A Montreal Canadiens fan blog
Former Players
Saku Koivu returns to Montreal
Jan 22nd
Tonight is the big game. Well, in one sense it is. In fact if you’ve been a fan of the Montreal Canadiens anytime in the last decade then you’re familiar with longtime captain Saku Koivu.
Koivu, during his tenure in Montreal, was one of my all time favorite players. In fact, back when Saku officially became a free agent, I wrote an article with my personal goodbye to him titled “To Saku Koivu“.
I can tell you that I’ve cheered the former Habs captain on for so many years that it will be hard not to cheer him on against the very team he once lead. Koivu had been an inspiration on many levels. Coming back from a few major injuries, a battle with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and a certain disrespect that I don’t believe he deserved as long time captain of the team. I know some might argue otherwise but I could never understand the hounding he took from certain media outlets because he couldn’t speak french.
I thought I’d share some info sent to me by Matthew Ross, host of Game Points on the Team990 (which happens to be one of my favorite sports channels… that’s my plug! haha) on some recent polling going on for Saku Koivu’s return to Montreal:
Will Saku Koivu (ANA) score a goal?
Yes +325 ( or 13/4)
No -450 ( or 2/9)
Will Saku Koivu (ANA) record a point?
Yes +140 (or 7/5)
No -170 (or 10/17)
Will Saku Koivu (ANA) be the first star of the Game?
Yes -150 (or 2/3)
No +110 (or 11/10)
There’s been quite a bit of stuff written about Koivu’s return to Montreal. I really enjoyed this article by Dave Stubbs of the Gazette titled “Emotional return for Captain K“.
I’m really hoping that Koivu gets a warm response from the crowd. Through his long tenure as captain he was the source of much emotion, but inspirational like coming back from his battle with cancer, or battling back from a near career ending eye injury…. or from his critics that continued to pound at him in papers and radio/TV talk shows that he should speak french.
Saku, I truly hope you get an incredible welcome tonight. You deserve it.
Jaroslav Halak interview in Montreal
Sep 4th
Even though Jaroslav Halak is with the St Louis blues, he still holds a special spot with many Habs fans.
Today Jaroslav was saying his goodbyes and thank yous to fans in Montreal and there were estimates of about 5000 fans showing up to meet Halak.
Personally, I’ll never doubt him. He just did everything he had to do in order to find his number 1 job that he now holds in St Louis. Played the ECHL, played the AHL… starting, backup… always worked hard.
I’m happy that he’s getting a number one job.
Here the link to the interview.
And here’s the video player:
(Courtesy or RDS)
Best wishes to you Jaro!
Jaroslav Halak now officially a St Louis Blues
Jul 6th
Today it was announced that Jaroslav Halak signed a 4 year contract with the St Louis Blues. That officially makes him a St Louis Blues player.
I just wanted to write a few words to say that in my opinion, Jaroslav is one of those players who earned that 4 year $15 million dollar contract and all the respect that goes with it. In his draft year he was pretty much overlooked, he did his time in the ECHL, he did his stints in the AHL (call ups, send downs), he was put in as backup (behind both Huet and Price) on a few occasions despite playing very well and he never really made a fuss. He worked hard and through that hard work was rewarded.
Jaro you always looked good in that Habs jersey. Thanks for the memories and I wish you the very best in your career.
No offers for Dominic Moore and Glen Metropolit
Jul 6th
It’s official. Dominic Moore and Glen Metropolit will not be offered new contracts.
I can say that I was a fan of Metropolit from the time he came to Montreal. And really, who could forget that first game?
He’s put on waivers by his team at the time, the Philadelphia Flyers, only to be picked up by Bob Gainey’s (at the time) Montreal Canadiens. What made this unforgettable is that Metro had to face his former team that day.
I remember watching that game and how it was mentioned…. later on I remember hearing about the adversity he faced in his youth and also beating the odds to play in the NHL.
More >
Montreal Canadiens Alumni tour comes to the maritimes
Dec 18th
It’s been announced that the Montreal Canadiens alumni will be playing in Summerside PEI on either the 11th or the 12th of February 2010.
Here’s the Journal Pioneer’s announcement.
I’d love to see the Alumni play.
Some of the players listed on this trip:
Stephane Richer, Yvon Lambert, Sergio Momesso, Gilbert Dionne, Mario Roberge, Karl Dykhuis and goaltender Richard Sevigny.
