Log in & Sign up
You are not logged in.
About Mike Boone
Full Name
Mike Boone
Web site
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/columnists/mike_boone.html
About
I grew up in Park Extension, within walking distance of Dickie Moore's Dairy Queen on Jean Talon. Moore had a place on L'Acadie Blvd., and we used to see him driving around in his convertible with a Samoyed and a very dishy wife.
While "studying" at McGill University during the 1960s, I used to attend games at the old Montreal Forum. My fellow undergraduate reprobates and I would scramble up the stairs to get centre-ice spots in the top standing room section, where aged ushers didn't know or care what we were smoking.
I stood out in the cold for six hours to get tickets to the 1975 New Year's Eve game between the Canadiens and Central Red Army. With the exception of the birth of my daughter, the 3-3 tie was the greatest event I've ever seen in my life.
The Canada-U.S. Gold medal game comes close .... but I wasn't there.
I've been a professional journalist since 1974, when I joined the Montreal Star sports department. I've covered the 1976 Olympic Games, the 1979 Expos, pop music and MSO tours of Europe and Asia (classical musicians are WAY more fun to drink with than athletes). I wrote a TV & Radio column for 20 years and, since 2000, have written a City column for The Gazette.
The best part of being a Habs Inside/Out contributor is attending games at the Bell Centre. I think it's a great building: noisy, raucous and packed to the rafters with Montrealers and visitors who live for hockey.
And I still get goosebumps every time Michel Lacroix booms out "Accueillons nos Canadiens ..."
Having seen the Boston Red Sox win two World Series and the Pittsburgh Steelers add a couple Super Bowl titles, I suppose I can die happy ... but not before another Stanley Cup parade. And I'd really like my daughter to see a historic New Year's Eve game.
I like all the players. Covering baseball gives me a profound appreciation of pro athletes who aren't jerks.
My weltanschauung was summarized by the late great Bill Hicks when he said "all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream and we are the imagination of ourselves."
Have a nice day.
Boone's Online Eeee-mail
Share the agony and ecstasy of Habs fandom and read live blogs from every game with Gazette columnist Mike Boone.
The Puckcast
Weekly commentary and inside info about the Canadiens straight from the Gazette's experts.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Follow Habs Inside/Out on Twitter, featuring live updates from Gazette feature writer Dave Stubbs.The Other Wing
The Other Wing features regular Habs commentary by some bloggers we like.
The Rules
Habs Inside/Out encourages lively debate, but there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding racism, profanity and behaviour that we deem to be offensive. We will, without warning, ban those who do not abide by this simple rule, so as to maximize the enjoyment of readers and participants of both sexes and all ages.
Habs Inside/Out main RSS feed
Mike Boone's RSS feed
PuckCast RSS feed
Other Wing RSS feed
Site concept and design by User Generation
Most Commented
Most commented posts from the last 7 days:
Resources
Player info: League info:
Habs Inside/Out: Absolutely everything about the Montreal Canadiens
For editorial inquiries, contact Gazette sports editor Stu Cowan (scowan@thegazette.canwest.com).
For advertising inquiries, please contact your Gazette sales representative (gazadv@thegazette.canwest.com).
©2008 The Gazette, a division of Canwest Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Statement
Cmon Chelly !
Bring him back at leat to Smack Gui, MAX, and MAB around.
He can take Price out on the town and show him how to get his cahones back !
2 Tickets available for Calgary Game on November 10, 2009,
CENTRE ICE WHITES SECTION 336 ROW EE, AISLE SEATS 1,2
Due to a family emergency my friend and I from Toronto are not able to attend this game and we would like to sell these tickets. The price is negotiable.
Please contact me at sanshilevich@sympatico.ca or if you are in Toronto at 416-704-0592
Thanks
Sam
Chelios!! What is going on here? Gainey has truly lost his mind...this better be a rumour all i got to say.
go habs go!
Team 990 reports Bob Gainey was spotted at the most recent Battle of the Blades taping. When asked why, Bob is reported to have said he is scouting for a possible top six forward for his hockey team.
