Josh Gorges started playing for the Habs in 2007, after he came over from San Jose in a steal of a trade. (Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

The Montreal Canadiens' run to the Eastern Conference final last spring sort of emulated the career of defenceman Josh Gorges.

The Habs started slowly, but eventually found success. Now expectations have been raised in Montreal, and with Gorges.

Early on, opportunities were few and far between because of his size. Despite his dependability and durability with his hometown Kelowna Rockets in the WHL, he went un-drafted in the NHL.

But the San Jose Sharks saw something in the undersized Gorges. They took a chance on him and signed him to a free-agent entry-level contract in the summer of 2002. He went on to play a key role with the Canadian junior team two years later and captained the Rockets to the 2003-04 Memorial Cup championship.

When he cracked the Sharks lineup in 2005-06, he had to prove himself all over again. But San Jose traded him to the Habs in Feb. 2007, along with a first-round pick, for veteran Craig Rivet.

In hindsight, the deal was a steal for then Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey. Gorges was paired with Hal Gill and the duo did a marvellous job in keeping at bay Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby in the post-season last spring.

"I don't like to talk about myself or my personal accomplishments," the 26-year-old Gorges said this week. "I think last year, what we accomplished and what I accomplished was because of the collective group.

"I don't think anything that we did would have been done if we didn't have five guys on the ice working as a unit. Obviously, having Hal as a partner makes my job that much easier. He is a big part of shutting down anyone."

More confidence in Montreal?

Although a huge part of the Canadiens success last spring was because of the play of departed goalie Jaroslav Halak, does Montreal have more confidence this season because of their surprising run to the conference final?

The Canadiens, who visit the Buffalo Sabres on Friday and entertain the Ottawa Senators on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday, have opened the season with only one victory in three games.

"It's tough to reply to that because that's last year," Gorges said. "It's a whole new mindset this year. I think, if anything, it showed us what we need to do to be successful, it raised the standards and expectations of the group and the confidence that we have when we put that accountability on each other."

Gorges was asked about his individual goals for this season. He remarked that he doesn't set personal goals because "I think I succeed individually when the team succeeds." In order for the Canadiens to succeed, Gorges will have to continue to develop as one of the league's top shutdown defenceman.

"I think you have to walk that line of confidence and arrogance, have that belief that no matter who you're up against, you're going to get the job done," said Gorges, when asked about the mindset of a shutdown defenceman. "You have to believe that when you're out there you're going to shut them down and make life miserable for them.

"You can't go in with the mindset of, 'I'm in trouble, I'm going to get beat.' You play soft in the first period and you back off too much, the players we're playing are too good to give them any kind of room. If you give them a second of an advantage they're going to make you pay. The best thing is to be more aggressive and go after them."

Honoured in Kelowna

Interestingly, Gorges attended the NHL entry draft at the Staples Center last summer. He was invited down to Los Angeles on the private jet of Bill Gallacher, the owner of the Portland Winterhawks. The Florida Panthers selected his son Ben in the fourth round. The younger Gallacher and Gorges share the same agent, Kevin Epp.

He also was honoured with a place on the Kelowna minor hockey association's wall of fame. Living at home with parents Pat and Sue while playing for the Rockets was a treat for Gorges.

Despite his six-foot-one, 195-pound frame, Gorges stands tall in a long line of standout defencemen from the Rockets, a list that includes: Scott Hannan, Shea Weber, Duncan Keith, Kyle Cumisky, Alex Edler, Luke Schenn and Tyler Myers as well as prospect Tyson Barrie and a couple of budding 16-year-olds in Damon Severson and MacKenzie Johnston.

"I think you have to acknowledge Lorne Frey, Kelowna's assistant general manager and head of scouting," Gorges said. "He's been there forever. He has an ability to see young players and what they're capable of.

"You look at some of the players that have come up there, before junior they weren't expected to go anywhere or be anything. But somehow he can see talent in the future."

Frey definitely did with Gorges.