A teary farewell? (February 2003)
I've covered the Montreal Canadiens for Sportsnet.ca for a year and a half and I have to say, it's been quite a ride.
My first column came just weeks after Saku Koivu was diagnosed with cancer. His illness on top of the Habs' recent history of injury upon injury made me shake my head and wonder why I'd take on such a task. Would I spend my Sportsnet career reporting from the Canadiens' sickbay? Would every article be about the Canadiens trying to get out of the basement? Could I possibly make sense of one of the great Canadian institutions being run by a guy from the United States?
Thank goodness the Montreal Canadiens continue to be the storied franchise with fresh stories week after week because it's made the ride worth while and then some. You're scratching your heads, wondering how I could be so positive after watching one of the worst stretches the team has ever played through. Blowing leads, bad defence, no offence and finally sinking quickly out of a playoff spot. That's a storied franchise?
Well, this is my final column for Sportsnet.ca so you'll excuse me if I'm a bit sentimental about it all -- the good and the bad. And though I'm not one to get maudlin, I'll miss my little corner on the 'net and all the smart comments I've received from you darling and devoted readers.
Sigh.
As my parting gift to you, I'm going to share my Top 10 moments covering the Habs for Sportsnet.ca. Get your handkerchiefs out:
10) Donald Audette's amazing recovery
Never mind that he's currently down on the farm with no ticket back to La Belle Province in site, Audette was a huge part of last spring's playoff run. For goodness sake, his hand was hanging from his arm by a thread just months earlier, yet somehow he found the scoring touch at the right time.
9) Patrice Brisebois and his excellent adventure
You've got to give him credit. A whirlwind trip to Paris (a hankering for duty-free Gauloise perhaps?) put him in a ridiculous situation with the Montreal fans and media. "He'll never play for the Habs again," everyone crowed. But Brisebois, the perennial punching bag, pulled on the hockey sweater again, opening himself up to even more scrutiny. He's either a brave, tragic hero or a masochist. My vote's on the former.
8) Trip to Hamilton to see the Bulldogs
This was refreshing in so many ways. It was hockey the way it should be: kids running around in the bleachers, affordable concession food and a lot to cheer about. Seeing the young'uns -- Mike Komisarek, Mathieu Garon, Jani Rita, Jason Ward -- the future of the Habs and the Oilers, made me excited about Canadian hockey for a long time to come.
7) Another goaltender controversy. NOT!
Was I the only one who didn't think there was a controversy? Two even? First it was Jose Theodore and Jeff Hackett. Then it was Jose Theodore and Mathieu Garon. When your goalie is the best player on the team, no matter which number he wears or how much cash goes in his pants, who cares if that player has 2 heads?
6) Having Joey and Tony tell me they love me on live radio
Those crazy drive guys at The Team 990 chatted me up one afternoon. After yacking about Claude Julien, they tried to egg me on about Brisebois. I said "booing him is so 2 years ago, Patrick Traverse is the guy I can't bear," Joey responded with "I love you...I love you." It was very moving.
5) Gilmour - from enemy to hero
I got a lot of grief early on when I said Doug Gilmour was going to be a great addition for the Habs. Most folks saw him as the Devil, a reject geezer Leaf. I never said I told you so. Ahem.
4) The Washington trade pays off big
Though I wasn't writing when the trade was made, boy did I ever get to see the rewards! The Habs dumped Trevor Linden (and Dainius Zubrus) on the Caps and got a couple of unproven kids in return. Richard Zednik became a scoring sensation in the 2002 playoffs and Jan Bulis (who I predicted wouldn't make the team this year) has become the most consistent all-round player in the lineup. Love it!
3) Playoff win over Boston
Is there anything sweeter than a big playoff upset over the Bruins? Only one thing, and unfortunately I never covered a Cup parade. Last spring the Canadiens made us believers again, made us love the game again. Let's not forget that.
2) Jose Theodore's MVP season
There was never any doubt. Winning those 7 in a row in spite of the mediocre team in front of him, he dragged the Habs into the playoffs single-handedly. And don't for one minute think Theodore's Hart and Vezina Trophies were flukes. He's the real thing and it's been exciting to watch him become a superstar in the Montreal pressure cooker. This season's trials don't take last season's glory away. He'll have more silverware before he's through.
1) Saku Koivu's recovery
The best story. There is nothing like seeing Captain Koivu play his guts out every night. Considering his guts almost killed him. A little guy, he's played like he's 6'2". Tougher than I've ever seen him, yet he still has the swift moves and the soft hands. To watch his determination, to see his hair grow back (a little redder than before) and to enjoy his absolute love of the game is a better story than any writer could fabricate.
I'm taking up too much precious bandwidth so I'll sign off one last time. It's been a pleasure and a privilege filling a page with my thoughts for you folks every week. Les Habitants sont la!