Saturday, 3 August 2013

Habs players possibly heading to the Sochi Games

This season, the NHL is sending their best to participate in the Winter Olympics.  Dating back to the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, this marks the 5th consecutive Olympics NHL players take part in the Olympics (1998/Nagano; 2002/Salt Lake City; 2006/Milan; 2010/Vancouver; 2014/Sochi).

Potentially 10 Canadiens players can be taking part in the Winter Games.

Twelve teams qualified for the ice hockey competition at the Olympics.   Every country are holding an Orientation camps prior to the start of their 2013/14 seasons.  

Team Canada will be holding Camp between August 25- August 28. Two members of the Montreal Canadiens have been asked to attend;  G - Carey Price and 2013 Norris Trophy Winner defenseman P.K. Subban.  

Other members of the Canadiens have also been invited by their respective countries to take part in their orientation camps include defensemen Alexei Emelin and Andrei Markov by the Russian Federation.

Team USA have invited forwards Mac Pacioretty and surprisingly sophomore  Alex Galchenyuk.

Some other members of the Canadiens will be a lock to represent their country at the Olympics. They include defenseman Raphael Diaz (Switzerland), goalie Peter Budaj (Slovakia) and forwards Tomas Plekenec (Czech Replublic) and Lars Eller (Denmark).  Eller is by far the best player on his team.  

The Winter Olympics take place between February 7, 2014 to February 23, 2014.  Team Canada is the defending Gold Medal Champions.


-- Mario Perrazzino

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Sunday, 5 May 2013

Is the Montreal Bell Centre cursed?

The Bell Centre was opened with much fanfare back on March 16, 1996.  But in 17 years, the Canadiens have yet to win a Stanley Cup in their new home.  The Canadiens last Stanley Cup came 20 years ago at the Montreal Forum back in 1993.


Lack of Championship notoriety at the Bell Centre notwithstanding, the home of the Montreal Canadiens has witnessed more than its fair share of horrific on ice injuries.  Some even career threatening.  


With the latest injury sustained by the Canadiens Lars Eller being hit to the head by Ottawa Senators Eric Grba this past week, I have complied a list of major injuries over the years that occurred at the Bell Centre.

January 20, 2000: Trent McLeary troat injury



April 25, 2002: Richard Zednick hit by Kyle McLaren (Boston Bruins)



April 26, 2006: Saku Koivi hit in the eye by Justin Williams (Carolina Hurricanes)




November 13, 2010: Andrei Markov Injury


March 8 2011: Max Pacioretty destroyed by Zedeno Chara (Boston Bruins)



November 9, 2012: Blake Geoffrion suffers skull injury in AHL game at the Bell Centre by Jean-Philippe Cote. 


Blake Geoffrion has yet to return to skating and might never play professional hockey again.


May 2nd 2012:  Lars Eller; huge hit by Eric Gryba (Ottawa Senators)



There were two others which I couldn;t find online but they were Donald Audette's hand injury ending his career.  And Robert Lang's injury sustained during the Canadiens Centenniel season.

Special thanks to And-o from the GOHABS.com Message Board for pointing out three omissions from my original post.

