Georges Laraque leads NHLPA/World Vision team to Haiti

Georges Laraque and Nashville Predators defenceman Dan Hamhuis enjoyed some ball hockey with some Jamaican children Tuesday – Photo: NHLPA

Former Montreal Canadiens tough guy Georges Laraque arrived in Haiti on Tuesday as part of a joint delegation from the NHLPA and World Vision’s Hockey for Haiti program.

The program, initiated by Laraque, benefits the victims and families of the January 12 earthquake that devastated a large section of the country. The majority of the projects funds will support the Grace Children’s Hospital in Port-au-Prince. The hospital is now operating an outpatient clinic from tents in the yard.

"To me, this is what life is all about,” said Laraque, who’s parents are from Haiti, in an NHLPA press release. “It's about people coming together to help those who are in need. It's unbelievable what the NHLPA has done. They know what is going on in the world and they know this initiative is very important."

Joining the delegation is Nashville Predators defenceman Dan Hamhuis, who leaped at the chance to help out.

“When the call from the NHLPA went out asking if players would be interested in traveling to Haiti for this initiative, I jumped at the opportunity,” said Hamhuis. “I’ve always wanted to visit a third-world country and to do it in this way, a chance to do a small part to help, makes it very special.”

Laraque and Hamhuis took part in a road hockey game with local kids on Tuesday.

The delegation will also visit the hospital, and announce progress on an auction of game worn jerseys from the 2010 Winter Olympics. The auction runs until the end of June. Information on how to bid can be found at www.ebay.ca/nhlpa or www.nhlpa.com/auctions.

Laraque and Hamhuis are scheduled to appear on a live chat with Yahoo! Puck Daddy on Wednesday at 2:30pm, to discuss their efforts.

Farewell Georges Laraque, With Music By ABBA

Sweden gave us ABBA, so maybe it’s fair for many that Georges Laraque goes to the Swedish Elite League. But perhaps that’s too cruel!

And so, Georges Laraque, another page has turned.

It appears that you told AIK Stockholm, of the Swedish Elite League,  to “Take A Chance On Me”… “Mamma Mia”!

The report even says that “Money, Money, Money” is not the issue, and you will play for free. The team will covered your travel, lodging, meals, PETA (Swedish Chapter) dues, etc.

Since you met your “Waterloo” last week in Montreal, it was a bit of a surprise to see you want to “Move On” to another league.

One would expect that you would help the “SOS” call in Haiti and make your way to the devastated country, as discussed two weeks ago, but “Just Like That” you abandoned those plans.

Why Georges, “Does Your Mother Know” you’ve turned your back on her homeland?

Instead, it appears you’ll be off to Sweden and the “Another Town, Another Train” SEL.

Who knows, maybe the change of scenery will make you “As Good As New”, and perhaps “The Visitors” you oppose will understand your code better than we do.

FYI Georges: “Voulez-Vous” se battre avec moi? is said “Brist
slåss med mig” in Swedish.

I’ll be honest, “The Day Before You Came”, the Canadiens had been “Under Attack” by the bigger teams in Philly and Boston.

“Ring, Ring” went Bob Gainey for your services and upon “Arrival”, your new teammates, media and fans were “Head Over Heels”.

There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright and there was a sense of expectation hanging in the air. You would be the Habs “Super Trooper”.

But alas, it was “Disillusion” when dreamed of you protecting your teammates.

“The Name Of The Game” in hockey, notably the NHL where “The Winner Takes It All”, is teamwork, Georges.

Instead, you “Dum, Dum, Diddle”d around for a season and a half.

“On And On And On”, we winced as you didn’t do your job, either due to injury or that you plain didn’t want to do it.

You became more of a “Dancing Queen” as you looked for excuses or mislead the media with your comments.

“When All Is Said And Done”, Mr. Gainey and the team had had enough. Maybe now you realize now that you could have “Givin’ A Little Bit More.”

“Should I Laugh, Or Should I Cry?”, Well “I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO” know that it won’t be the latter because “That’s Me”

“Thank-You For the Music”, Georges and “So Long.”

10 Things Georges Laraque Can Do in His Free Time

Just me, or is there something odd with this picture?

With the Canadiens reliving Georges Laraque of his duties, the big guy might have a lot of free time on his hands.

That in mind I put together a Top-Ten list with some suggestions. Keep in mind, I’m no Letterman, nor do I make Letterman money, so keep that in mind when you read this. You get what I don’t get paid for.

