Ek's Note:
First off we have some more guest writers for you coming up for the rest of the week.
I would say I am amazed by the passion you Canadiens fans show for your team, the passion, the relentless support...but I am no longer amazed by it. It is what I've grown accustomed to. It is why we will find you a new writer worthy of it. It is why, despite the immediateness of the playoffs we are taking our time and getting it right for you.
Thanks for your input in this process. email me directly at eklund (at) hockeybuzz (dot) com and tell me what you think. Put "Habs Writer" in the title if you have an opinion, and put "Habs writer sample" if you want to submit to become our new writer. We are looking for one, maybe two and also looking for a French Habs writer as well.
If you have experience, that's awesome. If you don't, but you have a unique voice that resonates with your fellow Canadiens, that's "awesomer".
Put it this way, when it comes to hockey knowledge it is harder to find a Habs fan who DOESN'T know this game inside and out than it is to find one who does. You all know this game well enough to write about it and do what we do. There are thousands of people out there writing about the Canadiens. Literally thousands. I want the one's who bring their personality to the table. The one who shows his/her voice without fear.
Few people know how I REALLY discovered Eric Engels. (and yes I will take credit for this one!)
Years ago I received and email from him. He wasn't asking to write, he was just venting. He wasn't aspiring to be a professional hockey writer...he was just a guy. We had a contest going on at the time, but that didn't even matter. We may remember this differently :) but I don't know if he was actually submitting to that contest or not. I am trying to find the original email to post, and I texted Eric to see if he has it..
The point is you may not fancy yourself a writer now, and then five years from now you could find yourself at Sportsnet. It just takes passion and a ton of work. Eric proved that.
I will post a new Habs writer each day for the next several. I want your opinion...
In the meantime...please check out this video done by the brilliant, former CBC Hockey Night in Canada Montage Maker Tim Thompson for the Canadiens. My guess is you have all seen it, but if you haven't you won't soon forget it.