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About Kevin Mio
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Kevin Mio
About
Kevin Mio is a Montreal Gazette editor who grew up playing hockey, watching the Canadiens every chance he could on television and reading articles about the team by some of the people he works with today. He still remembers going to the Forum with his father to watch the Canadiens and was even fortunate enough to skate on Forum ice with his minor hockey team.
From Mats Naslund to Saku Koivu, he has always enjoyed watching the small, speedy and skilled players, while also admiring the gritty players that are essential to any team’s success.
From his one-on-one interviews with members of the team to a look at other coverage of the Canadiens, he will keep fans posted on their favourite team and looks forward to sharing his love of hockey with other passionate fans.
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Bob Gainey and Jacques Martin were dining at a seafood restaurant in downtown Montreal. Their conversation is as follows:
BG: I'll have the CAMMALLERI please.
JM: And I'll have anything with a GILL.
BG: Check out LARAQUE on that one.
JM: Ha Ha Ha Is this a MAXIM bar?
BG: They're all like this in the METROPOLITan area.
JM: Do any of them LATENDRESSE?
BG: Yes, and some even MOEN.
JM: That HALAK.
BG: And some are simply GORGES.
JM: What do they KOSTITSYN?
BG: She'll tell you the PRICE.
JM: Are you SPACEK?
BG: No, but I need a good PLEKANEC.
JM: GIONTA GOMEZ to D'AGOSTINI's?
BG: Is there a PACIORETTY there tonight?
JM: Yes, they're all HAMRLIKed.
BG: Oh BYRNE.
JM: MARKOV my word, if STEWART doesn't work out I'm SUBBAN him with CHIPCHURA.
BG: WEBER you like it or not, we are going to be MARAvellous this year!
haha! very nice stuff. i look forward to part 2 :P
"JM: GIONTA GOMEZ to D'AGOSTINI's?
BG: Is there a PACIORETTY there tonight?
JM: Yes, they're all HAMRLIKed.
BG: Oh BYRNE.
JM: MARKOV my word, if STEWART doesn't work out I'm SUBBAN him with CHIPCHURA.
BG: WEBER you like it or not, we are going to be MARAvellous this year!"
Genius!!
TML = Too Many Losses
Derek Sanderson Jeter ties Lou Gehrig's all-time Yankee hit record!!! This is THE FRANCHISE!!!
Any word on Robert Lang? A buddy of mine told me he heard he was invited to camp.Any truth to that?
No, and no.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Beliveau is the best that ever was.
Shout out to SmartDog, Idle, New, pic1983, Chris, Habitant in Surrey, HardHabits (hope I didn’t miss anyone). Impressively calm and rational discussion today on an often prickly topic...language. Good to see folks who sometimes don’t agree on issues work through a difficult topic with maturity. No easy answers to be sure but those are well thought out comments.
Don't want to run afoul of Boone's post police. :)
Maybe not so far from the truth Brian. Could it be that for the moment people are watching their Ps and Qs? Not ot mention their Fs, Cs, Ms, Ss, et al.
I imagine this is how a football blog is run in LYBIA OR Syria...ONE DARE NOT CROSS THE LINE!!!
Do you think there would be a blog in either country that allowed any opinion or comment that runs counter to the ruling regime's viewpoint? I imagine things will get a bit more exciting around here after the first Habs loss though. Should be interesting ;)
Considering the patterns that I have noticed in many of the posts since the announcement of the monitoring group, I can tell you that you don't need to be a Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard to figure out who they might be. :)
word
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
"Language classes tonight. Woulda chosen American but tutor ugly as hell. Came down to French or Romanian. Decided to butter my bread on proper side."
Peace Out
_____________________________________________________
Lord Bugs Potter, esq. Emir of Al-Hab Habbala, Sheikh of Sheestleton, and Apostle of the Successors of The Flannel.
Soobie, 22:18. Met this smoking hot Romanian chick at Winston's. Damn!