The Top-Ten Things Georges Laraque Can Do in His Free Time

Heeeeere we go….

10. Work as a doorman at Chez Paree.

9. Write a book on how to score goals for the Canadiens “One in 61.”

8. Just for fun, hold the next PETA chapter meeting at a butcher shop.

7. Take lessons on fighting Cam Janssen from Carey Price.

6. Get Vince McMahon’s phone number. If Rodman can wrestle, so can I!

5. Do a beverage commercial, with scantily clad women, without thinking of the repercussions… No wait, done that!

4. Open a McDonald’s and start a new catch-phrase “Would you like tofu with that?”

3. Look up Ferguson, John to learn what a real Habs enforcer was like.

2. Yoga! Yoga! Yoga!

And the number one thing for Georges Laraque to do….

1. Debate MMA star Brock Lesnar on his recent opinions on Canadian health care, cause you know he won’t fight him….That damn code!

Habs Buy Out Laraque: Adieu Big Georges, Thanks For……

Well I was going to discuss Carey Price’s “George Jones” impression last night, after the Montreal Canadiens goaltender didn’t speak to the media after Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to St. Louis, but I found bigger fish to fry.

What a big one it was Thursday morning, when the story broke that the Canadiens heavyweight Georges Laraque from his contract.

Laraque was in his second year of a three-year, $4.5 million deal, and will be paid for the remainder of the 2009 season, when he is officially bought out. As part of the buy out, he will receive two thirds of his 2010-11 salary paid over two seasons.

Laraque was the first to respond, telling TSN that he learned of the buyout on his way to Canadiens practice via phone call from GM Bob Gainey.

Laraque called the move classless, given the emotional stress he was under with the tragedies going on in Haiti, and called out coach Jacques Martin as being behind the move.

He went on to say that Martin had not discussed any of his issues with him personally.

“Jacques Martin doesn't like me and doesn't believe in toughness,” Laraque said. “To do this in the midst of all I'm dealing with in Haiti, the timing is awful. Needless to say, I'm very disappointed.”

Both Gainey and Martin voiced their side to the story at the team’s practice facility in Brossard.

Gainey states that he “met” with the enforcer, and told him the decision was made due to lack of productivity on Laraque’s part and that he was a distraction to the team.

Trading Laraque, or putting him on waivers, was ruled out by Gainey due to a no-movement clause in his contract.

Gainey went on to define the type of player he thought he was getting when he signed Laraque, based on players he’d seen before him.

“My view of a player in that roll, and is how they can be productive, and bring confidence and a comfort level to their team. Drawing away from your team is not productive.”

He also stated that the decision to release him were made prior to the Haiti earthquakes. Laraque had claimed that he was asked by the Canadiens if he needed some time off over the situation.

Like any business, an employee who experiences a close to home tragedy, won’t be fired the next day. It’s just not classy, Georges.

Laraque visits  a donor at the Canadiens annual Blood Drive

Gainey also discussed Laraque’s infamous code when it comes to fighting.

“I don’t have a copy of George’s code, I think the code is ‘It’s your teammates that' you’re hear for’. It isn’t your code, it’s our code.”

Martin added that it was not a personal decision, but a team one.

Laraque, at a Montreal Canadiens Children’s Charities event, in 2009.

“I don't have anything personal against Georges and I appreciate what he did for the organization, but we've decided to go in a different direction," Martin said.

"It's a hockey decision.  We felt that he was not helping our team to win games. The Red Wings, I don't think they have an enforcer and they've won some Cups. It depends on your team and where you are at in your development. The game has changed and speed has become a major factor.  It's nice to have, but it's not a necessity as some teams have proven."

“I’ll never forget the support of that fans,” a calmer Laraque told the Montreal media later Thursday afternoon, after he stopped by the team’s practice facility, to say good-bye to his teammates and wish them well for the rest of the season.

“I was proud to be putting the jersey on and been given the chance to play in front of my friends and family in Montreal.”

Georges Laraque speaks to the media after being bought out by the Canadiens

“I wish I know what ‘distraction’ means”, he added. “I always had a positive attitude, and never been a negative person, or done things to embarrass the team.”

Laraque then cited his accomplishments in the community since joining the Canadiens.

There is no question that Georges Laraque’s charitable endeavors are always there. He was always available when called on for team-related events, as seen in some of the photos seen here.

