Another year coming to an end. As we get older, the more we move forward in time, the faster things go! That’s how it is, that’s life.
Each year that passes brings us its share of stories. I chose a few from our world of sport, just to meditate a little.
All-star game without Quebecers
The absence of Quebec players at the last NHL All-Star Game, a first in history, is a striking indicator of the decline in our pool of players in the best hockey league in the world. And nothing says that it won’t happen again next year. There is only one Quebecer among the top 100 scorers in the NHL. Jonathan Marchessault of the Vegas Golden Knights and winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy last June, was ranked 77th before last night’s games. Sean Couturier of the Philadelphia Flyers was ranked 115th. However, the latter does not consider himself Quebecois, even if he played three years with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, he prefers to say that he is New Brunswicker since Hockey Quebec refused him an exemption to play at the bantam level in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. His family left Quebec to settle in New Brunswick, where his father, Sylvain, is today general manager of the Cape Breton Eagles. Among defensemen, Mike Matheson of the Canadiens was 17th in offense and Kristopher Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins was 45th. Samuel Montembeault was 31st in wins with seven, 26th in save percentage with a .911 average and 29th in goals allowed average with a 2.79 pg average. He is the first Quebecer in all three categories, but his progress is beautiful to see. But there is reason to wonder nonetheless. Is our hockey in danger? Recruiters argue that the ban on fighting in the QMJHL works against players from the Quebec circuit in the NHL draft. It’s funny, but American and European hockey don’t value fighting either.
The missing link
As for the Canadian, the disappointment of the year was to have failed in the Connor Bedard lottery. The reconstruction phase would have been transformed with the acquisition of a player of Bedard’s caliber. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are good players, but they lack a little something to be dominant players. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a player like Bedard with the Habs. That said with no disrespect to Carey Price who led his team as far as he could during his 15 seasons in Montreal. Because an impact player is usually an attacker. Sometimes a defender can fill this role, but Bobby Orrs don’t run the streets. They say that you shouldn’t live in the past, but since Guy Lafleur, no Canadiens player has roused the crowds like him in Montreal. This is sorely lacking in a hockey market like ours. It’s like the Yankees and Dodgers don’t have star players.
The return of the year
At the same time last year, I gave a column a headline saying: “It’s a mess at the Alouettes.” The day before, when Jason Maas was hired as head coach, Danny Maciocia was questioned from all sides regarding the ownership of the team. Gary Stern was the owner on paper, but he hadn’t been seen anywhere for months. The team found itself in danger, once again. In January, it fell back under the supervision of the Canadian Football League for a second time in four years. Then, in March, Pierre Karl Péladeau arrived on the scene by purchasing the dealership. What followed was a metamorphosis that no one had dared to hope for. From September 23 to November 19, the Alouettes did nothing but win. The victory in the Gray Cup game felt like a breath of fresh air. The recovery work is not finished, but for the first time in several years, we have the feeling that the organization is moving in the right direction. Mark Weightman brought the team back into the community. Hat!
Started off as a champion!
As the great champion that he is, Patrick Roy left his position as general manager and head coach of the Quebec Remparts in glory. Although we may say that his career in the Quebec Junior Hockey League was marked by spicy episodes, he was an asset to the circuit. Perhaps the best leader in the history of the QMJHL. Try to find a former Quebec National League player who returns home after his career and gives back to his sport and his community. What awaits him now? Having seen him in November during the induction of Pierre Turgeon into the Hockey Hall of Fame, I can tell you that he feels very good about himself. And if there was a chill between him and Joe Sakic, as we heard following his hasty departure from Colorado, that is a thing of the past. The two toasted happily and parted ways with a warm hug after the celebrations. Will we see Roy behind the Ottawa Senators bench? It didn’t go for that. In fact, if it didn’t happen I wouldn’t be surprised. However, Roy would be the perfect man to take charge of this team. It would bring what this organization lacks, that is to say credibility and visibility.
Failed exit
Unlike Roy, Gilles Courteau experienced an end to his career which relegated his great achievements during his 37 years of service to the QMJHL to the background. The 65-year-old paid a high price for the degrading initiation rituals that plagued the circuit for decades. As for that, the general managers and coaches who were aware of these stories should have also stood up or been severely sanctioned. Parents do not entrust their children to junior teams to suffer physical abuse that leads to psychological distress. That said, Courteau had to do good things to stay in office this long. Among these, there is the scholarship donation program for players who request one after their junior career. The amount allocated is $6,000 for each year played, which means that the amount can rise to $24,000 for those who have played four seasons. Courteau was also the project manager for expansions in Abitibi, Bas-Saint-Laurent, the North Shore and the Maritimes.
A social plague
Would you like to hear about the Olympic Stadium? The enclosure has just been closed to allow exploratory work to be carried out in the stadium ground. Necessary operation, let us point out. This closure will notably force CF Montreal to play its opening match at the Saputo stadium, which cannot happen before April. The team will therefore be required to play several matches abroad before being able to perform in front of its fans. Earlier this year, we learned that in addition to the canvas, the technical ring will also have to be replaced. The costs of this operation would amount to between 750 million and one billion, according to The Press. If that was all it was. The stadium needs a complete makeover to be up to date and, again, that would not be enough to attract a major baseball or National League football team. The Legault government and Mayor Plante want the stadium to survive. It’s legitimate, but it requires tenants capable of presenting several events per year. The place may be a great tourist attraction but represents a social nuisance for Quebec taxpayers. Such a waste!