Christine Hough was later seen in deep discussion with Mr. Gainey.
I think the turning point for Price last night was the first goal, which shows how rattled the guy is. It looked like he was, and I think rightly so, focusing on following the puck out to the higher slot, it hit the skate and beat him because he had moved past the angle the puck was re-directed at. He'd stood on his head to that point, then got beat by a bad bounce, which was also the focus of his angry rant after the Chicago game.
I think he thinks he's got no luck and that he's got to do everything on his own, so he's almost too focused, and reacts too aggressively to every shot/pass/re-direct. He never seems to use his size or butterfly style to just fill up the net on deflections or re-directs, he's always trying to move to make those stops, which causes him to be out of position or in mid movement when the puck gets to him, and seemingly in too many cases by him.
Sooooooooo if White or Pyatt dont happen to have a good game orrrr cause a goal against orrr doesn't end up scoring ATLEAST 2 goals in there first game up, can we all agree there a bunch of AHLer's for life and save us all the trouble of hearing it in the game blog by "In The Moment" Hab Fans lol lets see how they do and not raise our expectations too high...
"I went to see a fight the other night...And A hockey game broke out!" ~Rodney Dangerfield~
What is the deal with bashing on Carle after one game guys?
I don't remember reading bad stuff on Weber after 1 game. He was as bad/good as Carle.
--------
We have a new team!
Mike Komisarek: (-2)-0-(-2)
Gainey Haters bandwagon ---> This way
I thought Carle played okay (the part I saw). And I think he finished the night at +1 (better than many).
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
Just watched the replay of that goal going through Price's pad. Price was holding the stick straight down on his side. He should turn the stick and cover the 5 hole.
Hi all - heading to Montreal to watch the Bruins game at a bar tomorrow, then watch the dogs take on the Sens and then go to the Habs-Lightning game on Saturday. wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good place to watch watch the Bruins-Habs game tomorrow nite?
cage au sport
Is it you, Marc Andre Bergeron?
I recommend press box.
Or a kitchen, if you're another Euro Hab and u don't wanna wake up the rest of the house. Don't forget to use the headphones.
No Sergei?
Talk about being in the proverbial doghouse.
---Chorske's Rule #1: as the Habs' lead in any given game increases, the probability of a HIO poster predicting an imminent Stanley Cup championship approaches one.
Bring Sergi back .... and while Gainey is at it ... cut the useless,talentless, all code no action BGL loose !!! Hard to figure why we'd keep him around ... he done the same thing last year .... we must have money to burn..
Pyatt/White .... Gainey must be showcasing..... something is brewing ..
So does it mean that Moen, Strewart or/and Metro sit?
Metro won't sit. One of the better playing guys on the team right now.
MrB
Stewart for sure. I'd say Chipchura would be the other man out... or Lats?
No way Moen sits. Especially against Boston.
_______________________________
Not sure which Gainey bandwagon I'm on right now.
Pyatt and White are 2 centres ... so if they are dressing for the Bruins game ......who isn't ?????/ Lats ??
Bring back Dandy !!!!!!!!
"CKAC reports Bob Gainey has talked to Chris Chelios."
Bobo has lost his mind.
Maybe as a defensive coach, hopefully...
i don't know, maybe Bob needs a new Habs' alumni president...
If Chelios refused, Bob would dress himself and Carbo, then rent Roy for rest of the season.
This video says it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TglklO-YMZY
OK; Now here my rant...we definitly don,t need old Cheli on defence...we need to play Hammer,Josh G,Spacec,Mara more and limit Bergeron to 10 min/game plus power play,also rotate rookies in and out of lineup..and pray for a quick Markov recovery... This Defence is going to be the death of our playoffs..Keep Gill off the ice he sucks so does Bergeron. Now as far as offence goes our big three Gomez,Gionta.Cammy are a definate upgrade from last year and Plecs is playing great...now we just need 2or3 players to step up o
n point production.....and we ain,t gettingany from---------------Latts,laps,and definitly not from Kost. WHAT WE NEED IS A TRADE FOR STOP GAP REASONS....don,t worry about the future Bob has already decided to go the way of free agent signing rather than drafts...and he may be right givin the collective barganing agreemnt
What ever it takes to spark this team They got A+ coaching....average goalies(won,t steal any games) a defence thats missing 2 good +/- players...and we know were getting one of the best back in just a month or two......The big killer is on offence...we have one line that can do it...and in the NHL these days its so easy to shut down just one line ..especialy when we are on the road...We must somehow get at least more more set up man to play with Plecs or however the lines would work...AK has let us down ..and it looks like he,s not comming around any time soon.... Maybe Shanahan ..now that might work.