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
... from Brandon McIntyre - Russia: The New Land of the Free for Hockey Players ? (Do yourself a favour and give this one a read.) ..... http://brendanmcintyre.blogspot.com/2009/09/russia-new-land-of-free-for-hockey.html ..... an excerpt from the feature ..... Now, just 30 years later, a role-reversal is beginning to occur. Talent is beginning to leave North America, finding home in a league operated under a government that once drove players from their own nation to North America’s hockey league, the NHL. A new Russian-based hockey league was created in the post-Soviet Union nations in the fall of 2008, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The league has attracted some fine talent, including youngsters trying to break into the NHL as well as former stars trying to regain some of their past glory. But this is not the only caliber of player moving to Russia to play in the KHL.
... from Sports Business Journal: Trust Issue Did in Paul Kelly at NHLPA ..... (excellent article) ..... http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/63448
... from John Davidson: Great Line about the Heatley Fiasco - "For us to acquire a contract of that magnitude and give up two or three pieces of value that can rebuild a franchise — I don't think the Blues should rebuild somebody else's franchise."
Especially for a player who will just quit on your team when he doesn't get his own way.
I predict that whoever does land Heatley (unless it's Ottawa) will be making a very good decision. His value is down and despite that he's become the media whipping boy - and has hanled this situation sloppily - he's an elite athlete with massive skill and a true dedication to his craft. If he hasn't learned a little bit about being a man OFF the ice from this, the guy's not human. I think he'll go for a steal, and continue to score big goals all season long for a very happy new home.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
Murray will not trade Heatley for a "steal." He ain't that stupid. Although, he was stupid enough to sign the idiot, er, the disloyal shi..., er, the gutless bas..., er... you know what I mean, right?
__________________________________________________________________________________
Beliveau is the best that ever was.
i could not agree more...he just has not received the proper advise on damage control at least thats how it seems on the outside.
Hey, just looking around with some player stats and heres what I noticed:
Gomez + Cammy + Gio = 08/09 points: 200
09/10 salary: 18m
St. Louis + Lecavalier + Tang = 08/09 points: 205 (with tang I used his last 75+ game season)
09/10 salary: 18m
Looks pretty dang even to me.
TML = Too Many Losses
Unfortunatly you're comparing what we now have to the 29th place Tampa bay Lightning! What does that say about us?
read my response to chris. too lazy to write it again.
TML = Too Many Losses
In other words, who cares that we don't have Vinny, we can lose just as much money on Gomez!
I know, I know.... serenity now! serenity now!
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
you should change that to "who cares that we don't have vinny, we have players who are just as good already!"
TML = Too Many Losses
You have a good attitude.... what are you doing here??
Seriously, good point. Let's hope they keep the pace.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
haha nice.
But yeah, cammy should keep pace, gomez and gio should (hopefully) rever to their NJ days.
TML = Too Many Losses
Sorry camel, I am not just addressing this at you, but many have been referring to Gionta and Gomez reverting to their NJ days. Which 'days' are these? I hope everyone realizes they only had one really good year together in Jersey. Look, I am not trying to say there is no reason to hope these guys can't find their chemistry again, it's just that it has never really been that solidly established... yet.
I was looking and when they won the cup they were playing together, both over a point per game.
then gomez got traded. they both started to spiral.
just making connections.
TML = Too Many Losses
The Devils last won the cup in 2002-03. That year Gomez had 13 goals, 42 assists, 55 points. Gionta had 12 goals, 13 assists, 25 points. In the playoffs that year Gomez had 3g, 9a, 12pts in 24 games. Gionta 1g, 8a, 9pts in 24 games.
They had their big year and their only pt/g season in 2005-06. Gomez 33g, 51a, 84 pts, Gionta 48g, 41a, 89 pts. They followed that season with campaigns of Gomez 13g, 47a, 60 pts and Gionta 25g, 20 a, 45 pts.
