Montreal Canadiens season ticket holder, Alouette’s general manager Danny Maciocia, does not hide his admiration for Quebec forward Rafaël Harvey-Pinard. He praises the word “pride” and admits that this is the type of athlete he is looking for at his football club.
“I admire Rafaël Harvey-Pinard’s stamina,” notes Maciocia. If you see him go and know his story, he’s a player who gives you a lot of arguments not to keep him in the beginning. He’s not necessarily the best size, his game isn’t the most physical, he doesn’t have the strongest throw, but he finds a way. Because he’s proud to wear the Canadiens jersey.
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Maciocia, who has great respect for the leaders of the Habs, is careful not to comment on the relative importance of the Quebec players at the Canadiens.
“The National Hockey League and the Canadian Football League are two completely different worlds, but whether it’s a hockey player or a football player, that pride exists,” said the Alouettes GM.
Regarding his team, Maciocia makes a point of relying on a large number of Quebecers.
“There’s a certain pride associated with being able to keep your best employees at home,” he concludes. Last year, out of the 21 Canadians we attracted, there were games where 13 were from Quebec.
The logo on the front, the name on the back
According to Maciocia, a Quebec athlete should always be proud to defend a local club’s logo, but he must also do so in accordance with his family and the name he bears on the back of his uniform.
“It is often said that the logo on the front is more important than the name on the back. Yes and no, he says. The name behind it is also very important because this name represents many people who made sacrifices to get you there. When you step onto the rink or the field, you need to think of those who have impacted your life to get this opportunity.
“I don’t know Rafaël Harvey-Pinard but I like to think that every time he puts on the Canadiens shirt it represents all of that,” said Maciocia.
As the CFL draft begins Tuesday night, the Alouettes’ GM knows full well that this auction isn’t the only way to have Quebecers on the team. But if he can add a few, he will. A matter of pride.