There will be a whole off-season to dissect and analyze the Montreal Canadiens, past present and future. I was fortunate to become a Habs writer along with Andrew and Brian during this past Canadiens playoff run. Everything happened quite quickly, and so I would like to take a moment and properly introduce myself to the Hockeybuzz community and share a little bit with you on how I became a fan of hockey and the Canadiens, as well as my interest in writing. I must admit that parts of this actually ended up being a cover letter of sorts from when I sent Eklund my first entry back before the playoffs started.
We all know that the Montreal Canadiens are the most storied franchise in the NHL. It is nothing new to say that following the Habs is like a religion, one that many people are devoted to. The Canadiens have a unique way of bringing together people of all ages, genders, political leanings, religions and race. Your own personal background has no meaning - as long as you cheer and bleed for the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge.
I have a vague recollection of when I became a true fan. It was sometime during the mid 1980s. My father and brother went to a hockey game at the storied Montreal Forum and brought back a red Canadiens jersey for me. At the time and as the 3rd child, it wasn’t often that I received something brand new. My excitement over the red CH jersey was palpable, I was hooked. Shortly thereafter I would learn how to read through the by-lines of Red Fisher in the Montreal Gazette. I claimed the Sports Section at the breakfast table, teaching myself the inner workings of the game through recaps and boxscores. I would learn French by finding the weekday Canadiens game on whichever station was carrying it that night. I stayed up past my bedtime listening to the games on the radio and would visualize everything through the eyes of Dick Irvin Jr. Growing up a tomboy, the Montreal Canadiens became my outlet, my passion. They gave a young girl the opportunity to learn about teamwork, sportsmanship. Through the Canadiens I learnt how to dream and watching them win the Stanley Cup in 1986 & 1993 I learnt that one should never give up on those dreams.
Today, the Montreal Canadiens are still a passion, sometimes even an addiction. Like most fans, I have had my share of superstitions regarding winning. At 12 years old, I believed that I indirectly contributed to the Canadiens Stanley Cup win of 1993. As you may or may not remember, Game 1 against the Quebec Nordiques was a devastating loss as the Habs blew a 2-0 lead with fewer than five minutes left to play. Watching the Nordiques win in overtime was absolutely heartbreaking. When the series returned to Montreal and the Canadiens down 0-2, I couldn’t bear to watch overtime of game 3 and so I listened on my yellow Sony walkman (kids look it up) in my room. When the Canadiens won I made a pact that I wouldn’t watch any more overtime games as long as the Habs were winning. Little did I know that the Canadiens would win 10 games in overtime through that Stanley Cup winning run. To this day I don’t regret that superstition, it’s almost like it’s part of your job as a fan - to feel like somehow you are doing your part to help the team win. Throughout these playoffs I still had new superstitions even though deep down I know that it has absolutely zero impact on the fortunes of the Canadiens. I found that every time I would write a game preview, the Canadiens would lose that night. And so I made the conscious decision not to further submit game day previews. Alas even my superstitions could not keep the Canadiens in the playoffs… However, I keep with them in part to honour that 12 year old girl still inside of me.
Somewhere along the way I lost hold of my dreams of writing and sports journalism, dreams of having my own by-line like the incomparable Red Fisher. I did graduate from Concordia with a BA in Communications and took a number of Journalism courses while in University. Then things and life happen, good things at that but I consciously forgot about those dreams. Also, I will be very frank that I lacked self-confidence. That I didn’t think people could or would be interested in what I had to say. It was easier to give up on those dreams than to pursue them.
When it was announced that Eric Engels would be leaving Hockeybuzz, Eklund encouraged everyone with any interest to submit a piece. To this day, I’m not exactly sure how or why I started to write but I did. At first it started out as to what I felt the next Habs writer should be: someone who can bring unique points of view with great enthusiasm, and can spark further debates but with a touch of class, somewhat like the Canadiens themselves. Something strange happened though and I didn’t stop. I wound up writing my series prediction from round 1 against the Senators. I debated hitting the send button and finally did so figuring I had nothing to lose, not telling a soul what I was doing. I was delighted and truly surprised to hear back from Eklund, that not only did he enjoy my piece but would be publishing it as well. I was overwhelmed by the support and kind comments of not only family and friends, but especially from you - the Hockeybuzz community. To learn that I would become a Habs writer here along with Andrew and Brian was unbelievable. I am so excited and appreciative for this opportunity, of giving me a chance to make my dream come true.
Throughout the Summer I’ll evaluate the Habs players performances, discuss the draft and play Marc Bergevin’s Playstation and see what trade and UFA scenarios could be on the horizon. For now, I hope you’ll take a moment to remember the inner child in you and how you became a hockey fan. I would love to take a break from discussing the future position of Alex Galchenyuk and hear your own stories, Canadiens fan or other. They are all worth celebrating.
Follow along and continue the conversation here and on twitter as well.
Cheers,
Jennifer Berzan Cutler
#IamaFanBecause
#IHelpMyTeamWinBy
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»