It was this running schtick I had going with my sister for awhile. One of us would say something like, “I’ve known a lot of people in my life…… and you’re one of them.” Or if we were in the car one would say, “You know, I’ve seen a lot of drivers in my life…… [...]

Goodbye Eddie Palchak. 31 Years with the Montreal Canadiens, beginning in 1966, as trainer, equipment manager, babysitter, confidant, friend, big brother, skate sharpener, and massager of egos. He was part of the team for ten Stanley Cups, was in the room during highs and lows and the angry throwing of skates and sticks when things weren’t [...]

Finally got to see Part One of 24/7, HBO’s fascinating look at the behind the scenes goings-on of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, two teams going in different directions, and one team with a coach who drops a ton of F-bombs as he gives his inspirational speeches in the dressing room and behind the bench. It’s a [...]

Saku Koivu had this to say recently about the difference in closeness between his new team, the Anaheim Ducks, and his old. “It’s more of a tighter feeling than in Montreal.” And that says a lot. Because if it’s true, that the Canadiens weren’t a close group, then no wonder they lost big and looked dismal [...]

The Globe and Mail called Ken Dryden’s book, The Game, “the sports book of the year, or maybe the decade, or maybe the century.”  Dryden took us into the inner circle of the late 1970′s Montreal Canadiens, when they were the best team in hockey, poised to win their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup. It’s a great book, written with humility [...]

  I drank beer with Aurele Joliat in Ottawa at the old Prescott Hotel, sometime in the mid-1980′s, and drove him home afterwards. I had brought my book, ‘The Montreal Canadiens” by Claude Mouton with me, and Aurele was more than happy to sign it and mention my broken arm.   Ken Dryden signed his book [...]