Mario Perrazzino
mario@gohabs.com
http://GOHABS.com


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Saturday, 23 March 2013

What's in a number, 2012-13 edition


As a hockey fan for over 30 years, I am always intrigued numbers players wear.
This season, although it’s been a shortened 48 game schedule coming out of the lockout, has seen its fair share of number changes for the 2012-13 edition of the Montreal Canadiens.
#8 Brandon Prust
Let’s begin with the off-season acquisitions rookie GM Marc Bergevin made. Brandon Prust, chose #8. I number he’s all too familiar with playing with that number in New York. In recent years Mike Komisarek wore it for 7 seasons (2002-2009).
#20 Colby Armstrong
Colby Armstrong was signed as UFA, having played with Toronto. Armstrong opted to go with the number20, the number he first used when he broke into the NHL back in 2007 with Pittsburgh. Armstrong also wore #20 in his second season with Atlanta Thrashers. James Wisniewski was the last Hab to wear #20.
#55 Francis Bouillon
In his second stint with the Canadiens, Bouillon wanted to wear the same number he’s worn all his NHL career with both Montreal and Nashville; #51. However, #51 is worn by David Desharnais. So Bouillon went with #55. #55 was last worn briefly by Brent Sopel. Over the years, five players have worn #55. Longest serving was Igor Ulanov for parts of three seasons (1997-2000).
#17 Rene Bourque
Last season when Bourque was traded to Montreal, he wore #27. With Chris Campoli becoming a UFA, #17 became available, a number Bourque is familiar with when he was with the Calgary Flames prior to his trade to Montreal. The most famous Canadien ever to wear #17? Jean Beliveau who wore it briefly when he was called up to the big club the first time back in 1951. Beliveau was then given #4 when he made the club for good in 1953.
#27 Alex Galchenyuk
Canadiens Rookies are rarely given a say on what number they wear. And Alex Galchenyuk is no exception. Having played with #94 in Sarnia in Junior, the Canadiens gave Galchenyuk #27. Before Rene Bourque, Alex Kovalev, the most famous Russian ever to play with the Canadiens wore it from 2003-2009.
#73 à#11 Brendan Gallagher
Brendan Gallagher broke into the NHL with #73. But barely 30 games into the 2012-13 season, Gallagher switched to #11 as Michael Ryder was re-acquired in trade with Dallas. Ryder wore #73 previously and before Gallagher wore the number this season, Ryder was in club history the only player ever to wear #73. Gallagher was all too happy switching to #11, a number he wore in Junior with the Vancouver Giants. And for Habs fans, we would all like to forget who last wore #11; Scott Gomez wore it the last two seasons. Notable players to wear #11 were Ryan Walter (1982-91), Kirk Muller (1991-95), and Saku Koivu (1995-2009).
#73 Michael Ryder
Michael Ryder was re-acquired by the Canadiens this season in a trade with the Dallas Stars. Ryder has played with the Canadiens, Bruins and Stars and has always worn #73. So it was all too welcoming for Ryder when Gallagher offered the number to Ryder when he re-joined the Habs.
#42 Jarred Tinordi
Jarred Tinordi’s dad Mark Tinordi played 12 seasons in the NHL. And for 11 of those seasons he wore #24. So the Canadiens wanting Jarred Tinrodi to make his own mark with the club inversed the numbers to #42. Domenic Moore was the last player to wear #42 prior to Tinordi.
#37 Gabriel Dumont
Gabriel Dumont was first called up during the 2011-12 season. And #37 is the only number he has worn with the Canadiens. #37 was first worn my Steve Penny back in 1983. And the first 6 players in club history to wear #37 were all goaltenders. Prior to Dumont, Niklas Sundstrum wore it for parts of four seasons (2002-06).
#64 Greg Pateryn
Greg Pateryn was recently called up to the Canadiens making his NHL debut. Not too many players have worn #64 in the Canadiens storied history. He joins Armand Mondou (1934-35) and Jean-Philippe Côté (2005-06).


#24 Jeff Halpern
Jeff Halpern was picked up off waivers in March and returns for his second tour of duty with the Havs.  In Halpern's 13 year career in the NHL, Halpern always wore #15.  But #15 is currently reserved for Petteri Nokelainen who is in Hamilton after missing a year of action due to a back injury.  Halpern becomes the 42nd different player in Canadiens history to wear #24.  Among the notables to don the jersey were Chris Chelios (1983-90) and Lyle Odelein (1990-96). #24 was last worn by Mathieu Schneider. Trivia enthusiast will appreciate that when Serge Savard was first called up by the Canadiens back in 1966, and similarly by Pierre Mondou back 1976, they were given #24.


#40 Nathan Beaulieu
Nathan Beaulieu becomes the 5th rookie to earn a start with the Canadiens during the abbreviated 2012-13 season. Beaulieu becomes only the 8th different player to wear the number 40, and the first since Maxime Lapierre wore it for six seasons (2005-11).  The first player to wear #40 in Habs history was Domenic Campedelli back in the 1985-86 season.



-- Mario Perrazzino

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Friday, 28 December 2012

The Montreal Canadiens Top 10 positive signs from 2012



The Montreal Canadiens 2011-12 season proved to be one of the most frustrating and embarrassing seasons ever in Canadiens storied franchise’s history.   Finishing last in the Eastern conference, and 3rd last overall, and with the NHL lockout still in effect with no signs of ending anytime soon, seeing 2012 end couldn’t come too soon.  So I wanted to compile a top 10 list of positive signs from 2012, and what Habs fans can look forward to in 2013 (pending lockout ends one day soon).