George Laraque leaves the Canadiens Brossard practice facility – AP photo

Nor did we hear any associations with criminal elements, or late-night partying in Montreal on his part…

Ok yes there was that controversial beverage drink commercial, but Laraque had his name pulled from that shortly after.

The distraction was, as Gainey noted, in his lack of productivity in his element on the ice.

In two seasons with Montreal, Laraque played 61 injury riddled games and logged in 89 penalty minutes and just five points.

Now he’s no sniper, but throughout his career Laraque was always in double digits in scoring. He even admitted embarrassment that it took until last week to register his first goal with Montreal.

Georges Laraque appeared off to a positive start in the Canadiens season opener

Laraque had 13 major penalties in his two seasons in Montreal. He had 15 in 71 games with the Penguins in 2007-08, but had over 140 penalty minutes. Clearly he was more of a presence then, even in light of the instigator and third-man-in rules of today’s NHL.

Laraque tries to talk up the Bruins Milan Lucic into a round of fisticuffs in  November 2008. Lucic declined.

His refusal to drop the gloves when needed, or stir up the pot with a big hit finally wore it’s toll with Gainey and co. Sunday’s game against New York, where Josh Georges and Benoit Pouliot had to fend for themselves, was the final straw.

Laraque says he’ll be back in the NHL in due time. The question is, who’ll want him? Well,I think we might know one guy.

Remember when?: Laraque’s frustrations in Montreal stem back to February of 2009. At that time, he reportedly requested a trade in response to then Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau’s “limited use of his skills”.  Ironically Carbonneau acknowledged that a team needs to be tough at times. Laraque later retracted some of his comments.

Classy update: In an exchange of emails this afternoon/evening with CJAD’s play-by play man  Rick Moffat, I learned that Laraque told the media that he never called the Canadiens classless as reported earlier.

Habs Win 5-3 over Stars with Laraque’s “Miracle” Goal

 

The rust may have shown, but the Montreal Canadiens pulled out a 5- victory over the Dallas Stars Thursday night.

Montreal’s defense looked sleepy on several occasions and allowed the Stars to have several odd-man rushes, much to the disconcert of coach Jacques Martin.

Capitalizing one of the Canadiens’ defensive lapses, Toby Peterson moved in on a 2-on-1, beating Carey Price five-hole at 8:52 of the first period.

Brian Gionta, playing in his 500th career NHL game, got the Canadiens on the board with a power play goal four minutes later.

The Stars regained the lead, on their own power play, when Steve Ott tipped in a point shot with just under five minutes left in the period.

At the 2:51 mark of the second period, Laraque earned his first goal with the bleu-blanc-rouge on his first shot on goal of the season.

CJAD’s Murray Wilson, doing his Amazing Kreskin routine, actually called the goal just moments before it happened.

 

Georges Laraque scores his first goal as a Hab, and his first since March 2008.

Laraque’s goal could not have come at a better moment, on a personal level, as his thoughts had to be with the people of his family’s native Haiti.

“It’s hard to think about hockey when the place where your parents came from is totally destroyed,” he said.

Laraque was uncertain whether or not he would play Thursday and has been debating travelling to the devastated nation to help.

“With all that happened in Haiti, it (goal) couldn't happen at a better time. It  was really a miracle.”

Laraque dedicated his goal to the people of Haiti.

Prior to the game, there was a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Haiti earthquake, and fans brought donations to support UNICEF.

“Tonight was so special. The support from the fans and the team meant a lot to me,” Laraque added. “That’s why it’s the best thing in the world to wear the Montreal Canadiens jersey.”

Fortunately, Laraque as made contact with family members in Haiti and is happy to report that they are safe.

The goal also seemed to get the Canadiens’ momentum going.

Benoit Pouliot matched his career high mark with his seventh goal of the season at 6:44. It was Pouliot’s fifth goal in eight games since being acquired from the Minnesota Wild.

“Georges was working hard, and it finally popped through for him,” Pouliot said. “It got the crowd into it and got us going.”

Veteran Mike Modano managed to tie it up for Dallas with 5:05 to play in the second.

The Canadiens took control in the third period, with a second goal from Gionta, set up by Glen Metropolit. It was Metropolit’s 100th career assist.

Mike Cammalleri put in the insurance goal, at 16:41, with his 21st of the season, taking a stretch pass from Roman Hamrlik, and making a move that will make many a highlight reel.

Despite a slow start, Carey Price picked up the pace in the final 40 minutes, making 33 saves for the win.