The following summer Gomez signed as free agent with the Rangers on July 1st, he was not traded.
The point of this is to show that people are placing their faith in a history that isn't quite the way people tell it. This doesn't mean I think they won't be able to revive their games' here. I hope they do.
I really liked your orignal post above, btw.
hmmm...maybe it was them being split up that ruined the budding chemistry, assuming that chemistry is there, and it wasn't a fluke, like you said. Personally, I'm obviously hoping for the first one.
TML = Too Many Losses
We've sunk to happily comparing ourselves to a team that just won the Draft Lottery last season? ;)
Wow. no. as you should be able to tell, that's only their first line.
TML = Too Many Losses
Hehe....the tongue in cheek didn't come across. I actually think Tampa will be right there with the Habs this year if Mike Smith and Vincent Lecavalier come back healthy.
I'll even go a step further and install them as my pre-season longshot Stanley Cup contender...it will take a lot of stupidly good luck, but they certainly have some good pieces in place and a nice mix of veterans and youth.
IMO, their goalie fails. and they have no depth. I pencil them in 2 spots ahead of the leafs, thusly finishing 9th.
TML = Too Many Losses
Playing behind one of the worst teams in the NHL last season, Smith put up numbers that were better than those put up by Carey Price last year. Time will tell...he still could prove to have been more hype than anything else, but Smith has not been the reason Tampa has stumbled, and I doubt that he will be that reason this year unless he has not fully recovered from his concussion. With a much improved blue line this season, his job will become that much easier.
Hmm, I did not realize that.
So I guess it's just a wait-and-see-cause-nobody-really-knows deal like price + halak.
TML = Too Many Losses
no he's just trying to prove a point that we dont need vinny on our team to win the cup when the players we got are just as productive.
Did he ever mentioned if he was a Leafs fan before being drafted??? just wondering just like that...
----- go habs f*ckin go, AMEN !! ----
His dad lived in Montreal when he emmigrated from Jamaica. He became a Habs fan from the get-go and carried that to Toronto and PK followed suit.
___________________________________________
Ya! The Habs Rule! now on Twitter!
Born & Raised a Habs fan - in fact I remember when he was drafted he was SO happy to be a Hab & said not too long after being drafted by the Habs that he could not wait to bring the Stanley Cup back to his home town, because it would be the ONLY Stanley Cup his home town would see - lol Love this guy!
he could not wait to bring the Stanley Cup back to his home town, because it would be the ONLY Stanley Cup his home town would see
That quote alone makes me want to run out and buy a Subban jersey =)
As a resident of Toronto, I sure as hell hope his dream comes true
WOW ! r u serious ? that's cute...thanks for the info Bill!!
----- go habs f*ckin go, AMEN!!! -----
It doesn't matter. Subban is made for the market.
he actually grew up a habs fan
--- we need a kovalev
I am going to wade into the ever-fun language debate with a quick comment: just stop talking about it...players will do as they wish, organizations will teach their players as they wish....the language debate is becoming like the political debate down in the US: the fringe are taking over.
In the US, the far-left and far-right wingnuts have dominated any debate so much that what is going around as fact is preposterous...the same thing is happening to the language debate, the loonies on either side are dominating...and in both cases, the fair-minded, reasonable ones are keeping their traps shut and not putting them in their place.
The debate will never end so drop it...let things evolve NATURALLY, that way a happy medium will be obtained and all will be satisfied.
In hockey...there is one universal language: RESULTS...do you see the Caps riding Ovie hard because his English, quite frankly, stinks?
"Even Roy can be run out of town after 2 Stanley Cups."
Why do some people on the board try to censor what other people talk about?
There are so many conversations on here that I don't give a rats patooti about. Know what I do? I scroll. Or maybe I come back the next day. It's not dramatic but you know what it gives me - RESULTS! And the feeling that I'm letting other people talk about what they feel like.