The Montreal Canadiens The top 10 positive signs for 2012 (in no particular order):

Lars Eller four goal outburst:  On Jan 4th, 2012, Lars Eller performed the Lars Eller show scoring four goals and picking up one assist as the Habs trounced the Winnipeg Jets 7-2 at the Bell Centre.  Not bad for Eller considering earlier in the season against the Jets, Eller was benched!  Eller’s four goal game was the first by a Canadiens since Jan Bulis performed the feat back in 2006.

Habs beat Red Wings 7-2 on Jan 25:  Who would have thought with the Canadiens struggling so badly in 2011-12, and with Stanley Cup contenders Detroit Red Wings coming to town that the Canadiens would blow them out like they did?  Well that’s exactly what happened back on Jan. 12, 2012 when the Canadiens exploded to a 6-0 lead and won 7-2.  One of the very few on-ice highs for the Canadiens in 2012.

Andrei Markov returns to action: On March 12, 2012, Andrei Markov returned to action after almost 16 months off due to injuries. Prior to his comeback game in March, Markov, had played in only seven games in the last two seasons suffering from two major knee surgeries and another arthroscopic procedure.  Markov finished the 2012 season talking a regular shift.  These last few months during the lockout, Markov has taken a regular spot with Vityaz Chekhov in the KHL showing signs that he has indeed fully recovered.
David Desharnais surprising season:  Last season was David Desharnais’ breakout season in the NHL.  At 5’7, 177lbs not many pegged Desharnais as a No. 1 Centre on any team.  But that’s where Desharnais  found himself centring Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole for most of the season and tallying 16 goals and 44 assists.  A far cry from Desharnais’ previous NHL highs the season prior, his rookie season, when in 43 games, Desharnais recorded 22 points.

Max Pacioretty’s comeback season and breakout year.  On March 9, 2011 Max Pacioretty’s hockey reality came to a crashing halt when he was viciously hit by Zdeno Chara.  Pacioretty’s season came to an instant end, suffering a season ending severe concussion and breaking his neck, coming just a few millimetres from being paralyzed.  But Pacioretty was determined to make a full recovery.  Pacioretty finished the 2011-12 season with career highs in goals (33) and assists (32), and leading the Canadiens in team scoring with 65 points.  Pacioretty capped off the season winning the Bill Masterton award, awarded to the player that best exemplifies qualities of perseverance, team spirit and dedication to the sport of hockey.

Firing of Pierre Gauthier:  With the Canadiens worst record since the 1940’s. The writing was on the wall for Pierre Gauthier to be fired.  Under Gauthier’s short tenure as GM, he fired assistant head coach Perry Pearn hours before a hockey game.  Soon after, team head  coach, Jacques Martin was fired too.    And on Jan 12, 2012, Pierre Gauthier also managed to trade Mike Cammalleri during a hockey game forcing Cammalleri to leave part way into a game verses  the Boston Bruins giving a new meaning to dysfunctional organization.  Prior to end of the 2012 season, on March 29, 2012 Canadiens CEO Geoff Molson announced that Pierre Gauthier was relieved of his duties as the team’s general manager,.

Hiring of Marc Bergevin:  After an exhaustive four-week search for the next General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens, the list wound down to two candidates;  Pierre McGuire and Marc Bergevin.  On May 2nd, 2012, Team President Geoff Molson announced that Marc Bergevin would become the club’s 17th General Manager in club history.  Bergevin wasted no time putting his team in place.  Gone were the days of the Canadiens GM performing all the player development and player personnel moves.   Scott Melanby was hired as Director of Player Personnel.  Martin Lapointe was hired as Director of Player Development.  Bergevin also added another assistant GM in Rick Dudley.  And the scouting department under Trevor Timmins was expanded.  What remains to be seen is how Bergevin’s hiring of new head coach Michel Therrien will play itself out.

Drafting of Alex Galchenyuk:  The Montreal Canadiens had the third pick overall in the 2012 Entry Draft and they selected centre  Alex Galchenyuk.  This season, Galchenyuk is dominating his last season junior hockey with the Sarnia Sting of the OHL, and Galchenyuk  is also competing in the 2012 World Junior Championships playing for Team USA.  It can be argued that the Galchenyuk pick represents the best non-goalie draft pick the Canadiens have selected since Saku Koivu back in 1993. 

