Anchorage Daily News

In nearly a decade as Alaska's most accomplished and highest-paid hockey player, Scott Gomez countless times has been the subject of trade speculation.

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Scott Gomez

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Tuesday, when the playmaking center from Anchorage was gone fishing, the talk finally developed into something more than rumor.

The New York Rangers traded Gomez and his lucrative long-term contract to the Montreal Canadiens in a multiplayer exchange less than 24 hours before the National Hockey League's free-agent signing period begins.

Gomez, 29, still has five years remaining on the seven-year, $51.5-million deal the Rangers delivered when they signed him as an unrestricted free agent two years ago today. Tuesday's trade, the first of Gomez's career, principally moved him for forward Chris Higgins, with minor leaguers and prospects comprising the other players involved.

"It's the business we are in,'' Gomez said in a conference call with Montreal media. "It's a little sad, but at the same time I'm really excited. You're going to the Mecca of hockey.''

The former first-round draft pick, who grew up playing for East High and the Alaska All Stars, won two Stanley Cups and a Rookie of the Year Award in seven seasons with the New Jersey Devils. He played the last two seasons with the Rangers.

In leaving New York for Montreal, Gomez goes from the most pressure-packed city in American sports to the most pressure-packed city in the NHL. Hockey is religion in Canada, and the Canadiens are heavily scrutinized by print, television and radio media, and followed by a passionate, knowledgeable and often critical fan base.

"From the frying pan to a microwave is what that is,'' said Gomez's father, Carlos.

The Canadiens, like the Rangers one of the NHL's Original Six teams, have won the Stanley Cup a record 24 times.

"When Scott signed with New York, he said he wanted to play on the big stage,'' said Ian Pulver, Gomez's agent. "He's going to a bigger stage.

"It's the Yankees of the hockey world. It's the most storied, and probably most successful, franchise in pro sports.''

Gomez's current contract is the second-most lucrative for a pro athlete from Alaska. Basketball player Carlos Boozer of Juneau signed a six-year, $68-million deal with the Utah Jazz in 2004.

Gomez said he first heard a rumor he was on the trading block while at a softball game in Anchorage on Monday night, then received a call Tuesday in which Rangers general manager Glen Sather informed him he was headed across the border.

"It'll be an honor to put that jersey on,'' Gomez said.

Gomez last season tied for the Rangers scoring lead with 16 goals, 42 assists and 58 points in 77 games. His average of .75 points per game was a drop from his previous career average of .83 and elicited criticism that he didn't produce for a guy with such a huge contract. Gomez said he was not happy with his performance.

"There's tons to prove,'' Gomez said. "Obviously, the main goal is the Stanley Cup. You bet I was embarrassed about last year, the way I played.''

But Pulver said Gomez, who has proved remarkably durable in his career, played through an injury that limited his production.

"Scott played hurt for 6-8 weeks and did it for the team,'' Pulver said. "It hampered him a little bit offensively, but he wanted the Rangers to do well.

"He's a team-first guy -- he learned that in the New Jersey system, brought it to New York and now he'll take it to Montreal.''

The Rangers made the playoffs this season but were eliminated in the first round by the Washington Capitals.

Gomez spent Tuesday fishing on the Russian River. He often returns to Anchorage in the off-season to hang out with friends and family, fish and support the Scotty Gomez Foundation. Gomez's charity raises money to aid disadvantaged youth hockey players.

Gomez owns a home in Anchorage -- that modest Airport Heights ranch-style house is the one he grew up in -- and also owns a penthouse duplex in New York City.

One question remaining for Gomez, a 2006 U.S. Olympian and prospective 2010 Olympian, is what number he will wear for Montreal. The franchise, which has been around 100 years, has retired 14 numbers.

Gomez wore No. 23 as a Devil. He lost that number in New York when fellow center Chris Drury, signed as a free agent the same day as Gomez, won a coin flip for the digits. Current Montreal general manager and Hall of Famer Bob Gainey wore No. 23 for the Canadiens, and it is retired.

Gomez wore No. 19 as a Ranger, but that Montreal number belonged to Larry Robinson, Gomez's former coach in New Jersey and a Hall of Famer, and it is likewise retired.

Gomez wore No. 11 in junior and youth hockey, at East High and for the 2006 Olympic team. That number belongs to Montreal captain Saku Koivu, but he becomes an unrestricted free agent today.

Find Doyle Woody's blog online at adn.com/hockeyblog or call him at 257-4335.

Gomez salary history

2007-14: New York Rangers/Montreal Canadiens, 7 years, $51.5 million

2006-07: New Jersey Devils, 1 year, $5 million

2005-06: New Jersey Devils, 1 year, $2.2 million

2004-05: Alaska Aces, $500 per week***

2002-04: New Jersey Devils, 2 years, $2.4 million

1999-2002: New Jersey Devils, 3 years, $2.1 million

*** Played for Alaska Aces during NHL lockout

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