Tell me if i,m wrong
We might as well get the Lecavalier rumors again. All these forwards being called up to Montreal sure seems that something might be brewing. We do play Tampa Saturday, so we can keep Lecavalier here and send a package of forwards to T.B. Everyone cross your fingers! LOL
Lecavalier, that useless bag of pucks. Everyone on here now is complaining about how overpaid Gomez is. Just take another look in the mirror and get an exact duplicate maybe even worse than Gomez. Lecavalier, only makes 10 million per season to get 63 points. There's the bag for our buck and the spark we needed. On reason nobody would probably bitch about him is because of where he is from. As far aa I'm concerned he can come from Japan and play as long as he can contribute to the team winning games. This whole French issue is a waste of breathe and energy to even debate.
Why O why would we want Lecavalier here, just look at what he has done so far. 2 goals, now after saying that he may come here Saurday and score 3 or 4. If that's the only thing that can motivate him to play better is when he comes to Montreal, then he is not much of a player. I am almost willing to bet he won't even make the Team Canada squad for the Olympics in Vancouver. St.louis has a better chance.
Leave Lecavalier where he is too and let Tampa Bay dish out those millions for 63 points. Here we are saying if Gomez doesn't get 80-90 points he is not worth the 7+ million he is getting. Yet if Lecavalier got 60-70 points it would be okay. Must be because I am french so it's okay.
u said he is motivated when he comes to Montreal and might score 3 or 4 goals. So if we get him and he averages 3 goals per game in Montreal, he should score approx. 123 goals per year! What a bargain for $10 000 000!!!!
i would have preferred neilson and pyatt - we are going into boston, after all. white is probably a more senseible choice (sigh) tho i wish belle had been brought back.
how many guys are left in Hamilton? 7?
i may be in the minority but i'd rather have chelly in there than MAB, weber, carle, at least for short term. now maybe bobby smith could fill that big center role...
White's been fighting more than Neilson actually... And he's one of Chipper's linemates down on the farm.
Ok, I realize SK has been a bad little Hab. But Bob? Pyatt and White? Really, Bob? Do you think we need some secondary scoring and SK might give immediate help?
As for the Chelios rumors, even I can't believe Bob is that desperate. We already have the two geezers anchoring our defense corps, I don't think we need the 1000 year old man added to it.
Pyatt may develop as a player, given a chance. He showed energy, work ethic and skill at training camp, and seemed close to having the team made. SK was already stomping his feet and blowing snot by then. He's a ten goal scorer. Why upset your team chemisty for an unsuccessful Pierre Dagenais wannabe?
Ryan White did out-shine Maxwell currently. He is more dynamic and forecheck very well. He is reliable. Tommy Pyatt is a fast skater and has a quick release. He can play the wing. I like the call-up. It could excite the farm team to try harder.
... Team 990 Montreal is confirming that Pyatt and White will dress in Boston Thursday night. Bulldogs play Binghampton at the Bell Center Friday night.
and then here in Ottawa on Sunday
got my tickets :o)
Once a Habs fan, always a Habs fan
Chelios being wooed by Bobby to come to Montreal?
We don;t need one of the original s**t disturbers or rat packs coming back to play in Montreal and cause cancer again.
Bobby, you are losing it, "desperate times come desperate measures" as they say.