Tomas Plekanec thriving in Europe:  On Sept 15, 2012 when the NHL announced that there would be a lockout as both the NHL and NHLPA failed to reach a negotiated settlement for  a new CBA, Plekanec was one of the first players  to decide to play in Europe during the lockout.  Playing in his native Czech republic for  team Kladno, in 32 games Plekanec is second in scoring with 46 points.  And should the lockout end soon, Plekanec would be in mid-season form.  Although Plekanec just suffered a slight setback injuring his ribs and should miss one week.

Canadiens prospects in the AHL:  With the lockout now over 100 days strong, the Canadiens have focused on stock piling their AHL farm club with prospects.  Never have the Canadiens been loaded with this much depth and prospects in their farm like they have this season. Although  Aaron Palushaj , Blake Geoffrion, and  Louis Leblanc have already played in the NHL, they are getting additional work in the AHL due to the lockout.  And providing tutelage to new comers Brendan Gallagher, Nathan Beaulieu, , Patrick Holland, Brendon Nash, Morgan Ellis, Jarred Tinordi.  It wouldn’t be too surprising to see that from these names mentioned, at least three or four will turn into solid NHL players in years to come.

Mario Perrazzino
 
mario@gohabs.com

Friday, 22 June 2012

Montreal Canadiens unveil 2012-13 Schedule

The Montreal Canadiens 2012-13 regular season schedule is now out.
And for starters the Canadiens won't be starting the season versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.
And as well they will be starting at home for a change.

Circle Thursday October 11 2012 (provided their won't be a lockout) as the Canadiens will play host to the Ottawa Senators.

Worth mentioning, former team captain Saku Koivu returns to the Bell Centre on Saturday October 27 when the Habs play host to the Ducks.

And Mike Cammalleri pays his respect as the Flames visit the Canadiens on November 13.

And the Canadiens traditional Super Bowl matinees will continue once again this season when on Sat Feb and Sunday February 3rd, Canadiens entertain both the Islanders and Senators respectively.

