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Detroit, April 17, 2003 - Citing his desire to play
with a team that is contending for the Stanley Cup, Curtis Joseph has demanded a trade from the Detroit
Red Wings to the 1976/77 Montreal Canadiens, according
to his agent Don Meehan.
"Curtis really enjoyed his time in Detroit", said
Meehan. "But given the team's first round sweep by the
Anaheim Mighty Ducks, he's not convinced that the
Wings are dedicated to winning. Everyone knows that an
athlete's career is finite, and Curtis simply wants a
chance to hold Lord Stanley's Cup."
To improve his chances, Joseph has asked to be sent
back in time and traded to the 1976/77 Montreal
Canadiens, widely acknowledged as the best NHL team of
all time due to their 60 wins, 8 losses, and 132
points, which still stands today as the NHL record for
points in a season.
"In his career Curtis has been held back by some poor
teams in front of him", said Meehan. "People were a
little unfair in expecting him to lead an untalented
Team Canada at the '96 World Cup (which Canada lost to
the United States), they were unfair to expect him to
play well against Sweden in the 2002 Olympics (the
only game Canada lost in the tournament), and they
were extremely unfair in expecting him to lead the
defending Stanley Cup champions out of the first round
against Ducks of the Mighty kind. We feel that Curtis
can show the world just how much he belongs among the
goaltending elite if he can get a chance to play with
the most dominant team in NHL history. Only then will
the world see his true value."
When questioned about Joseph's penchant for being
outplayed by the opposition's goalie when he is needed
most, a pattern which Leaf fans became very familiar
with during his time in Toronto, Meehan changed the
subject and started discussing the most recent episode
of The Bachelor.
Ken Holland, GM of the Detroit Red Wings indicated he
will do everything he can to accommodate the trade.
"As defending Stanley Cup champions, this season did
not live up to our standards, so changes are in order.
If Curtis Joseph would prefer to not be part of this
team, we'll do everything we can to make this happen.
I have to admit that this is a bit of an unusual
request, but I guess with Cujo spitting in the face of
his Leaf teammates last season we shouldn't be
surprised. I'm also concerned about having to find a
time-travel device before the 2003/2004 season starts,
but we'll do our best."
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