---------------------------------------------------
`Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
sd...its a topic that has been beaten to death over and over and over and over and becomes really tiring.
You guys do realize that this thread is titled "Another reason to like P.K Subban" and is referring to the fact that he is taking French lessons. So we are in a thread that is about players taking French lessons and we are not supposed to talk about players taking French lessons??
Six different posters (and presumably many more readers) who replied to my longer post on the subject below disagree with you.
Give it a rest. Just leave it be.
---------------------------------------------------
`Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
i does not matter to me if they disagree...like u said give it a rest . just let it be.
There you go. The whole thing sorts itself out. (Or Dave wades in and some folks get a timeout:-)
exactly my thoughts. never ending nonesense. give it up.
people friends habsinsideout family ...... how do i get the twitter thing to work? .... on my blackberry?
anyone can offer help?
you need to go to settings and go to devices and put your mobile number, i have a iphone and have a twitter app i think its the same for blackberries im not 100% sure.
I'm still trying to figure that out too...I know that you gotta click on Settings and then Device and put your cellphone number in...but I don;t get any updates to my BB...so wth???
----- go habs f*ckin go, AMEN to the Sainte-Flanelle!! -----
hey Boone are you blogging the pre-season? i am assuming you might need a warmup as well before the season starts
--- we need a kovalev
It seems PK would like to be captain of Les Habitants one day and he doesn't want to go through what Saku had to go through...
You will always be a Canadien in my eyes, Saku
pfff!
HEY THAT MY LINE ;)
http://granades.com/images/wehastrouble/wehastrouble41.jpg
My Ovechkin story. As a photographer (specialized in hockey since 1968) I have had the opportunity to to see the game from a different angle (no pun intented). This takes me back to Cologne for a pre-tournament game of the 2004 World Cup. I was by the boards in my photo spot and Vladislav Tretiak was one of the coaches (I have known him well for a good 25 years and visited him at his home in Moscow) he recognized me and asked Ovechkin (who wasn't dressed for this particular game) to let me have his spot at the end of the bench. I ended up shooting the game from the open space at the end of the Russian bench with Ovechkin next to me for the game. I observed him and he is a genuinely friendly and very smiling person. I've got a nice shot of him from that game next to me. If anyone knows how to download a photo on these blogs I'll be happy to share it.
...have you been in Russia recently BJ ? ...and seen Alexander Avtsin play ?
...would appreciate any insight on his character and level of play
...if anywhere near Ovechkin's personality and game ...his development as a future-Hab, to me, is greatly anticipated
...would appreciate anyone in Russia keeping Us briefed during the KHL season
...disapointing He did not participate in at least the current rookie-camp ...to show Us His interest in one-day being a Hab ...if it exists
Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049
Chris,on the links posted down to the right. Try "Habs Prospects", don't know who runs it but excellent job. Keeps up to date stats throughout the year on every player Montreal owns or has rights to plus some excellent exterior links.
...thank you Frank ...just hoping We have some Russian Friends over there that may be able to paint an on-going picture for Us of His character and personality ...above and beyond His stats
...I know if He makes the big club (Moscow Dynamo) it will be a huge adjustment for Him ...and this season's stats will not give Us a dependable indication of What He Is Made of ...character-wise
...beyond his play, maybe also hints whether Moscow Dynamo may be successfully influencing Alexander to stay in Russia (KHL) ...would be a continuing point of interest to Me
...Russian KHL fans Whom also are Hab Fans I hope can keep Us up-to-speed
...нашим российских друзей, я говорю просьба и благодарю Вас
Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049
At that site check out in Links "Russian Prospects", first story down, click on his name and it will lead you into several articles and local blogs talking about him. English and Russian.
He plays the equivalent of Junior Hockey in Russia, so lets not get too excited until we see some KHL action. Also, he's a kid, and he probably doesnt speak any english. I can't imagine its worth coming here all the way from russia, and leaving his existing club team, to attend rookie camp this year.