The Canadiens slide up into eight place in the Eastern Conference standings and willl face their division rival Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

Three Stars: 1. Brian Gionta 2. Benoit Pouliot 3. Stephane Robidas

Photos: Montreal Gazette

Habs, NHL Rally for Haitian Aid - How We Can Help

The Montreal Canadiens announced Thursday that proceeds from both their 50/50 draws and silent auctions at the Bell Centre, over the next two home games, will be donated to UNICEF to help the relief effort in earthquake devastated Haiti.

The money raised normally goes to the Canadiens Children’s Foundation, but in the already impoverished country’s time of crisis, the Canadiens felt the money can be put to better use in this situation.

UNICEF’s target in the aid effort is the children and women, who are the most vulnerable in times of crisis. Children under 18 make up nearly 50 per cent of the 10 million population of Haiti.

Team president Pierre Boivin is recording a video, that will be played during the games, to encourage fan support.

The NHL has put in a donation of $100,000 to relief efforts, and the Canadiens are expected to make a donation announcement in the coming days and will match the fans donations.

The tragedy hits close to home for Habs enforcer Georges Laraque.

Laraque was born in Montreal, but his parents are from Haiti, and some members of his immediate family were on the island when the earthquake hit.

Laraque spoke to the Montreal Gazette about Tuesday’s earthquake that hit the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.

"It’s hard to be here and playing hockey, not knowing what’s happening and not being able to reach someone," he said. "The next couple of days, the next couple of months are going to be tough. … I’m going to be praying for not only the members of my family, but for all the Haitians that are struggling."

Laraque’s relatives are in Haiti for the winter and not having any word from them is the hardest part.

“We've been trying to reach them. We don't know what's happening,” Laraque said.

"When you sit and wait and you can't get a hold on anything, it's much harder than knowing the result. It's lingering, and anticipating that phone call is much harder."

The big winger later added how an incident such as this puts everything else into perspective.

“When you hear something like this, how can you ever complain about anything, about hockey, about criticism, when there are people battling for their lives?"

 

HOW TO HELP:

There are several other ways to donate to help the people of Haiti:

UNICEF

RED CROSS

WORLD VISION

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS

PARTNERS IN HEALTH

Rogers Wireless users can also donate via text. Just text the word HELP to 1291, and you can instantly donate $5 to Partners in Health, one of Haiti’s biggest healthcare NGOs.

Kostitsyns could learn from Patrick Marleau & Co

Despite losing the captaincy, Sharks captain Patrick Marleau continues his exceptional play; something the Kostitsyns need to learn in Montreal.

Over the summer, the San Jose Sharks made a “house cleaning” in their dressing room as a way to send the message to the rest of the team.

After another unsuccessful playoff run, captain Patrick Marleau and assistant captain Joe Thornton were removed of their respective positions. Another assistant, Mike Grier, was not re-signed by the team.

It was an effort from coach Todd McLennan to shake things up, and maybe it worked.

It appears both players have accepted the transition. There was no pouting, no failing to show up for training camp, or no whining to the press.

The duo are taking their frustrations, if any, on the ice. After six games, Marleau has five goals and an assist for the Sharks (3-2-1). Thornton, who reclaimed his "A", has a goal and nine assists.

So off to the Eastern Conference we go, where les freres Kostitsyn, Andre and Sergei, are doing quite the opposite with the Montreal Canadiens.

After last season’s media crime scandal emerged in Montreal , the Belarusian brothers struggled in 2008-09 and the situation clearly disrupted both players. Sergei was demoted to the Hamilton Bulldogs and Andrei’s point production dropped slightly and his overall play was scrutinized.

Both Kostitsyns were found to have had no criminal involvement over the summer, with the Canadiens off-season shake up and coaching changes, it was expected the new look Canadiens would benefit the remaining players or at least get out a message.

For Sergei Kostitsyn ,it has so far failed. After being in coach Jacques Martin’s doghouse in training camp, he was sent back to Hamilton. Sergei refused to report and demanded a trade. He finally reported to the Bulldogs and claims a trade arrangement has been made. He was held pointless in his only AHL game as of Friday.

As for older brother, Andrei things seem to be just as bad having just registered a single goal after five games. That goal was against Vancouver and one that Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo would have 99 percent of the time.

In Saturday’s 3-2 loss Edmonton, he made a brutal cross-ice pass in his own end that led to the winning Oilers goal. Kostitsyn did not see any ice time in the third period.

