Many former players from the Montreal Canadiens organization were present at the Bell Center on Monday for the launch of the book Pierre Gervais: at the heart of the locker room. Everyone is unanimous: Gervais has been an integral part of the history of this team.
It was Serge Savard, general manager of the team in 1983 and 1995, who opened the doors of the Forum locker room to Gervais. More than 35 years later, the Senator has no regrets about his decision: “He’s a really good guy. It’s not for nothing that it lasted so long. »
Gervais has also identified Savard among the most decisive people in his career. He also named Réjean Houle, who succeeded Savard for five seasons.
“Pierre Gervais is a great guy who has been important for the organization. He supervised the greatest players who spent in this club. He was always there, even when we were less good. Across the league, he is recognized for his kindness, generosity and his way of bringing others to light. »
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Serge Savard and Pierre Gervais
Among the players in recent history who appreciated the presence of Gervais in the locker room, there is Steve Bégin. The forward spent six seasons with the organization and his memories of the equipment manager are all overwhelmingly positive.
” Gerv is a person I greatly respect. He is a wonderful, caring person, he was always listening to us and he made sure everything was fine. Some are more special than others, but he made sure everyone was on an equal footing. If you needed something, he found it for you. That’s a professional, “said the former number 22.
This is also what Houle noted. “Inside the organization, everyone felt comfortable in their environment. “Despite the different characters, the changing temperament and the varied demands of the players, “he always came to the end of adjusting”, he notes.
Bégin greatly respected Gervais for his kindness, but also for his rigor and firmness. “He knew when to put his foot down and when demands were more difficult, he tried to find solutions, but he was clear with everyone. He therefore knew how to impose his limits and the supervision he offered was beneficial for the entire locker room.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Serge Savard, Vincent Damphousse, Pierre Gervais, Guy Carbonneau and Réjean Houle
After all, the equipment manager knows the players better than anyone and that’s what has always fascinated Savard. “It’s a pretty special job, because you get very close to the players and the twenty players are different. »
Misunderstood work
The role of equipment manager is certainly not the job that is most likely to be spotlighted in the National Hockey League. However, the work accomplished is essential, especially when it is carried out by a man as competent as Gervais, says Bégin: “If you don’t have someone like Gerv, the players are not on the ice. Besides, it’s such a job ungrateful who is not recognized at its fair value. »
Houle, who has worked in all spheres of the hockey world, insists that equipment staff are critical in a professional organization: “The support staff around a hockey team is very important. If you’re a bad influence, it affects everyone. Whereas if your environment is healthy, everything is fine and everyone is pushing in the same direction and that’s where we win. »
Even though Gervais has spent most of his time in the shadows, Savard is surprised, but delighted that he’s getting so much attention. “It’s the first time I’ve seen an equipment manager who has become a superstar,” he jokes. He was entitled to a retirement perhaps more publicized than some players. »