Hello Habitant in Surrey,
No I haven't been to Russia recently. I will ask one of our correspondents over there to send me some info as the season progresses.
...thank you BJ
Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049
Great story. Would love to see that shot. Go to flickr.com photo sharing site. The very best way to show photos. As a photographer, you'll love it.
http://www.flickr.com
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
Is the spelling on this site correct? It says "adress not found"? Send me an email and I'll send you a low res. maybe you can post it? bruce@ihahockey.com
Off topic from the ever-exciting language debate:
Anyone know the training camp schedule yet? What time are the players on the ice on Saturday? And on Sunday?
Idle, Punkster,
I'm going to carry our conversation about FRENCH over to here since it's now a page back.
I still say if I were GM I would MANDATE a little French for all players (and English if needed). Not a lot - a handful of words and key phrases related to hockey and very basic communication. Just so they have a small anchor in the language and also to show this is part of the team's culture.
I would also provide an excellent (and free) language education service to the families of all players - so the wives and children can have access to great French and English language education.
It's not about FORCING people to do it, it's about making it an element in team culture. And it should be.
And believe me I have problems with the language issue as it is sometimes applied, don't get me started. BUt I think this is just smart from all perspectives. It will help make the players and their families more comfortable in Montreal especially - and that is what every GM wants. That the players want to stay.
I am repeating myself in part, but I am saying this beyond your objections of players not being here too long etc. I'm not saying I'd make them fluid - quite the opposite - I'd just ensure they have a little of the language... a handle. You can pick that up in a matter of 10 hours or so. Especially the younger guys or guys who already know 2 languages.
And my own French is brutal. But I use it often to get by and I am very happy that I can. It makes being in Quebec MUCH nicer. MUCH MUCH nicer.
---------------------------------------------------
`Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
I think hockey is a business. When you get real good at it real young some team gets your rights. That is where you can go to work. Like Mario Lemieux for instance. Half the time you are travelling, and playing in assorted cities. A third of the time you are on vacation and training off-season. One city is like any other. At age 26 (or there abouts) you get a chance to select where your agent wants you to go, almost.
You need something to tie you to a community other than you are 'incorporated' there. Learning another language is one way. You just need a reason to do that. Hockey, where english is the language, doesn't really do that for you. Guys like Subban and Gomez, who are taking the extra step, should be applauded. I think it is much easier with a woman to motivate you, but that is just me.
I don't think you can force it on the players, and you shouldnt have to. Someone who plans on playing here for a long time, and wants to play in montreal, should take it upon himself, as Gomez and Subban have, to learn some french. Its not about making the french media happy, its about showing the many francophone fans that you respect and appreciate their culture. Its the effort that counts. Im sure the Montreal Canadiens Organization would accomodate any one of their players who has a desire to learn french. Like Ive always said, they dont have to be fluent, but at least capable of spitting out a few sentences.
Thats where I stand on the issue. As an anglophone, how upset are you when you walk into a store and the clerk doesn't even try to speak english, and doesn't seem to care that he can't? I know it makes me upset. However, when I get a francophone who recognizes me as the customer, and makes an effort to speak to me in english, I will usually appreciate the effort and speak back in french because I am capable.
I agree with much of what you say, but at the end of the day, many of these guys are drafted to these teams. If teams want to introduce extra off-ice stuff into the equation based on heritage and culture, they should also give up their rights to force players, many of whom perhaps don't have the time or inclination to subscribe to these extra tasks that are unrelated to their on-ice performance, to work for their franchises through the existence of the entry draft.
If I'm Andrei Kostitsyn, Andrei Markov or Saku Koivu, my first job upon being drafted in the NHL is to master the language in which I must work. That is English, even in Quebec. Anything after that is a luxury. To properly learn a language often requires that you immerse youself in it. Put yourself in Saku Koivu's shoes: you are raising a family in Montreal, fully knowing that you will almost certainly be moving back to Finland in the summers and after your career. Is it not more important to create an atmosphere for your children to learn Finnish, the language that they will require in life, in your limited spare time as opposed to working on your own French, which would only be a goodwill gesture to a group of people with whom your interactions may be short-lived? Should Chris Higgins have been "encouraged" or "pressured" to learn French, an effort that now looks like it would have been wasted time after the way he was dumped by the franchise?
