“Suzuki has an 8-year contract, it seems to me that it is enough to learn a few words in French just to please the fans.”

Guy Carbono is clear. Being the captain of a hockey team is first and foremost for the unity of the club that fosters the harmonious bond between team members, young and old, coach or management member.

In Montreal, the French truth is there, and for Carbo, it is undeniable, but above all, it is the team. Bob Gainey was a perfect example of him.

“Congratulations to Bob, who has learned French, but you have to be honest. Everything happens in the locker room in English.”

Yvan Cournoyer was served by two types of wonderful leaders. Jean Bellevue, the tallest, had warned his teammates that he was just as captain during the winter, and during the season, in the playoffs as he was when the summer came. Family, personal or other issues, all the players knew that Big Jean had an attentive ear and that he was a real big brother. Evan even talks about a father in his condition.

“The other great captain was thinking of only one thing: winning. Henry Richard made him sick. He couldn’t swallow defeat and his interventions multiplied once the team started to struggle. No patience.”

He hasn’t won 11 Stanley Cups for free.

“I still wonder if he didn’t step in faster than the coach. He wasn’t embarrassed, he got angry and it was impossible, practically or identically, to get his hands dirty if Henry was around.”

Yvan learned a lot from these two very different men and when he found himself with a “C” on his shirt, he tried to incorporate his own personality and what he learned from Jean and Henri.

“I loved being a close friend, a big brother like Jane. They helped the young, the injured and those who had a hard time asserting themselves. I also did not hesitate to invite the players to a Meeting Especially when we were on the road. There is no coach that I liked when we spoke in Bayadh El-Ayoun. »

Yvan adds that it’s also important that the captain treats all his teammates on the same level and that the players end up welding together, forming a real block of cement.

From Edmonton and Lachute

Vincent Dumbos first learned the role of captain from a man from Lachute who won in Edmonton.

Vincent played for the Oilers, but after the most glorious years with Gretzky, Corey, Messier and also Kevin Lowe who saw all the others leave.

He stayed in northern Alberta as a good soldier with a “C” on his chest. Really good captain Vincent would say.

“Kevin taught me a lot with his courage and the confidence he put in the dressing room, even if we were in reconstruction. He had great experience and sensitivity as well. Under the circumstances, it was important.”

Kevin Lowe would later become General Manager, which didn’t surprise Vincent Dumbos who retained the great sense of responsibility a captain should have, and that’s on all levels.

With teammates, it’s essential, but also with management members, journalists, and supporters.

In Al-Kindi, Vincent was not chosen by his colleagues as a captain. One evening in Detroit, from the mouth of coach Mario Tremblay, he simultaneously learned with the whole team that he would succeed Pierre Turgeon.

“I immediately thought of Kevin Lowe and this leadership that I valued. From the beginning, I offered myself to preach by example, and I also did not hesitate to consult with the elders.”

One who advised Vincent well when things were not going well for the team was Jay Lafleur who encouraged the new captain not to hesitate to get the players together while he was loyal.

“Be yourself,” said Flower, who, according to Serge Savard, could have become a captain himself if the team’s management allowed players to choose rather than appoint Bob Gainey.

By the way, Damphousse is happy to see Suzuki become a captain.

“It was my choice…”

It is worth mentioning

Serge Savard, if a great leader at heart, like his predecessor Cornuer, was chosen by the players and he is very proud of that.

“I have always been inspired by the great Jean Bellevue who commanded respect, distinction and great loyalty.”

For Serge, it was important for the team to become a meeting of twenty leaders who were blindly devoted to the team. Earn first, then the rest.

Serge Savard doesn’t know Nick Suzuki and doesn’t care about his monolingual English.

“I, always give the runner the opportunity. He is young and if he is smart, he will understand who he is playing for … and the team and the fans. We will see along the way.”

For Serge, the captain must dictate respect for the organization, especially the coach. It tells a funny tale.

“Every day, I traveled to the forum with Claude Rouel. We were friends. One day he became the team coach. Our relationship changed. He was the boss and I the employee. In the same sense, I never lacked a second of respect towards Scotty Bowman.”

Respect for authority, religion and this from Laurent… his father.

If he wants to talk about it, Nick Suzeki has resources all around him. Even Bob Jenny is often at the Salon des Anciens.

out of pocket

• Admit that you were surprised to see the RBC ad appear on the Canadiens shirt. I’ve seen milk and dairy products on the maple leaf. Canada Life insurance on the Jets shirt would be a normal thing. In Minnesota, Wild will showcase the Tria logo, which specializes in sports medicine around the world. Obviously, you can imagine that sports betting sites or casinos would have made a place for themselves. Galle River with coyotes in Arizona and Caesars Sportbooks with capitals in Washington. It is believed that half of the NHL teams will have a new sponsor this season. In Edmonton, we’re not saying we’re ready to take that leap yet.
• Roger Federer Didn’t do anything halfway. He has four children: Mila Rose and Charlene Riva, 8-year-old twins. Also, Leo and Lenny are 4-year-old twins.
  Very strong in doubles, Roger.

• Who was the first Russian player to play for the Canadian? Oleg Petrov Who even participated in one playoff in 1993, the last cup year. He still resides in Montreal.
• At the famous Beaubien Déli in Montreal Alan Bonami He will release his autobiography on October 25th.
• Former Canadian President Ronald Corrie He underwent a one day surgery on the top of his head and was simply delighted with the care provided at CHUM.
• Do you remember the Great Blue March in Quebec for the return of the Nordics? It’s been 12 years today.
• 50 years ago today Bill Stoneman Make a non-hit match for the Expos against the New York Mets. This was his second, after he succeeded in his first win against the Phillies in Philadelphia.
• I have long brought you the Expos Games as well as the Canadian Games. It even tried to become an all-sports radio station. Happy birthday to the beautiful old lady CKAC who is 100 years old today. I worked there proudly for over ten years. Lots of old people will meet on October 16 and I will be there in Tabarnoush…