"We will win the Cup one day only with a mature Carey Price in the nets"
RM, can you not think of a better argument to not bring in Chelios? Do you not think a 40 year old NHLer just may have matured a little bit since he cut his professional teeth in Montreal? Do you think Chelios was a problem in the room with Detroit while they were winning Cups? If you want to rip this idea (Gainey talking to Chelios) then at least come up with something better than your statement. There are good reasons not to do this move, but your reason is a complete joke! C'mon Mikey, you're better than that. Aren't you?
Wer're supposed to talk or chase after young talent, not old goats for pete's sake!
Chelios is 47 years old! Why don't we bring Mats Naslund back? How about Larry Robinson? Better yet, let's try to bring back Serge Savard back, eh? Quick Bobby phone these guys!
"We will win the Cup one day only with a mature Carey Price in the nets"
so you are basing your judgment of Gainey based on a rumor about a convesation that might have taken place?
--- we need a kovalev
Kovalev [ka-va-leov]: A player who makes you jump out of your seat with a wicked deke or a sick shot and makes you say: "Did you see that!!"
The Habs are becoming the fat broad at the bar on Friday night. She'll go home with anyone!
Damn it, I thought I was special.
Sorry but Chelios is too old and we need to move forward with what we have.
____________________________________
Why don't we have a captain ?
Say...is Gordie Howe doing anything this year?
Gui would still be slower than him
____________________________________
Why don't we have a captain ?
Where is Gaston Gingras? I read he runs clinics and plays for the old-timers. We could sign him and pair him with Chelios.
Richer is on Battle of the Blades.
Elmer Lach's #16 jersey should join the Rocket's #9 in the rafters.
Gaston Gingras? All I have to say is "DUCK!"
It would be nice to see the team play a man to man defense system instead of team to puck carrier one.
Pyatt, AK46 and White...an interesting "fourth line"....potentially...
"Even Roy can be run out of town after 2 Stanley Cups."
Anyone else think that our buddy SergeK's days as a hab are over? *sigh* Come to think about it, he did paly REALLY well with Pat Kane. But the only problem about dealing is the salary cap. If take a hit, they have to be able to do that too and with Hossa coming back that don't have much room to manoeuvre.
And everyone say a prayer tonight that Gio is not injured! (Fingers crossed)
TOM PYATT????? BRING UP SK47 WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY WAITING FOR
They're waiting for SK to grow up, and delivering a firm message to a spoiled brat. You'd bring him up and encourage his tantrums? He'll always be an @sshole, but maybe some time to think will make him a more adult version.
non, merci. he demanded a trade, now he can wait for it. let him work his a-- off and blow the lights out for a month or so in steeltown, then think about it.
Hairline fracture?? This isn't something to be too "it's alright" about. Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets also had/has a hairline fracture and went through surgery in the preseason to regain form and is reportedly out for the year.
Hope Gill's case isn't as severe as Yao's.
Sounds like a puck off the foot. I thought Martin said that wasn't his problem.
--------------------------------------------------- `Could this team miss the playoffs? Who knows?' - Bob Gainey on the new Habs.
yeah but the constant jumping (or I guess the landing more so) in basketball makes foot and knee injuries all the more serious.
it could be a different bone. also, different sports athletes may take longer for the same injury. i'm sure some if it depends on the sport you play.
Nahlsy, look! http://www.tsn.ca/chl/story/?id=297187
Go Habs Go!
You know what bad news I'm thinking?
Gio is injured. They call up two centers the day Gio takes a therapy day?
Gionta? isn't he a left winger? Opps you already answered that below
Tom Pyatt is a left winger also, Ryan White is the Centerman.
he DID get hit on the foot yesterday.... *pales*
Go Habs Go!
I know he's not a center. I'm just saying...forwards...
I would bet its for Stewy who didn't look all that good. and Chipper, and having D'Ago with PCS til next week. Maybe even a move to Sit AK. They maybe looking for a spark to jump start the squad. Nothing like some hungry young-ins to add a little competition.
The Habs should send Stewart back down, He has only played like 2 or 3 games and having him in the press box is doing no one any good.