I have no real opinions on whether Koivu should have learned French or not...I was enrolled (by choice) in French Immersion as a child, and I have taken German courses in university. But I enjoyed learning languages. I've just always found it a bit funny that nobody has ever raised the side issues about guys like Koivu, Kostitsyn or Plekanec having to work hard on the side to preserve their own languages and cultures in an environment that is probably very foreign and strange to them. All they ever seem to get is criticism for not doing more, learning more. It's a tough crowd, sometimes. :)
...the French 'character' of the Montreal Canadiens is synonymous to Its 'soul' ...and WHAT makes It unique of any other NHL team ...Anyone forgetting this really is out-of-touch
...THAT being said ...it would not be wise of Management to 'force' learning French down an individual Player's throat ...Management should 'encourage' by, say, making French lessons a free 'bonus' for all non-Francophone Players ...whether in Berlitz or Rosetta Stone formats...and explaining it's importance and significance
...Those Players with common-sense, initiative and respect for Our over-whelming majority of Fans WILL take advantage of the opportunity ...as per the examples of Gainey, Robinson and many other of Our former great and not-so-great Players
...the 'pay-off' is obvious ...many of Those non-francophone Players became almost as beloved as Their Own Francophones
...those Whom ignore or did not make any attempt at 'the opportunity' ...will likely be remembered as 'carpetbaggers' ...or remembered with indifference ...relative to Those that 'reached-out'
...there are Those that argue the Players just want to play ...and not have to worry about language issues ...certainly that is valid ...yet if They think about it intelligently, they should acknowledge that It is Those millions of French-Canadian Hab Fans that is The Source of Their million dollar cheques in Their bank accounts
...it should always come down to the individuals personal choice ...but if He is intelligent ...and proud of the CH ...I would spend those empty hours in the airport and hotels with my head-set on mouthing repeatedly ...until I get it right ...'vous voulez aller se coucher avec moi ce soir ?' ...or variations on the theme
Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049
>Should Chris Higgins have been "encouraged" or "pressured" to learn French, an effort that now looks like it >would have been wasted time
Chris, I've never heard anyone refer to learning a language as 'wasted time'.
Language is part of hockey in Quebec. These guys do interviews - why? Because it's part of the business of hockey. They go to charity events, sign autographs - why? Becuase it's part of the business of hockey.
The idea that the team has to be hands-off of the players lives and time is bull. The team influences the players activities in a great number of ways that benefit the team, the community, the business, and the franchise. That language is a hot potato is the reason I would guess the habs officially don't do much with it. I think it's just as ridiculous for the franchise to ignore French as an issue (and the many BENEFITS of learning French - even for someone who leaves) as it is to say the Captain HAS to be French. One thing's for sure - learning a new language is never a waste of time. And you can learn a handful of core phrases in about the time it takes to go to a golf tournament, or a Christian summer camp. We're not talking about a big commitment in time - or even in effort. I would be ashamed to play for the Habs and not be able to at least greet someone in French, or say a few phrases. I think most people would. The franchise should LEAD and not avoid this issue. For a small effort, a big reward.
---------------------------------------------------
`Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
I've heard many, many people talk about learning a language as a waste of their time. I disagree vehemently, but the attitude absolutely exists...go to any small, rural Ontario community and ask the high school kids whether they would take French if they didn't have to. I guaranteed that the majority would answer no. We have heard for years that one of the issues with Montreal as a FA destination is that some players and their families are uncomfortable with the language situation.
