A Winning Habit
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Montreal Canadiens: The Pressure Of Being ‘Québécois’

By Patrick Lortie

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 30: Jonathan Drouin #92 of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on October 30, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Canadiens defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 30: Jonathan Drouin #92 of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on October 30, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Canadiens defeated the Coyotes 4-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – 1971: Jean Beliveau #4 Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Melchior DiGiacomo/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – 1971: Jean Beliveau #4 Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Melchior DiGiacomo/Getty Images) /

The 80’s came and skepticism and pessimism was in vogue everywhere, including sports media and Quebec was not spared. Guy Lafleur, once considered one of, if not the, greatest player of his generation was hearing it from all angles that he was washed up and couldn’t play anymore. This ultimately led to his retirement from hockey in 1985.

The Iron Curtain fell in Russia. Globalization was slowly installing itself as the norm across the world and players from all walks of life started playing in the NHL. Our heroes’ name were no longer pronounced the same way. Lemaire, Geoffrion, Roy and Carbonneau became Koivu, Naslund, Plekanec and Markov. Other teams saw names like Jagr, Bure, Mogilny, Sedin and Ovechkin.

In the 1950’s the Habs won 6 Stanley Cups, 5 of them in a row between 1955-56 to 1959-60. In the 1960’s they won 4. In the 1970’s they won 6, with 4 in a row between 1975-1976 to 1978-1979. Do the math, that’s 16 Stanley Cups in 30 years. Three decades of near dominance with teams stacked with local talent.

1986…1993…and we’re still waiting to increase the count to 25 Stanley Cups.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain Quebecers complain about the lack of French speaking players, you only need to look at history. People from prior generations connected through their sports heroes because they spoke the same language. Came from the same culture. Ate at the same places they did and more importantly, felt a sense of pride and responsibility in the jersey they wore.

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