Audio: Roadrunner high on Habs chances

posted by Dave Stubbs at 14h37 EST on Sep 16


yvan.jpg

Yvan Cournoyer, one of the all-time Canadiens greats, at his Bell Centre sweater retirement ceremony on Nov. 12, 2005. André Ringuette, NHLI via Getty Images

Here's one of the things that's truly remarkable about covering the Montreal Canadiens:

You're sitting a short distance from the Canadiens' Bell Centre dressing room during the club's rookie camp, waiting to chat with goaltending coach Rollie Melanson, and the next thing you know, a legend like Yvan Cournoyer strolls past and happily stops to chat.

The Roadrunner, winner of 10 Stanley Cups with the Canadiens, was in the building to attend a news conference announcing the production of a film being shot in and around the arena to celebrate the club's 100th anniversary.

Here's more on the film from Gazette Entertainment reporter Brendan Kelly, who attended the news conference.

Cournoyer, who knows a thing or two about good Habs teams, likes what he sees from the Canadiens heading into this season.

Give Yvan a listen – the interview is about 6 1/2 minutes long – and get ready for his playfully delicious comment about the Toronto Maple Leafs.




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DD's picture
Submitted by DD on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 18:55.
Thanks Dave. Great interview. The shot at the leafs only confirms to me why I've always considered Yvan my favourite Hab. I remember an interview he did about the 72 series years ago. He was talking about the Russians and he ended the interview with the line "I always hated those guys, anyways."

Les-Habitants's picture
Submitted by Les-Habitants on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 17:07.
Great audio, thanks Dave!

Ian G Cobb's picture
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 17:03.
He was not the biggest, but he was the fastest, and he had a pair of shoulders as wide as he was tall. He had the best balance on his pegs in the league. Some of the largest men in the league would try to cream him on the boards, but it was them that went down and Yvon would still have the puck. Yvon was a great part of our history. And he knows, that this 2008 club is going to make a large noise in this league this year.!

RetroMikey's picture
Submitted by RetroMikey on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 17:06.
Tabernac!!!! What about the Habs fans outside of Quebec?? I hope the directors will have subtitles if it is shown in theatres nationwide. Why shown this film only in the province of Quebec on December 4, 2009? Anybody remember the 1975 film, The Mystery of the Million Dollar Hockey Puck movie featuring the Montreal Canadiens? Such a funny low budget movie made back then. b>"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"

Shiloh's picture
Submitted by Shiloh on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 16:25.
I loved *** Duff when I was a kid so I guess I cheered for the Leafs in the late 1950's. Then one Saturday when I was about 12 I saw Cournoyer - and that changed everything. A couple of years later we acquired Duff as well. I saw Yvan play in Winnipeg in the 1972 Soviet Series. He was as fast as the fastest Russian - I can still close my eyes and see him fly.

Tom S.'s picture
Submitted by Tom S. on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 18:05.
Ah, those were the days. Speaking of *** Duff, funny story. He wasn't as good a driver as he was a hockey player, to wit, back in 1975 he was visiting his brother John in Windsor, ON whose family lived next door to us. Well, *** must have had a few pops too many and, when he backed his car out of his brother's driveway, he proceeded to sideswip my dad's old Galaxy 500 on the driver's side. When my dad noticed the ding, he went next door and confronted him about it. When he denied it, my dad told him that the dent on his car matched perfectly the dent on his bumper, colour and all. Well, needless to say, he fessed up and got out his wallet to make things right again. Memories. LOL.

24 Cups's picture
Submitted by 24 Cups on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 17:00.
Don - You just gave away your age - welcome to the old boys club on this site! I too loved *** Duff, both as a Maple leaf and as a Hab. He didn't do much during the regular season, but man, did he show up for the playoffs. Show me the money:-) Yvan Cournoyer was skating all over the ice during the 72' series, while Vic Halfield [sic] was upchucking behind the bench. Remember it well. The Original 24 Cups

cautiousoptimist's picture
Submitted by cautiousoptimist on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 15:47.
I'm positively giddy I tell you! But why oh why is RDS not carrying any exhibition games? Do they seriously think no one would watch!? Or are they just reluctant to reschedule their footage of all those World's Strongest Man tractor pulls? 1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat 2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."

The Cat's picture
Submitted by The Cat on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 17:11.
I dont know for sure, but maybe RDS's sister station RIS will have them?

G-Man's picture
Submitted by G-Man on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 16:20.
Sept. 23- 7PM and 1 more the next weekend. It's exhibition, so don't sweat it too much. Although, I wouldn't mind seeing at least 4, just to evaluate the young guns. Gilbert 2008/09 is the season of the Habs

von's picture
Submitted by von on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 15:47.
My guess would be because they don't have the rights to it? Only the regular season and playoffs? Exhibition games probably aren't included in the deal. I seem to remember the NHL Online network streaming them for free last year though. _________________________________ "Obviously it would be great, but they don't really hang conference titles in this rink. They raise Stanley Cup banners." - Carey Price

the real vinnydj's picture
Submitted by the real vinnydj on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 15:20.
They may want to wait until June 2009 to finish the movie, they wouldn't want to miss an important piece of info....

Steiner's picture
Submitted by Steiner on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 15:16.
What a fabulous interview, Dave. Great to hear what someone like Cournoyer has to say about the team we have today, and also about the changes in the game. I know Mr. Cournoyer quite well as he plays golf with my step father every Wednesday - they're teammates on a Men's League! And often take eachother money! I've always been too nervous to ask him about anything hockey related, so its nice to hear what he has to say!

projectpete19's picture
Submitted by projectpete19 on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 15:08.
the film is french only? quest que ce tabernack! that is all the french i know

von's picture
Submitted by von on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 15:28.
I'm pretty certain it would subtitled, at the very least. _________________________________ "Obviously it would be great, but they don't really hang conference titles in this rink. They raise Stanley Cup banners." - Carey Price

Mr.Hazard's picture
Submitted by Mr.Hazard on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 15:25.
LOL Ex nihilo nihil fit

Hoegarden's picture
Submitted by Hoegarden on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 14:54.
Great interview Dave. I'd bet he could still beat a few players for a dash down the ice. Can't wait for that 100th Anniversary film to come out.