Now granted the season is in it’s infancy and things can change. There’s an edge to Marleau and Thornton with their veteran experience on handling their situation. Or perhaps, they wanted to just stay quiet and be overshadowed by their teammate’s summer performance, see Heatley, Dany.

In any event, both Kostitsyn’s have potential to perform on the ice like their San Jose counterparts. Here’s hoping they can learn to find it, and fast.

Lots of Laraque: Canadiens tough guy Georges Laraque reportedly requested to change his jersey number to 27. Laraque has worn No. 27 for most of his career but settled on No. 17 last season with the presence of Alex Kovalev. In light of Kovalev’s departure the Canadiens turned him down.

Laraque also got into some trouble over an alcohol ad he did this summer.

The internet-based ad shows the Habs enforcer playing street hockey with several scantily clad women, raising complaints from women’s groups and the NHL.

Article 25.1 of the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement states that no player can sponsor or endorse an alcoholic beverage.

The league did not comment on any disciplinary action, and Laraque has since apologized and regretted appearing in the ad. He also stated that any earnings he made went directly to an animal rights organization.

Belle tolls for Shawn: The Canadiens called up Shawn Belle form Hamilton on Tuesday, replacing the roster spot left with Yannick Weber’s cap-related demotion on Monday.

Belle will likely stay with the Canadiens through their home opener while Marc-Andre Bergeron continues his conditioning stint with the Bulldogs.

With Hamilton having three games in four days, it may benefit the free-agent blue liner to get another game or two in the AHL.

New address and monument for Habs, and more.

Former Canadiens greats, and other dignitaries admire the new Centennial Monument outside the Bell Centre. Photo – Monteal Gazette

While the 2009-10 edition of the Montreal Canadiens were practicing in Edmonton, in preparation for Saturday’s game against the Oilers, former Habs legends gathered at the Bell Centre for a special ceremony.

The City of Montreal made it official, on Friday afternoon, that a street along the location of the Bell Centre will now be known as avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal.

The renaming of the street applies only to the section of De La Gauchetière West between de la Montagne and Peel streets.

A new sign was placed on the corner of the De La Gauchetière and de la Montagne streets.

A new monument, a tribute to the 761 players who wore a Canadiens jersey for the team’s first 100 seasons,  was also unveiled at the centre of the Canadiens’ Centennial Plaza.

The the monument features Canadiens players awarded NHL individual honors during their career, the team’s annual record since the it’s first season (1909-1910) and is completed with a list of all general managers and head coaches in team history.

Pierre Boivin, President and CEO of the Club de hockey Canadien, along with Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of the City of Montreal, presided over the ceremony.

Montreal Canadiens Ambassadors Jean Béliveau, Yvan Cournoyer, Guy Lafleur and Réjean Houle were also in attendance, as were former Canadiens Elmer Lach, Dickie Moore, Phil Goyette, Don Johns, Jean-Guy Morissette and Yvon Lambert.

Lafleur was impressed to see even the single-game players honored by the Canadiens and that two of those players, Johns and Morissette, were invited to attend Friday’s ceremony.

"We always talk about the dynasties and things like that, but we're celebrating the 100th anniversary and everybody's part of it," he said.

"They proved it today by having guys here who only played one game with the team. I'm very happy about that."

A photo gallery, from the Montreal Gazette, can be found here.

A video montage of the ceremony, from canadiens.com is seen below.

 

Beliveau OK without a Habs captain: Habs Hall-of-Famer Jean Beliveau feels there is not need to hurry to find the team’s next captain.

"Since we have so many new players, give the organization a chance to know them better," Beliveau said. "There's nothing wrong starting with three alternate captains.

"Even if they have to wait until Christmas, by that time they should know. It's not only what they do on the ice, but it's also the way they face situations (that shows if ) they have the ability to wear the C."

Laraque’s new PSA for PETA: The Canadiens heavyweight has a new announcement for PETA. Warning: The content is a little graphic.

Ironic that I had a craving for a vegetarian dish before I read about this.

What’s everyone else doing??

Like the Canadiens this season, All Habs has brought some new faces to their writers to their team.

Robert at Habs Eyes on the Prize is always putting together numbers and finding new stories.

First up, he looks at the Canadiens inefficiency to rebound after a loss in which their opponents score six goals or more, a dismal 13-18-2 since 2001.

He also dug up a feature on ,YouTube, with Todd Denault, author of the upcoming biography Jacques Plante: The Man Behind the Mask.

