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The famous Le Club de Hockey Canadien was founded in 1909 and is the oldest professional hockey team around. A record 24 Stanley Cups, more than any other team adds to the luster. The fan base is huge, at one time dividing Canada to two warring camps: Les Canadiens & arch rival the Toronto Maple Leafs. Since expansion there are a total of six Canadian teams, more to root from. But, I feel that the Habs are Canada’s team. Just go to any Canadiens game and there’s a sea of excited bleu-blanc-et-rouge fans waiting.
Even in the sea of turmoil of last season with an underachieving team, a change is beginning. Enter a sense of optimism as American majority owner, George Gillett Jr. has sold the team to the Montréal based Molson family & and a new ownership group. Gillett took over the team back in 2001 and held it for eight years without the elusive 25th Stanley Cup.
Change is good. During the off season, eleven players were cast off to make room for eight new ones. The much beloved, Saku Koivu moves to Anaheim and so a Captaincy needs to be filled. The skates are huge as are the pressure that goes with it. Fans had a love/hate relationship with the highly skilled Alex Kovalev as he leaves for Ottawa along with his inconsistent play.
Memory of their quick exit in the first round of last Spring’s playoffs still churns in the gut of every Habs fan. Me included. So, General Manager Bob Gainey started with the firing of coach Guy Carbonneau and from then on the renovation started.
New players & coaches are now added and all for the better. Coach Jacques Martin, well known for his defensive play, will be tested. I question the new coach, that we also need goal scoring offense. Then again, I’m part of the new optimism.
Among the new guys is American Scott Gomez, grabbed from the NY Rangers as a goal scoring gritty centre. Could he be the next Captain? The new team is forming and the season starts this October 1st with arch foe, the Maple Leafs. Definitely, a new Phoenix rising to high expectations!
Written by Richard Lee
www.cyclingart.blogspot.com
Posted September 13th, 2009 by cyclingart
