Children are playing hockey. The match over, Michael Bossy joins them: “You played like the pros, I’m very happy with you guys. » A player removes his mask… It’s a player! Bossy pulls himself together, smiling broadly: “And the girls! The girl’s mother suggests we go get some Kentucky Fried Chicken for the hungry little ones. Bossy, enjoying it, confided to the young player: “Me, I give your mother three stars! The mother adds: “And me to the Colonel’s secret recipe!” Bossy concludes: “That’s good chicken!” »
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
Impersonator André-Philippe Gagnon has just found a new character! Inspired by this advertising campaign, he created his Michael Bossy. A sympathetic being, naive, enthusiastic, without malice, with a devastating smile. For his purpose, the writer that I am, bets on the backstage of the glorious life of a hockey player and on the rivalry with Wayne Gretzky. In 1982, Bossy scored 64 goals! 64 goals! wow! What domination! Except that Gretzky himself has 92: “Gretzky! Gretsky! He never knows when to stop, Gretzky! »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HERBY MOREAU
André-Philippe Gagnon, in the early 1980s
The number 22 of the New York Islanders has a place of choice in the first one-man-show of André-Philippe. He arrives, skating, on the stage of the Théâtre St-Denis, helmet on his head, bottle of water in hand, to the delight of the spectators who give him a hearty ovation.
One autumn evening in 1987, the real one is in the room and witnesses the triumph of his double. We are a little worried. How will he take it? After all, the cartoon only dwells on the fried chicken side of his personality. In reality, Bossy is a brilliant, deeply thoughtful being. Will he be offended to look like the cousin of Paul and Paul’s boxer?
Not at all ! When the show is over, he hastens to come and congratulate André-Philippe and confides to him: “My girlfriend thinks we look alike! Laughing like his imitation. He was amused by the comparisons with 99 and adds grist to our mill: “During the All-Star game in Washington, the players were received at the White House. I was sitting at Vice President Bush’s table, and Gretzky was sitting at President Reagan’s table! He rolls his eyes, and shakes his head. We would swear APG! Of course, he is not jealous of La Merveille. On the contrary. But he plays the game, because he likes to make people laugh as much as his clone.
A simple guy. A real.
Still, Michael Bossy could easily have had a big head. Ignored by the CH, during the 1977 repechage, it was in New York that he became a legend. Yes, a legend, the word is not exaggerated, for once. Nine seasons of 50 or more goals, 4 consecutive Stanley Cups, 573 career goals in just 752 games! An average of 0.76 goals per game. In comparison, Gretzky scored 0.60 goals per game. Yes, he beats Gretzky, in this column. It’s good to say.
Because his exploits were achieved far from us, for an enemy team, Bossy never enjoyed the adulation that we devote to Lafleur or Roy. It’s a shame, but it’s understandable. Lafleur’s goals, he counted them with us. Roy’s saves, he executed them with us. While Bossy scored his goals without us. But he marked them anyway. With all the us he had in him, as a little boy from Montreal.
Fortunately, his post-career, he lived it here. With us. From CKOI to TVA Sports, he has been in all the stands. He was surely the hockey player who never wore the most present Canadiens jersey in our lives.
Bossy never stopped being a hometown guy.
When I met him, sometimes, at the bend of a TV set, he always greeted me with kindness. Adding: “You will say hello to André-Philippe. Before giving me a nice big smile. His famous smile, with more teeth than all the other hockey players put together.
A beautiful smile like that of a friend.
Quebec has just lost a friend.
With whom we liked to talk about hockey.
Because we know that talking about hockey is just another way of talking about love and friendship.
Thank you, Mike Bossy.