Thirty-eight-year-old Quebecer Kristian Matte remains the only current Alouettes player who was there the last time the team won more than 10 wins in a season. It was in 2012.
As Matte stood in the locker room after Saturday’s 22-20 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, he knew all too well that the work was far from over. Still, he, more than anyone else, could be very proud of the 11-7 regular season record after experiencing some rather unstable years, particularly at the personnel level.
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“We are definitely proud of these eleven wins. It’s special to achieve this for the first time since 2012. That means we worked hard,” the offensive lineman agreed. It wasn’t necessarily easy all season, but we never gave up.”
“I’m happy, I’m proud, but there’s still a lot to do,” he added. Even today (Saturday) we could have told ourselves that the important game would be next week [contre ces mêmes adversaires en demi-finale de l’Est]. However, our mentality is to show in every game that there is no one who will work harder than us.
Maas’ message
This identity, which is that of the Alouettes, has been shaped by the message that head coach Jason Maas has continually repeated since the first day of training camp.
“Even when things don’t go so well, we keep going,” summarized Matte. It’s hard work. We never stop. As the saying goes: If you go out when it rains, you go out when it snows. From the beginning, Jason conveyed the image of the postman. No matter what the weather is outside, we have a job to do.”
Photo Martin Chevalier
“I wasn’t there in 2012, the only one who was there is still Kristian Matte,” Maas rightly remarked about that 11:7 record in the regular season. We have many characteristics that make good teams. Above all, we have a good group of people who work extremely hard. It’s a special group and I’m proud to be a part of it. I’m proud of the eleven wins, but even prouder of the way the boys worked all season.
A small miracle
To add to the pride, it’s worth noting that the Alouettes organization was coming off a very difficult offseason when Pierre Karl Péladeau purchased the team last March. Former owner Gary Stern had previously distanced himself from the Alouettes, which limited the opportunities that could be pursued, particularly with free agents. It would be a small miracle if the Montreal club had a positive record in this 2023 season.
“We are always very happy about the victory, but I am also very proud of the organization and the behavior of the players,” emphasized Pierre Karl Péladeau, who met after the game on Saturday. I feel like a new sense of pride has emerged as the season has progressed. The dynamics are very good and the team is well positioned.”
“I am very proud of the entire team, from the very top [le directeur général] Danny Maciocia and the people in the office, all the men and women who are part of the organization, down to the players, Matte added. It’s an incredible feeling.”