“Suzuki has an 8-year contract, it seems to me that this is enough to learn a few words of French, if only to please the fans. »
Guy Carbonneau is clear. Being the captain of an ice hockey team primarily serves the unity of the club and promotes harmonious cooperation between team members, young and old, the coach or member of the management board.
In Montreal, the French fact is there and for Carbo it’s undeniable, but above all it’s the team. Bob Gainey was a perfect example of him.
“Congratulations to Bob on learning French, but you have to be honest. Everything happens in English in the locker room. »
Yvan Cournoyer has been served by two types of outstanding executives. Jean Béliveau, the greatest, had warned his teammates that he was captain in the winter, during the season, in the playoffs as much as he was in the summer. Family, personal or other issues, all players knew that big Jean had a listening ear and that he was a real big brother. In his case, Yvan even speaks of a father.
“My other outstanding captain had only one thing in mind: to win. Henri Richard turned it into a disease. He couldn’t take the loss and his interventions multiplied as soon as the team got into trouble. No patience. »
He hasn’t won 11 Stanley Cups for nothing.
“I still wonder if he didn’t intervene quicker than the coach. He wasn’t embarrassed, he got angry, and it was impossible, practical or appropriate, to get his hands dirty when Henri was around. »
Yvan learned a lot from these two very different men and when he found himself with a ‘C’ on his shirt he tried to blend his own character and what he had learned from Jean and Henri.
“I liked being a confidante, a big brother like Jean. Help the youth, the injured, and those struggling to assert themselves. I also didn’t hesitate to invite the players along the way to a private meeting. No coach, I liked it when we talked in the whites of our eyes. »
Yvan adds that it’s also important that the captain treats all his teammates on the same level and that the players end up bonding and forming a real cement block.
OF EDMONTON AND LACHUTE
Vincent Damphousse first learned the role of captain from a guy from Lachute who had won in Edmonton.
Vincent played for the Oilers but after the glory years with the Gretzky, Kurri, Messier and also a certain Kevin Lowe who saw everyone else go.
He stayed in northern Alberta like a good soldier with a “C” on his chest. A really good captain will say Vincent.
“Kevin taught me a lot with his courage and the confidence he built in the dressing room, even when we were rebuilding. He had experience and also great sensitivity. Under the circumstances, it mattered. »
Kevin Lowe would later become general manager, unsurprisingly for Vincent Damphousse, who has retained the great sense of responsibility that a captain must have, at all levels.
It is essential with teammates, but also with members of management, journalists and supporters.
Vincent was not voted captain by his teammates at the Canadians. One night in Detroit, he heard from coach Mario Tremblay, along with the rest of the team, that he was going to succeed Pierre Turgeon.
“I immediately thought of Kevin Lowe and that leadership, which I really appreciated. From the beginning I devoted myself to preaching by example and did not hesitate to consult with the elders. »
One who had given Vincent good advice when things weren’t going well for the team was Guy Lafleur, who had encouraged the new captain not to hesitate, bring the players together and be honest.
“Be yourself,” said Flower, who, according to Serge Savard, could become captain himself if management had given the players a choice rather than appointing Bob Gainey.
By the way, Damphousse is happy that Suzuki will be the captain.
“It was my choice…”
AND SERG
Serge Savard, if he is a great leader at heart like his predecessor Cournoyer, has been chosen by the players and he is very proud of it.
“I have always been inspired by the great Jean Béliveau, who imposed respect, distinction and great loyalty. »
It was important for Serge that the team became a meeting of 20 leaders who devoted themselves almost blindly to the team. Earn first and then the rest.
Serge Savard doesn’t know Nick Suzuki and doesn’t care about his English monolingualism.
“I always leave the chance to the runner. He’s young and if he’s smart he’ll understand who he’s playing for… and the team and his fans. We’ll see along the way. »
For Serge, the captain must impose respect for the organization and, above all, for the coach. He tells a funny anecdote.
“I drove to the Forum with Claude Ruel every day. We were friends. One day he was appointed the team’s instructor. Our relationship has changed. He was the boss, I was the employee. In the same vein, I’ve never lacked a second of respect for Scotty Bowman. »
Respect for authority, a religion, and that comes from Laurent… his father.
If he wants to talk about it, Nick Suziki has resources all around him. Bob Gainey is also often in the Salon des Anciens.
From the enclave
- Admit you were surprised to see the RBC ad on the Canadiens jersey. You’ve seen milk from dairy products on Maple Leafs. Canada life insurance for the Jets jersey will be a given. In Minnesota, The Wild will feature the logo of Tria, which specializes in sports medicine around the world. Obviously, you can imagine that sports betting or casino sites would carve out a place for themselves. Gali River with the Coyotes in Arizona and Caesars Sportbooks with the Capitals in Washington. It is believed that half of the NHL teams will have their new sponsor this season. In Edmonton, we’re not yet saying we’re ready to take the plunge.
- Roger Federer never did anything halfway. He has four children: Myla-Rose and Charlene-Riva, two 8-year-old twins. Also Leo and Lenny, two twins who are 4 years old.
Very strong in doubles, Roger.
- Who was the first Russian player to play for the Canadian? Oleg Petrov who even took part in a single playoff game in 1993, the year of the last cup. He still lives in Montreal.
- At the renowned Beaubien Déli in Montreal Alain Bonamie will publish his biography on October 25th.
- Former President of Canada Ronald Corey was operated on in one day on the skull and was simply delighted with the care at CHUM.
- Remember the great blue march in Quebec for the return of the Nordiques? 12 years have passed today.
- 50 years ago today Bill Steinman hit a no-hitter game with the Expos against the New York Mets. It was his second after making the first against the Phillies in Philadelphia.
- She’s been bringing you the Expos games and the Canadiens for a long time. It even tried to become a pure sports radio station. Happy birthday to handsome old CKAC who turns 100 today. I worked there with pride for more than ten years. Many elders will be meeting on October 16th and I will be there in Tabarnouche…