Lions in Winter wonders if the acquisition of Marc-Andre Bergeron is the solution to the current hole in the Canadiens defense.

CJAD’s Rick Moffat talks on the comparison of a young Carey Price to a young Roberto Luongo and a recount from an ex-Hab on his own experiences after witnessing the Canadiens bag skate on Thursday.

Montreal Canadiens turn their heads and cough

 Exclusive photo obtained by Ya! The Habs Rule! of an unnamed training camp invitee at today’s team physical. – just kidding

The invitees to the Montreal Canadiens 2009-10 training camp reported to the Brassard practice facility for their physicals.

After they reported in, the players were out to talk to the media.

“I haven’t felt this good in a long time,” said team heavyweight Georges Laraque. “My back is good.”

“When I worked out this summer, I did a lot of stuff to get my back better. I lost a lot of weight (20 lbs) and did a lot of yoga.”

Coming in to camp at 245 pounds, Laraque is the lightest he’s played since becoming a pro. 

“Last year I was fit when I came in,” he said. “This is something I had to do for my  back to be better, and it worked. I still feel confident.”

He refused to comment on, former Hab enforcer, Gino Odjick’s remarks last week on his “fighting code” .

“We were in different times. He was in a time when there was no instigator rule and now the times are different.”

Laraque then looked at the revamped roster that GM Bob Gainey assembled over the summer.

“We’re not an old team,” he said. “(We have) a  lot of energy guys a lot of young guys, a lot of speed and we have a lot of size too so we’ll be able to play any style of game that any team will throw at us.”

“We were expecting those kind of things,” added center Maxim Lapierre referring to last season’s disappointments.

“With those changes, we’re pretty sure we’re going have the kind of team that’s gonna compete every night.”

Lapierre had surgery on his right ankle to shave off some bone. It’s still a bit sore, but it’s not expected to give him problems.

He joined winger Guillaume Latendresse, in Ottawa, this summer, training with the Canadiens new strength and conditioning coach Lorne Goldberg.

“We’re in great shape for the start of the season and we’ll just have to keep bringing it for 82 games,” he said.

“Everybody starts on the same level,” said Latendresse, noting the new roster and coaching changes.

He hopes his off-season work will earn him a position on one of the top forward lines this season and possibly see some power-play time as well.

“I’m just gonna try to show that that’s my spot and that’s where I want to play,” he said.

Latendresse was touted as a potential power forward when he was drafted, but that did not emerge under coach Guy Carbonneau.

He met with coach Jacques Martin last month and said it was a positive talk.

“He seems like a guy who knows where he’s going, he said. “I think he’s going to be ready. He really loves guys that are in shape.”

With only a trio of francophone players on the current roster, Latendresse joked that they will have to get some of the others to learn French and help them in the dressing room.

Newcomer Hal Gill seems happy with the leadership aspect of the team this season and is not concerned that the Canadiens do not have a captain yet.

“I think captain is overrated sometimes,” he said. “You don’t need a C on your jersey to be a leader.”

“There’s a lot of guys that are in a leadership position,” the big defenceman said. “It’s part of the way that management when out to get guys. I think they’ve done a good job at that.”

While he his impressed with the roster list put together, Gill made a very key comment on it, “It doesn’t matter what you see on paper. We have to put the rubber to the road.”

The veteran is looking forward to coming to the pressure cooker of Montreal after winning a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh last season.

“Every game is a big game and you guys,of course, remind us everyday,” he said. “It would be a real special thing to have some success here.”

Gill then talked about goalie Carey Price, and saw how former teammate Marc-Andre Fleury’s early career struggles mirrored Price last season.

“He’s got a real good head on his shoulders and obviously he’s talented. We have to let him play and let him do his thing,” he said.

“He’s getting over all this attention from the media and eventually he’s just gotta do his thing and not worry about it. He’s got a good foundation.”

“My roll is to be big in front of the net and give Carey a view of the puck.” he added. “If he can’t see it, then I have to block it for him.”

Fellow blueliner Josh Gorges noted that the arrival of the new players looks to be very promising after some impromptu skating sessions.

“It’s like they’ve been here for two or three years,” he said. “They fit right in. We’re all excited to see each other again and meet the new guys.”

“There’s a buzz within the dressing room that I didn’t feel so much last year.” he added. “You can just sense it in the room that guys want to get going and want to get playing with each other here this year.”

As with Gill, Georges feels that with the current roster, a necessity of a captain is not a key concern.

