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The Re-Francasization of the Montreal Canadiens

June 13, 2012, 10:37 AM ET [3178 Comments]
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One thing that seems abundantly clear is that Geoff Molson heard the message last season. In allowing Pierre Gauthier to hire a unilingual, anglophone coach in Randy Cunneyworth, Molson got more than an earful about the importance of having a French coach.

French extends further than the Canadiens' bench. It's the intrinsic fabric of the team's woven and colorful history. And in attempting to return to better days, Molson seems to have mandated to bring it back in spades.

Molson's first key francophone hire was Marc Bergevin, and Bergevin seems to be on the same page regarding the re-francasization of the franchise, after watching the team plunder to the worst regular season in its history. And though French and the Canadiens certainly carries political undertones (maybe overtones is more apt), it's pretty clear that Bergevin is attempting to restore pride, as it was so clearly damaged by the end of the previous regime's reign.

Bob Gainey and Pierre Gauthier made French a secondary part of being a Montreal Canadien. They drafted American players, they traded their homegrown talents in Ribiero, Lapierre and Latendresse, they fired Georges Laraque, and let others fall by the wayside until all that was left in the room was Matt Darche and David Desharnais. The final straw was hiring Randy Cunneyworth.

One of Bergevin's first statements regarding his new team was that he was going to reestablish a strong scouting presence here in Quebec, whereas previously, the Canadiens only had one overseer in the area.

Today, the Canadiens announced Patrice Brisebois and Martin Lapointe will share responsibilities of helping with player development. They also announced that Sylvain Lefebvre will be taking over the Hamilton Bulldogs.

It remains to be seen as to whom French Coach Michel Therrien intends on hiring as his assistants.

Not to say French is the only thing that matters. Bergevin brought in Rick Dudley and Scott Melanby, and retained the services of Trevor Timmins, none of which speak the language.

All of this seems to be a statement on how the incumbents viewed their predecessors. It's a view that could be easily shared by the fanbase--French or English--as everyone watched the Canadiens play more listless games than they did passionate and prideful ones, last season.

Who better to show the current members of the team what it means to be a Montreal Canadien than those who grew up in these parts; those that consider their stake in the team to be a birthright, and a responsibility that reaches much farther than the simple fun of a game? Hockey means more around here, and it's going to mean more to the Canadiens than it did last year.

And this seems to be just the beginning. Take a look at the UFAs and I'm sure you'll identify some names from around here that will garner more attention from the Canadiens than they have in the past. P-A. Parenteau is at the top of a list that includes recently ostracized Steve Bernier, Bruno Gervais, Francis Bouillon among others. They may not be the cream of the crop, but all of them would likely relish the opportunity to play for Molson and Bergevin's new Canadiens.

Look for Bergevin to explore trade possibilities that will bring more impactful, French players to the Canadiens.

Look for the team to find the best prospects available at this year's draft, and look for them to have a keen eye on French-born players that may be ignored in other markets, but could be more valuable to the Canadiens.

The pieces have to fit. I'm not suggesting it's French above all, nor do I believe that Bergevin has anything else in mind, other than winning. But the plan seems pretty clear: It's time to restore pride in the jersey, and it's hard to argue the Canadiens aren't getting closer to doing that with the mandate they're executing.
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