Montreal Canadiens: Remembering Red Fisher
By Omar L
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Red Fisher who will be remembered as a legend as he spent 60 years of his life covering the Montreal Canadiens.
Everyone knows the great individuals to have ever played the game. However, there are other things that go with hockey besides those who are on the ice. There are the ones who manage, coach, scout, and cover teams. When it comes to the Montreal Canadiens, you can go to places like Habs Eyes on the Prize, All About the Habs, the Montreal Gazette, Recrutes, Sportsnet, TSN, or here of course to name a few for content on the team.
But what many don’t know is that there are those who can take a career in journalism and become a legend while doing it. Red Fisher was one of those individuals. We can talk about a lot of things about his time covering the Habs.
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of the legendary Red Fisher, who covered the Canadiens in seven separate decades from 1955 through 2012.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 19, 2018
Our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/5aKsvylH7s
Red’s first night reporting with the Montreal Star, which was coincidentally the Richard riot as the city of Montreal protested the suspension to Maurice Richard at the end of the 1954-55 season.
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Perhaps Red being at the 1972 Summit Series between Russia and players in the NHL or the fact that he wouldn’t talk to any rookies. How about his willingness to walk away from players who gave him cliched answers?
Accolades are one thing, but Red Fisher will be remembered for the person and inspiration he was and will still be to hockey writing. Whether you write for a blog, network, or do a beat on a team, we’re all channelling in different ways Fisher’s drive and passions.
This is meant to be a Morning Links post, but I think the only one that fits best is the Gazette’s words on Red who did a great job reminding all fans, not just Montreal Canadiens fans, who and what he was to the sport of hockey.
Sad to learn of the passing of longtime and iconic Montreal journalist Red Fisher who covered the Canadiens for six decades, including 17 of 24 Stanley Cups. Thanks for the memories. RIP Red.
— Geoff Molson (@GMolsonCHC) January 20, 2018
I remember asking Red Fisher at the closing of the Montreal Forum what made it such a special place. “Nothing,” he said. “It’s just a building. What made it remarkable were the people in it.”
— Gord Miller 🌻🇺🇦 (@GMillerTSN) January 19, 2018
Red was one of those special people. He’ll be missed by all whose lives he touched.
Said hello to Red Fisher every time I saw him at Habs game. Took 5 yrs 4him 2say hello back & 2talk to me. U had 2pay your dues w/time & hard work 2earn Red's respect. U knew u arrived 1st time he talked to u. & when he talked, u listened. Godfather of Sports Journalists. RIP Red
— Tony Marinaro (@TonyMarinaro) January 19, 2018
The best way for this young hockey broadcaster in the 1970s to know that I was doing things correctly was to hear that from Red Fisher. His death saddens all who knew him or read his work.
— Dave Hodge (@davehodge20) January 19, 2018
Incredibly sad news. There will never be another Red Fisher. I owe so much to the man since he was the one who first hired me at The Gazette and took a chance on a young kid and then helped teach me the sports journalism business from the ground up. A very sad day. #Habs #HabsIO https://t.co/7noFWJfNXw
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) January 19, 2018
One of my treasured moments was in 2005 when Red Fisher pulled me aside and told me he enjoyed my coverage of the NHL lockout. I was shocked he knew who I even was. My knees almost gave. His nod of approval meant so much to me. Absolute legend
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 19, 2018
I owe so much to Red Fisher. I do what I do basically because of him. Was truly an honour that I got to at least sit in the press box at the same time as him. I'm incredibly saddened by this news. Rest in peace, Red.
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) January 19, 2018
I'm joining the hundreds of voices expressing their sorrow at today's loss of sportswriting legend Red Fisher. He was a friend and a mentor, a man who said, "I'll keep doing it until I get it right." Red, rest in peace, knowing you got it right from your first day on the job
— Dave Stubbs 🇨🇦 (@Dave_Stubbs) January 19, 2018
Sad news out of MTL. I don’t drink Chivas but I’ll raise one anyway to a smart, funny, cantankerous, true original. R.I.P. Red Fisher: https://t.co/26ScHCNKWS
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 19, 2018
A table in Bell Centre media dining room was known as Red Fisher's table. No one sat there until Red invited you. When he did it was sign of respect. Never forget the day I got the invite. Thanks, Red, for allowing me to sit + chat all those times with the legend you were. RIP.
— Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) January 19, 2018
Red Fisher as he was an absolute legend and the root of modern sports coverage, inspiring generations of writers. A measuring stick for all of us to aspire to.
— Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) January 19, 2018
He saw the Canadiens evolve, fail, rise, win, lose, and adapt. From 1954 to 2012, Red Fisher was there. #GoHabsGo
‘Les trois étoiles, the 3 stars, as picked by Red Fisher of the Gazette.’ That sentence there was as much a part of growing up in Canada as maple syrup.
— Dan O'Toole (@dangotoole) January 20, 2018
When I first started working in hockey 11 years ago I met Red Fisher in the press box and awkwardly told him I’d been reading his work forever. “I’ve been writing it forever,” he said, making himself laugh. It was the only time I ever saw him really smile. He was a loveable grump
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) January 19, 2018