It’s been a long time since the Alouettes flashed such a beautiful smile during an end-of-season review. After a 13-year dry spell, those responsible for the championship team can finally breathe a sigh of relief. But they are already in 2024 mode.
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According to general manager Danny Maciocia, all of the players want to be back, which is unprecedented in his career.
“Even the years I won the Gray Cup in Edmonton [en 2003 et 2005, chaque fois aux dépens de Montréal], there were always four or five people there who wanted to go. This year we agreed after our last meeting: 100% of the players wanted to go back. They wanted to keep that core. Is it feasible? I would say no. But I think we will be able to retain a squad that will help us maintain a certain level of competition,” Maciocia said yesterday, referring to the Gray Cup and Eastern Champions Trophy prominently displayed on the table in front of him were from him in the team’s empty locker room in the Olympic Stadium.
Negotiations are ongoing
The CEO doesn’t believe the pressure to repeat the feat comes only from the public.
“My children have fallen in love with some of the players and would like to know if they will come back. I tell them the same thing you say: “We will make decisions that are good for the organization.”
Maciocia has already had discussions with several of the 23 athletes who could become available on February 13th. This is especially true for defensive linemen Shawn Lemon and linebackers Tyrice Beverette and Darnell Sankey. In the coming days, he will do the same with running back William Stanback.
As for Kristian Matte, the 38-year-old offensive player is thinking about his future.
“We will probably get together before the holidays. I want to know how he sees his future as a football player or maybe something else,” said Maciocia, holding the door open to the man who has worn the Alouettes colors since 2010.
Two different worlds
A year ago, Maciocia’s hands were tied because he didn’t have the resources to offer contracts to free agents because the team was under the supervision of the CFL. Today, the 56-year-old Montrealer can count on a Quebec owner, Pierre Karl Péladeau, as well as a head coach, Jason Maas, and a well-established soccer team.
“We are in two extremes. It’s incredible how quickly things can change in 12 months,” he said.
Word has gotten out and, according to Maciocia, several athletes want to continue their careers in Montreal.
“They saw the final and know exactly what happens in our dressing room. They would like to play for coach Maas and his assistants. And at the parade, many local players said they would like to experience that one day.
Become a reference
Maas is aware that the line-up of the “Als” will be different in 2024. Nevertheless, he wants to build on the values that have already been established.
“We try to realize the vision of a championship team year after year. We want players to continue to work hard for each other and compete with each other. These are the principles on which the culture we want to establish is based,” explained Maas.
Like the Calgary Stampeders, who appeared in five of the seven finals between 2012 and 2018, or the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, finalists in the last four Gray Cups, the Alouettes have dreamed of dominating the circuit for several seasons.
“We want to be the benchmark throughout the league. […] The organization and the fans deserve it despite everything they have endured. That is our ultimate goal. It is therefore a privilege to have expectations,” emphasized the Director General.
27 years later
Maciocia and his president, Mark Weightman, have known each other since 1996, when the Alouettes returned to Montreal. The first was a volunteer while the second was a marketing coordinator. As fate would have it, 27 years later they won the Gray Cup together.
“Even when we worked in different organizations and even when I was in hockey, we always stayed connected and talked about how we would get a chance to do this together,” said Weightman, still shocked by that Cinderella championship.
For him, Maciocia is the architect of this conquest. It was he who built this team, starting with the hiring of Maas, the best acquisition, according to the CEO himself.
No wonder Maas never shied away from throwing flowers at Maciocia.
“I can never thank him enough for trusting me,” he repeated yesterday after taking the trouble to say “Thank you Montreal.” [en français] and the entire province of Quebec for their incredible support.”