through the ranks from minor hockey to the pros, both recognized that rare combination of passion and hockey IQ.

For fans who remember Thompson's steady presence as a faceoff specialist and mentor to young Habs players, his words carry weight. And for anyone who's ever laced up skates or donned a favorite jersey, it's a reminder that the best leaders often start leading long before they're given the title. Whether you're coaching a team or just hitting the ice for a weekend game, that kind of dedication is something we can all wear with pride.