Interviews are the business of hockey, but let me turn it around...why does RDS choose to interview a player in English and then translate it? Because it is the business of the media to get the information from the players to the fans, not the responsibility of the players. Some players will make that effort and will correspondingly receive a benefit in their maketability. There is already a reward system in place for the players to work on their French. That choice to forego the potential rewards is completely the prerogative of the individual player and the team should have no say in it.
You're arguing this from the perspective of somebody with a fair amount of education and in the marketing business. In your world, learning a second language could not possibly be a waste of time. Some of the junior players that don't make it end up doing very mundane jobs and would never see the purpose of learning a second language as it quite frankly is i) not an interest and ii) unlikely to ever be useful in their day-to-day lives. And the kicker is that they would probably be right...you can get by perfectly well in a lot of the world knowing only a single language, especially if that language is English. That is as true for your average hockey player as it is for your average worker in the "real" world.
Very well said Chris.
Because speaking French, or at least trying to, and doing so poorly is viewed more favourably than not speaking French at all whether you are able to or not. Ask Bob Gainey and Larry Robinson.
Absolutely, they would be viewed more favourably, and rightfully so.
But there is no set path to being looked upon favourably. Some players will learn to speak French. Some will start a foundation and sink a lot of their efforts into fundraising and outreach. Some players will let their play on the ice do all their talking for them. Some guys will stick around all summer, while others will go back to their own communities and give back to the people that helped them climb the mountain. Some players will record DVD's and donate the profits to charity.
Some players will take all the time in the world to sign autographs for young fans. Some will respond to all their own fan-mail personally. Some will sponsor sick kids attending Habs games.
I don't require that every player do all these things, as there simply isn't enough time in their days. I choose a simpler criteria: based on the limited information I have, is a particular player a good and decent human being that gives back to their community?
Saku Koivu and Alex Kovalev, for example, have both shown me that they are good and decent human beings in general, so I refuse to criticize them if they didn't meet the bar in some areas when they were sailing far beyond what one could reasonably expect of them in others. Time will tell if the new guys can fill the very large shoes that those guys left behind. Showing up a couple of weeks early for training camp and talking about taking French lessons are great. But let's not diminish the wonderful community work that was done by their predecessors.
It's different when you are talking about the GM or the coach vs the players. The GM figurehead of the business and the coach is the main liason for the team. These people need to be able to communicate the operations of the team. Players are simply hired workers, like it or not.
I didn't say it was necessary I said it was favourable.
man i love ovechkin: "Nobody can say to me you can't play for your country in the Olympic Games,... If somebody says to me you can't play, see ya."
goes to show how these sportsmen truly love the game and love to compete.
guys like bettman and burke would never understand that. for them hockey is just business and not a passion.
i hope canadians do the same and go play in the olympics in 2014 (because nothing is better then Russia vs Canada hockey... unless Canada wins ;) ). but forsure poster boy crosby would never disobey the rules and make big Gary mad.
--- we need a kovalev
i like your point on the business/passion. i mean i've always known it's true but i never saw it expressed so straightforwardly!
Ex nihilo nihil fit
Good post except for the Crosby-bashing part.
It's great that Ovie talks this way - the guy's a bundle of passion. But let's see Ovie ACTUALLY walk away from his NHL contract to play for Russia before you starting putting down Crosby (or anyone else).
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
You think the NHL would risk trying to lose Ovechkin to the KHL? From a business standpoint, ABSOLUTELY not, The NHL (Betsie) would be crazy to do that. They'd give him a suspension, it probably would/could get messy but i dont see Bettman risk losing his cash cow...Top it off the guy has huge passion for his country and his sport, his mother was an olympic winner which im sure means, the olympics to his family/country is probably the biggest reward he can ever get...
"I went to see a fight the other night...And A hockey game broke out!" ~Rodney Dangerfield~
Ovechkin's the man! There is not a single player in the NHL that can match ovechkin's passion. If Ovechkin says he's going to do it, I have no reason to doubt him.
...and Crosby bashing is always in season!