Misconduct | The Friendliest Athlete You’ve Met: Your Answers

Too easy in my case! It’s Guy Lafleur. During a photo session for an advertisement in the souvenir program of the Nordiques for the Quebec Ministry of Tourism, of which Mr. Lafleur was the star, he quite simply seduced everyone on the set. I left with his signed jersey and stick for my son. But what a smart guy (and I’ve met some stars in my job)!

I had the good fortune to meet the great Jean Béliveau, dressed in civilian clothes, on the edge of a skating rink where he had just proceeded to the official face-off of the arena. Mr. Béliveau approached me for a bit of a chat. A magical moment of pure happiness in front of this great man.

I am Maurice Richard. Mr. Richard had just retired and was involved in some way in a children’s bowling league in Chomedey. He came to the bowling alley every Saturday morning to see the young people play. I was 9 years old and my parents suggested I talk to him. What I did. Mr. Richard was obviously very nice, interested and curious. The most incredible thing is that thereafter, every Saturday, he came to greet me and called me by my first name. I was very impressed.

During my childhood, during an outing to Montreal with my parents, my father took us to the restaurant of Émile Butch Bouchard. While waiting for the meal, Mr. Bouchard sat down with us for a nice, long and warm conversation during which he even apologized for the absence of his son Pierre, when we knew that he was on the road to collect victories with Ti-Guy and the gang. What an incredible mix of simplicity, class and kindness from Mr. Bouchard!

I’ve served a lot of athletes, especially hockey players, through my work in the hospitality industry. The nicest of them all was easily Pierre Turgeon. He is the only one who did not turn the conversation towards him. A simple and sincere guy. We talked more about me than about him. My eyes water every time I talk about it, I had just had a child and that’s what we talked about. He told me at that time that his twin daughters were the apple of his eye. Imagine the sadness a few months later when I learned that one of her daughters had died in a car accident.

Martin St-Louis. At the start of a day of golf, the greens were still frozen, so there was a lot of people at the clubhouse. The poor waitress was no longer responding to the request. It was Martin St-Louis who stood up to serve coffee to everyone. wow!

I haven’t met a ton of them, but Kristian Matte, of the Montreal Alouettes, is an athlete who deserves his name in the list of the most likeable. His most beautiful side: he does not take himself for another. He is someone who is humble, who speaks to people by giving them importance. A real gentleman!

A few years ago, I met Francis Bouillon at a sporting event. I asked him if I could take a photo for my boy who loves hockey. He complied with pleasure. I also mentioned that my boy was small and was being shuffled around on the ice. He added, “Tell your boy to hold on to his dreams and always work hard, it always pays off!” In short, Mr. Bouillon was very available and very generous with his time, despite all the people who asked for him!

Without a doubt Claude Raymond. I have met him for about twenty years during an annual golf tournament which brings together around 70 players whose only common point is a passion for golf. There is no known name except Claude. He’s “one of the boys,” no matter who he’s paired with on his quartet. Very friendly, humble, sociable, everyone has nothing but positive things to say about him.

Bruny Surin. I had the chance to meet him at a party where he was the guest of honour. He agreed to talk to me as easily as if I had met him regularly. He had an Olympic medal with him and I had brought my medal from the Canada Games. We both did athletics. He suggested I trade our medals for a photo. It was a pleasure. A super friendly man.

The nicest professional athlete I’ve had the chance to meet is Gary Carter, when he was playing for the Montreal Expos. Not only was he all smiles, but he had a good word for everyone, handing out handshakes and autographed photos with a quick note to everyone in attendance at Players Day. Often the players were there reluctantly and didn’t mess around with people, but Mr. Carter seemed to be really enjoying the moment.