“It’s gonna be big shoes to fill, there’s no question about it,” he said on the departure of Saku Koivu.

“Everyone is somewhat of a leader in the room. They lead in their own way. A captain will get appointed, but even before you put the C on, the players know who the real leaders on the team are. We’ve a lot of guys that can step up to fill that void, fill that roll, I think there has to be a group of guys that are pushing in the same direction and buying into the same system.”

Practice sessions begin Sunday morning at 10am, with the first pre-season game on Thursday against the Florida Panthers.

To start out, the team is being split into three practice squads as follows;

Team A: Goal: Missiaen, Price; Defence: Henry, Mara, Markov, Stejskal, St. Denis, Subban; Forwards: D'Agostini, Johansson, Laraque, Lapierre, Latendresse, Lefebvre, Metropolit, Russell, Stewart, Trotter.

Team B: Goal: Halak, Mayer; Defence: Anderson, Bennett, Carle, Hamrlik, Spacek, Weber; Forwards: Cammalleri, Chipchura, Conboy, Desharnais, Fortier, Glumac, Gomez, A. Kostitsyn, Pacioretty, White.

Team C: Goal: Desjardins, Sanford; Defence: Belle, Benoit, Busto, Gill, Gorges, O'Byrne; Forwards: Darche, Gionta, S. Kostitsyn, Maxwell, Moen, Neilson, Plekanec, Pyatt, Wyman.

In Case you Missed it: Habs News and Blogger Views for Aug 20 2009

Leading off, my heart-felt condolences to the family of former Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore.

There was sad news earlier today that the Vezina and Hart Trophy winner’s two-month old son has died.

The Washington Post’s Tarik-El Bashir was one of the first to break the story.

Theodore’s sister-in-law, Veronique Cloutier, confirmed the reports this afternoon on her Montreal radio program. Causes of the infants death are unknown.

Our thought are with Jose, wife Stephanie and their, three-year-old, daughter Romy at this time.

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I came across a couple stories, from the last few days, on Canadiens enforcer Georges Laraque.

Mark Spector (Sportsnet) talked to the big guy about the new roster changes for the upcoming season. Laraque passes on some advice for the likes of newcomers Brain Gionta, Mike Cammalleri, etc.

Second was a piece from Derek van Diest (Edmonton Sun) on Laraque working out with Oilers tough-guys Zack Stortini and Steve MacIntyre.

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Jason Alexander (FlyingFrenchmen.com)  posts on OhCanadiens.com and asks, “Are they French enough?”

Topham from Lions in Winter on his contributions to The 2009 Score Sports Forecaster.

A couple days old, but well worth mentioning Dennis Kane’s talk with former Canadiens d-man Terry Harper.

HabsInsideOut.com reports that Henri “Pocket Rocket” Richard will be doing an autograph signing on Saturday in Dollard des Ormeaux.

Habs Eyes on the Prize looks at some amazing and unique feats in hockey

Who will lead them?

Well the Montreal Canadiens roster officially got trimmed by one more player.

Despite a “rally of the masses” on Sunday afternoon at the Bell Centre, Habs GM Bob Gainey told CJAD radio on Monday that Alex Kovalev would not be returning.

 Fans rallied Sunday to keep Alex Kovalev in Montreal

Hours later, Kovalev took the money ($10 million over two years) and ran up the highway to Ottawa Senators.

The Northeast Division will be fun to watch this season without a doubt.

With Kovalev’s departure and the likely signing of Saku Koivu to either Buffalo, Atlanta, Anaheim or whatever square Eklund’s rumor dart hit this afternoon, this leaves the captain and all assistant captains off to greener pastures.

Mike Komisarek defected to the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1 and Christopher Higgins was traded to the New York Rangers on June 30.

The question now has to be asked, who will be the next captain?

Andrei Markov has been an assistant captain in the past but is unlikely as a captain.

You have to remember that Koivu was criticized for not speaking French. Markov can barely speak English so it’s safe to rule him out.

The Kostitsyn brothers??? Georges Laraque ??? Forget it!

Scott Gomez seems to be an early popular choice, despite not playing one game for the Canadiens.

Sorry Mr. Gomez, but there’s too much tradition to just walk in and take the “C”.

Ditto for Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta.

All likelihood two of these three will be alternate captains.

Young bucks Josh Gorges, Maxim Lapierre and maybe Guillaume Latendresse would be a good choices as an alternate captains in my opinion, but I feel none of this trio is at a full leadership level.