Montreal Canadiens 2012-13 Schedule
Oct-12
Date Opponent Time TV
THU, 11 OCT 2012 OTTAWA 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
SAT, 13 OCT 2012 @ TORONTO 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
TUE, 16 OCT 2012 BOSTON 7:30 PM RDS/TSN
THU, 18 OCT 2012 @ BOSTON 7:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 20 OCT 2012 WASHINGTON 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
TUE, 23 OCT 2012 @ MINNESOTA 8:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
THU, 25 OCT 2012 PHILADELPHIA 7:30 PM RDS/TSN
SAT, 27 OCT 2012 ANAHEIM 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
TUE, 30 OCT 2012 @ CALGARY 9:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
Nov-12
Date Opponent Time TV
THU, 1 NOV 2012 @ EDMONTON 9:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 3 NOV 2012 @ VANCOUVER 10:00 PM RDS/CBC
TUE, 6 NOV 2012 PHOENIX 7:30 PM RDS
THU, 8 NOV 2012 WINNIPEG 7:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 10 NOV 2012 NY RANGERS 7:00 PM RDS/CBC/MSG
TUE, 13 NOV 2012 CALGARY 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
THU, 15 NOV 2012 @ WINNIPEG 8:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 17 NOV 2012 @ COLORADO 10:00 PM RDS/CBC
MON, 19 NOV 2012 NASHVILLE 7:30 PM RDS
TUE, 20 NOV 2012 @ NJ DEVILS 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS/NBCSN
SAT, 24 NOV 2012 VANCOUVER 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
TUE, 27 NOV 2012 @ TAMPA BAY 7:30 PM RDS/TSN
Dec-12
Date Opponent Time TV
SAT, 1 DEC 2012 TORONTO 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
SUN, 2 DEC 2012 @ COLUMBUS 6:00 PM RDS
TUE, 4 DEC 2012 CHICAGO 7:30 PM RDS/TSN
THU, 6 DEC 2012 @ BUFFALO 7:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 8 DEC 2012 BUFFALO 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
MON, 10 DEC 2012 CAROLINA 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
WED, 12 DEC 2012 @ NY RANGERS 7:00 PM RDS
THU, 13 DEC 2012 LA KINGS 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 15 DEC 2012 @ BUFFALO 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
MON, 17 DEC 2012 BUFFALO 7:30 PM RDS/NBCSN
WED, 19 DEC 2012 @ OTTAWA 7:00 PM RDS/TSN
THU, 20 DEC 2012 @ WASHINGTON 7:00 PM RDS/TSN
SAT, 22 DEC 2012 @ TORONTO 7:00 PM RDS/CBC/NHL-US
THU, 27 DEC 2012 @ TAMPA BAY 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
FRI, 28 DEC 2012 @ FLORIDA 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
MON, 31 DEC 2012 @ CAROLINA 8:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
Jan-13
Date Opponent Time TV
THU, 3 JAN 2013 NJ DEVILS 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 5 JAN 2013 TORONTO 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
TUE, 8 JAN 2013 FLORIDA 7:30 PM RDS
THU, 10 JAN 2013 @ PHILADELPHIA 7:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 12 JAN 2013 @ DALLAS 2:00 PM RDS/CBC
SUN, 13 JAN 2013 @ ST-LOUIS 7:30 PM RDS
WED, 16 JAN 2013 PITTSBURGH 7:00 PM RDS/TSN
FRI, 18 JAN 2013 @ PITTSBURGH 7:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 19 JAN 2013 BOSTON 7:00 PM RDS/CBC/NHL-US
TUE, 22 JAN 2013 TAMPA BAY 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
TUE, 29 JAN 2013 EDMONTON 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
WED, 30 JAN 2013 @ DETROIT 7:30 PM RDS/TSN/NBCSN
Feb-13
Date Opponent Time TV
SAT, 2 FEB 2013 NY ISLANDERS 1:00 PM RDS/CBC
SUN, 3 FEB 2013 OTTAWA 1:00 PM RDS/CBC
WED, 6 FEB 2013 CAROLINA 7:00 PM RDS/TSN
FRI, 8 FEB 2013 @ PITTSBURGH 7:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 9 FEB 2013 TORONTO 7:300 PM RDS/CBC
TUE, 12 FEB 2013 @ NY ISLANDERS 7:00 PM RDS
FRI, 15 FEB 2013 @ BUFFALO 7:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS/MSG-B
SUN, 17 FEB 2013 @ WINNIPEG 2:00 PM RDS/CBC
TUE, 19 FEB 2013 SAN JOSE 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
WED, 20 FEB 2013 @ NY RANGERS 7:00 PM RDS
SAT, 23 FEB 2013 PITTSBURGH 7:00 PM RDS/CBC/NHL-US
MON, 25 FEB 2013 @ OTTAWA 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
THU, 28 FEB 2013 BOSTON 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
Mar-13
Date Opponent Time TV
SAT, 2 MAR 2013 NY ISLANDERS 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
MON, 4 MAR 2013 @ BOSTON 7:30 PM RDS/TSN/NBCSN
THU, 7 MAR 2013 @ WASHINGTON 7:00 PM RDS/TSN
SAT, 9 MAR 2013 @ TAMPA BAY 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
SUN, 10 MAR 2013 @ FLORIDA 6:00 PM RDS
WED, 13 MAR 2013 OTTAWA 7:00 PM RDS/TSN
FRI, 15 MAR 2013 @ PHILADELPHIA 7:00 PM RDS/TSN
SAT, 16 MAR 2013 @ NY DEVILS 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
TUE, 19 MAR 2013 @ OTTAWA 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
THU, 21 MAR 2013 NJ DEVILS 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
SAT, 23 MAR 2013 @ NY ISLANDERS 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
TUE, 26 MAR 2013 WINNIPEG 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
WED, 27 MAR 2013 @ BOSTON 7:30 PM RDS/TSN/NBCSN
SAT, 30 MAR 2013 NY RANGERS 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
Apr-13
Date Opponent Time TV
TUE, 2 APR 2013 PHILADELPHIA 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
THU, 4 APR 2013 WASHINGTON 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 6 APR 2013 BUFFALO 7:00 PM RDS/CBC
TUE, 9 APR 2013 FLORIDA 7:30 PM RDS/TSN-HABS
FRI, 12 APR 2013 @ CAROLINA 7:00 PM RDS/TSN-HABS/NHL-US
SAT, 13 APR 2013 @ TORONTO 7:00 PM RDS/CBC