A Sports Column with a Twist
Nicholas Richard
Favored sports quote in Quebec's historical sports timeline.
You've just caught the thrilling victory of the Montreal Alouettes in the Grey Cup, and it's a wild celebration in their camp. I managed to snag some players' and coaches' comments, but let's not forget about the viral video of Marc-Antoine Dequoy's famous "Keep your English!" speech. It's a moment etched in time, full of emotion and a bit of patriotic vibe.
Jean-Philippe Arcand
A wise French writer once said, "What can be well conceived is clearly expressed, and the words to say it arrive easily." Pat Burns, a legendary sports sage, embodied this principle in his clear and concise delivery, never holding back when it came to honesty. Remember his famous "It's medical, and it hurts" or his stinging rebuke of Shayne Corson after the bar fight incident? Those words still ring in our minds, making us long for a time when political correctness wasn't the norm.
Watch the Pat Burns statement
Eric Martel
In 1996, Patrick Roy and Jeremy Roenick had a memorable confrontation during the playoffs. Roy wasn’t impressed with Roenick's comments about a penalty shot that wasn't called during a breakaway. His response, "I can't hear what Jeremy is saying, I have my two Stanley Cup rings blocking my ears," will forever be engraved in hockey history. The Avalanche went on to win the next two games and, eventually, the Stanley Cup.
Sometimes, Honesty is the Best Policy
Claude Julien, former coach of the Montreal Canadiens, struggled to find good things to say about a player during a trade deadline. When asked about Dwight King's greatest qualities, he replied, "He knows when to make line changes and what to do with the puck when it's time to make line changes." At least he was honest.
Karl Alzner: Close but No Cigar
Defenseman Karl Alzner left the Washington Capitals for the Canadiens in 2017, signing a generous contract. The Capitals had just been eliminated in the second round, and Alzner's frustration was evident. He said, "I want to win. I was tired of losing in the second round." Unfortunately for Alzner, the Canadiens ended up finishing in the bottom of the standings in the following season.
Jean-François Tremblay: The Power of Questioning
My colleague François Gagnon opened my eyes to a new perspective on a manager's role. During the controversial selection of Logan Mailloux in a draft after sexual assault charges, Gagnon asked Marc Bergevin, "Was the next one on your list really that bad?" This question serves as a reminder to every manager that the next available player may not be the perfect choice but might help avoid harmful situations within a team.
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Enrichment Data:
- "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take." – Wayne Gretzky: A legendary quote that underscores the importance of taking risks in hockey and reflects Canada's passion for the sport.
- "The Americans had our flag on their floor… Do they want us to sign it?" – Hayley Wickenheiser (2002 Salt Lake City Olympics): This quote symbolizes the intensity of the rivalry between Canada and the U.S. and represents Quebec's hockey pride.
- Mi'kmaq-Creighton Legacy: Historical accounts link Quebec to hockey's origins, with James Creighton and Mi'kmaq stick-and-ball games playing a crucial role in shaping organized hockey rules.
In the realm of arts, a dialogue could attempt to explore the enduring influence of legacy sports figures, such as Pat Burns, whose words transcend time and make us yearn for a less politically correct era in sports. The repercussions of Claude Julien's honest assessment about a player's qualities are still remembered today, serving as a reminder that sometimes, brutal honesty can offer an unexpected form of respect.
Karl Alzner's assertion about his desire to win, made in 2017, continues to resonate, particularly since the team he joined, the Canadiens, did not have a successful season after his arrival. Another notable figure is Jean-François Tremblay, whose question to Marc Bergevin during the controversial selection of Logan Mailloux brought forth the importance of making thoughtful decisions in team management.
These expressions from Quebec sports history, including Wayne Gretzky's famous saying about taking risks and Hayley Wickenheiser's quote encapsulating the intensity of the Quebec-U.S. rivalry, vividly illustrate our shared passion for sports in Quebec, interwoven with our fine tradition of arts and expression.