Roman Hamrlik is the long-time veteran on the team, but could be moved before the start of the season.

In any event, the Canadiens have never gone without a captain in their history.

Jean Beliveau is the Canadiens’ longest serving captain

Guy Carbonneau and Chris Chelios alternated months in the 1989-90 season when the team vote was as close as the Quebec Referendum vote.

The captaincy of the Montreal Canadiens has always been voted on by the players, so ultimately it will be up to the final roster when it is set sometime in late September.

The players may elect to go a shared route in the 2009-10 season.

Either way, that individual is the go-to man by the fans and media of a team with 100 years of history, and 16 years and counting without a Stanley Cup.

Preferably I want a long standing captain like Koivu (win or lose), and not a revolving door that we saw in the mid-90’s.

But let’s not rule out the current captain just yet, shall we?

List of Montreal Canadiens Captains

Jack Laviolette           1909-10	Emile Bouchard                    1948-56
Newsy Lalonde            1910-11	Maurice Richard                   1956-60
Jack Laviolette           1911-12	Doug Harvey                        1960-61
Newsy Lalonde            1912-13	Jean Beliveau                       1961-71
Jimmy Gardner           1913-15	Henri Richard                       1971-75
Howard McNamara      1915-16	Yvan Cournoyer                    1975-79
Newsy Lalonde            1916-22	Serge Savard                       1979-81
Sprague Cleghorn        1922-25	Bob Gainey                          1981-89
Billy Coutu                  1925-26	G. Carbonneau/C. Chelios    1989-90
Sylvio Mantha             1926-32	Guy Carbonneau                   1990-94
George Hainsworth     1932-33	Kirk Muller                           1994-95
Sylvio Mantha             1933-36	Mike Keane          Apr – Dec       1995
Albert “Babe” Seibert  1936-39	Pierre Turgeon                     1995-96
Walter Buswell            1939-40	Vincent Damphousse             1996-99
Hector “Toe” Blake     1940-48	Saku Koivu                           1999-??
Bill Durnan    Jan – Apr      1948

Georges Laraque urges Canadian PM to stop the seal hunt

For those of you who have visited Habs’ tough guy Georges Laraque’s website, you are likely well aware of his devotion to PETA.

Georges Laraque at a Peta/Earthlings protest May 3 in Montreal

Yesterday Mr. Laraque appealed to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to stop the annual seal hunt.

The letter is in it’s entirety below.

Please keep in mind that the content is strictly the comments of Mr. Laraque on his and PETA’s behalf and do not express my own personal opinions.

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June 17, 2009

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper

Office of the Prime Minister

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

Blood on the ice is fine when it comes to Canada’s national sport because players are willing participants, but the blood of helpless baby seals that stains the ice each year is Canada’s shame.

I’m writing to you on behalf of my friends at PETA and its more than 2 million members and supporters around the world dedicated to the protection of animals.

With the world’s attention focused on the 2010 Winter Olympics, Canada has an opportunity to show the world its best features, including its breathtaking natural beauty, its bustling cities, and its rich culture.

However, the one thing about Canada that I’m not proud of is the annual seal slaughter. Won’t you please consider ending this tragic war on seals?

Every year, sealers kill hundreds of thousands of baby seals, and every year, our country hears the international outcry against this barbaric slaughter.

Surely you would agree that there is something terribly wrong with shooting baby seals or crushing their skulls and skinning the defenceless pups for the sake of fashion.

Hooking is illegal in the National Hockey League, but sealers routinely hook live seals in the eye or cheek to avoid damaging their fur.

Not only is the unimaginable pain and suffering endured by these seals tragic, it is also completely unnecessary. Sealing is primarily an off-season profit venture for commercial fishers, not a subsistence trade for native peoples.

Inuit seal hunting accounts for only about 3 percent of the slaughter.
The international outcry against the slaughter is loud and clear.

The U.S. banned all seal imports in 1972, the European Union recently passed a ban on the importation of seal products to member countries, the U.S. senate unanimously passed a resolution urging Canada to end the slaughter, Russia recently ended its slaughter of seals under 1 year of age, and even Vladimir Putin, who has been known to hunt bears, has condemned the seal slaughter as a bloody business that should have ended years ago.

Please count me among the majority of Canadians who oppose the seal slaughter and are hoping for a permanent ban on this, the largest and most barbaric massacre of marine mammals on Earth.
Thank you for recognizing the urgency of this issue.

Sincerely,

Georges Laraque

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