As Christmas approaches, the businessman plunges back into his memories. Those of a child who enjoyed a rare privilege: that of growing up with his idols.
Her memories of the holiday season are crystal clear. Every year, one day in December, all the members of the Canadiens organization were invited to a big Christmas party within the walls of the mythical Forum. Enthusiastic young Geoff Molson put on his skates and jumped onto the rink with his idols: Steve Shutt, Guy Lafleur, Serge Savard.
“We were passing the puck, the players’ spouses were there. Their children too. Santa Claus would come, give presents,” he told The Press.
For the curious: Claude Mouton, the team announcer, was hiding under the disguise of Santa Claus. “I didn’t know it was him, but I found out afterwards! »
This big party has become a tradition that the owner still keeps alive. That day, and only that day, young Geoff had access to the room where the players’ sticks were stored. The equivalent of paradise for him.
“There were hundreds of them. My favorite player was Steve Shutt. I was coming out of this party Christmas with three or four of his sticks that I was going to play with. »
Then, like many other children, he spent most of the holiday season at the local skating rink with his brothers Andrew and Justin. “We came back to eat and we went back,” he says.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Geoff Molson
On December 24, when they opened their gifts, the brothers always received at least one article from the Canadian. It could be a t-shirt, but never a replica sweater.
“My children write me their wishes for Christmas and it’s always a jersey of their favorite player. Me, I never even dreamed of that because it was not normal. We wore ties. »
Youth at the Forum
Our interview with the 51-year-old takes place in the players’ lounge, located near the locker room, in the bowels of the Bell Centre. The large space, both coquettish and convivial, includes large sofas, televisions and a buffet section. There is also a long red table adorned with a huge Habs logo; this is where Geoff Molson tells his story.
The owner was 7 years old when Brasserie Molson acquired the Canadiens in 1978, after the club had belonged to the Bronfman brothers for seven years.
Until then “just one fan », the young Geoff approached the team. The Molson family then lived on Avenue Wood, two blocks from the Forum. “On the corner of Sherbrooke and Wood, there was an outdoor skating rink,” he recalls. These were the two places where I spent a lot of time. »
In the lair of the Canadian, the Molson brothers had to comply with certain rules. “It was my father who followed the rules of his father and his uncle,” he says. “My great-uncle [Hartland Molson] was in every game. He was always perfectly dressed and well-groomed. My father followed him and he also imposed this responsibility on us. »
Speaking of his great-uncle, Geoff Molson recalls an anecdote that illustrates well the man he was. Then about fifteen years old, Geoff accompanied him in the stands of the Forum. That evening, Chris Nilan flew into a rage against an opposing player. ” [Nilan] sacred. He was using all the wrong words in English. »
At the time, there was no bay window that separated the spectators from the players’ bench. “My great-uncle knocked [Chris Nilan] with his cane on the bench and said, “You don’t need to use that kind of language. “After the game, he came to apologize with his equipment,” Molson said with a laugh.
Another rule: he was forbidden to enter the locker room. A little intimidated, he stood outside and discreetly waved at his favorite players when they left the rink.
I always learned from my father that the locker room is their locker room, for the players. And even today, I think I’ve walked into the locker room with them twice in 14 years to talk to them.
Geoff Molson
The president prefers to hang out in the players’ lounge. This is where he hears from them. “It’s rare that I talk about hockey, unless they want to talk about it. […] They know that I am there, that I know everything. I know their wife or their girlfriend and their children. It’s important to me because it’s a big family. »
Molson is the father of four children aged 22, 21, 17 and 16, all of whom have played or currently play hockey. They, like him, grew up in the entourage of the CH. And the father applied with them the same rules that he himself had to follow. Why end the tradition?
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Geoff Molson
“The biggest difference between my youth and their youth is that I have access to the rink here a lot more often than when I was young,” he confides.
When one of his children is visiting from the United States, as was the case a few days before this interview, the owner and president of the Habs offers a family visit to the Bell Center. And each time, “it’s special”, he says before adding: “I always ask permission. […] I don’t abuse anything. »
The Montreal amphitheater is like his second home. “And I’m very lucky,” he says.
” It’s incredible ”
Thirteen years have passed since Geoff Molson bought the Canadian from George Gillet in June 2009. The main interested party keeps the piece of paper on which he drew up his business plan. “I found it the other day because I was cleaning my office,” he says, laughing.
In the weeks following the purchase, every time he entered the Bell Center, the new owner pinched himself. ” I thought : Oh my God, I’m so happy to have this. And to be responsible for that, ”he recalls, pointing in front of him with his hands, as if the whole Bell Center was in front of his eyes.
“It was special. It’s still special today. […] Last night, I was in the dressing room, and I say to myself from time to time: Wow, look at this, it’s incredible. It’s incredible. »
Behind the businessman, there will always be the little boy who came to the Forum proudly dressed and who worshiped Steve Shutt. His role, however, requires him to separate heart and reason.
“I think it was one of the things I was most ready for,” he says. The two can live together, but at the end of the day, you have to make good, responsible decisions. And the heart must understand. »
Sometimes you have to make decisions with people you love, and that’s where the rational has to come out.
Geoff Molson
Our interview is coming to an end, 45 minutes have passed in the calm of the players’ lounge. As a final question, we ask Geoff Molson if he wants the Canadian to stay in the family as long as possible. He nods. Then he adds:
“I think if I do my job in the right way, my children are going to be ready one day too. […] I think they all want my job ! But it takes longer than they think. Like I did, they go to work elsewhere, form their own career. »
We’ll see after “.