Concering that situation in Calgary with H1N1 vaccinations, the head cheese involved was sacked
http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/cbc-article.aspx?cp-documentid=225076...
TOM PYATT AND RYAN WHITE have been called up...can either of them play D? (No, both centers) Who sits? But I'm sure glad to see Pyatt get called up! I have a feeling he can be the spark we need. (This hasn't been reported by RDS or the Habs official website but was tweeted by Dave who retweeted All_Habs.)
"All you need in hockey is good character, luck and skills" - Ovie
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, send Pyatt back down!!!
I want to see him play on Sunday against the baby Sens.
Once a Habs fan, always a Habs fan
Huh? I know Dags is out but why two forwards? I thought our D was the biggest issue at the moment. Only thing I can think of is that JM wants to put pressure on our 2nd line to produce. Same strategy as with the goalies right now, you win, you play. Lose and changes are made.
So who else sits besides Stewart? Very interested to see how this plays out, but really wanted Belle to come back.
EDIT: Anybody think this might be an indication that someone is on their way out of town?
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/285536.html
they just put it up i predict the next headline is gonna be about sergie leaving the team again.
This is correct. White and Pyatt are the two best forwards currently in the BullDogs team. But Carle is not the best Dmen.
I understand Tom Pyatt being called up, but Ryan White? Is there an injury we don't know about?
Either way, I'm excited to see Pyatt play. I loved him in the preseason.
My thinking into all these call ups lately, is to see what players can contribute to the big club. They also want to see maybe who they got and what type of package deal they can set up in making some sort of trade. SK74 is not coming back up. I guess with Bob being in discussions with Guy and the other coaches and their scouts on SK74 playing and attitude, I guess he is just not cutting the mustard and until he shapes up he will stay there or until Bob gets someone back in a trade that is fair for him to ship off.
I guess , I guess, I guess , Iguess. - How about one more I guess
mjames
Is that your reply, I guess it is,lol
Never seen White play... think he's a center... not sure of his two way ability...
get Dandy back
Shows how much SK74 is worth to the team.
I must say... i hope they mean defencive play as in every one takes a man in our own zone. No more slam dunk goals.. guys left alone. TAKE A MAN!
In all seriousness, as bad as Brisebois was/is, he's better than Bergeron, Carle, and Chelios.
what about dandenault?
he could help us..somewhat..
I dont know what Gainey had against him, seems like the ideal 7th defensemen, plus he can go forward in case of a rash of injuries.
he would be an issue in the dressing room since the terms he left on werent great
Story there? what terms?
Only one team in the entire league has more losses then us
"Long before I ever wore the jersey, I wore the jersey.” Dryden
Just heard Steve Begin on the radio (Les amateurs de sports) and the host had an interesting question before the break.
Chipchura or Begin on the 4th line?
I have to say... i miss Begin a lot. Always loved the guy.
--------
We have a new team!
Mike Komisarek: (-2)-0-(-2)
Gainey Haters bandwagon ---> This way
1 thing for sure. The crowd will never love Chipchura like they loved Begin.
--------
We have a new team!
Mike Komisarek: (-2)-0-(-2)
Gainey Haters bandwagon ---> This way
I prefer Chipchura seeing as how he doesn't take stupid penalties, or lay out big hits that put him out of position causing two on one breaks the other way. I don't miss Begin at all, in fact I was extremely happy when he was traded, one of the players I've never liked that was on this team.
__________________________________________
http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/
Begin was good in the first minute of game one of a playoff round, and that's about it. He could roar out of the gates, hit anything that moved, and get the crowd into it better than anyone I've seen in a long time. But, he was brutal for the other 59 minutes - or 9 or 10 minutes he was on the ice.
That's so true haha. That's exactly what my memory of Begin is.
__________________________________________
http://berkshireonthehabs.blogspot.com/
same here... too many bone headed plays and making a hit just for the sake of it, wether it was benefical for the team or not.
--- we need a kovalev
Kovalev [ka-va-leov]: A player who makes you jump out of your seat with a wicked deke or a sick shot and makes you say: "Did you see that!!"