Give the Habs celebrations a rest; the weekend audiences
December 6, 2009 · 21 Comments
Yes, the Montreal Canadiens’ centennial celebration Friday was moving in spots – bringing in Gordie Howe was a nice touch and so was hoisting the jerseys of Elmer Lach and Emile Bouchard – but didn’t you get the sense that you’d seen it all before? Many times before?
There was the Jean Beliveau tribute, and before that the gala celebrating the move to the new arena. And, over the past year, there have been the multiple 100-year celebrations. We all know the routine now. You bring in the old-timers, give them sweaters, trot them onto the ice and organize a few speeches. As one journalist wrote in an email, “It was all the same, only a little greyer and whiter and heavier.”
The Habs’ schedule of anniversary events has been excessive. As Hall of Fame goalie Ken Dryden said, enough with the celebrations. Time for the present day Canadiens to make some history of their own.
Are the Habs hockey’s most important team?
During the CBC’s coverage of the centennial celebration, Ron MacLean and Dick Irvin described club de hockey as the game’s most important team.
If the clock had stopped at midnight, May 2, 1967, you could make a case for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto’s triumph over the Habs in 1967 gave the franchise 13 Stanley Cups if you count the 1918 and 1922 championships won by the Toronto Arenas and St. Patricks respectively (Arenas, St. Pats, Leafs were all one of the same NHL franchise). At that point in 1967, the Canadiens had 14 Cups.
Over the years, Montreal had produced greater stars than the Leafs while the Toronto club’s collective had always been stronger than its individuals — a reflection of the Canadian sensibility, perhaps. Toronto was the NHL’s cornerstone, its most successful club financially, the most popular team in this country where hockey really counted, and most powerful of the league’s franchise, because of the clout of the Smythe family.
But, post 1967, the Canadiens solidified their position as the game’s glamour team by producing major stars and enjoying multiple successes on the ice. The Leafs, well, they didn’t, to put it mildly. Are the Canadiens hockey’s most important team? Without question.
Bells and whistles
When new digital technology is finally rolled out and put on view after a build-up, the reaction is often: Is that it? The new CBC’s online 360 degree arena camera, called All Access, was interesting, but not breathtaking. Here’s the “killer app” that computer geniuses should be devising for live online sports telecasts: A user controlled multi-lens devise that hangs above centre ice, gives the viewer a 360-degree pan of the playing surface and benches – and allows the user to zoom in and out. That would be breathtaking.
Millen’s sense of humour
During the Leafs TV telecast of last week’s Toronto-Columbus Blue Jackets game, Greg Millen did something quite unusual, and appalling, for a game analyst.
First, it’s important to understand that Millen is a Leafs booster. And, not surprisingly, Toronto’s 6-3 trouncing of the Blue Jackets sent him into full gush mode. With Phil Kessel leading the Leafs with two goals, Millen became so excited that he declared Leafs general manager Brian Burke the unconditional winner in the Phil Kessel trade, regardless of what the Boston Bruins end up getting with the two first round draft choices and a second round choice acquired from Toronto for Kessel. That idiotic remark doesn’t require further comment.
But, then came the topper. After the Leafs scored to make it 6-1, the camera went to Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock, who was not a happy guy. He had a frown on his face and his arms were folded over his chest, as they usually are.
That was enough to send Millen into spasms of laugher. He thought it was uproariously funny that Hitchcock was angry and that both assistants behind the bench were keeping their distance.
A reasonably accurate paraphrase is, “Hey, lookit, the assistant coaches are keeping well away from him, too. Ha, ha, ha.”
Even play by play announcer Joe Bowen, who a few years ago thought it was hilarious when coach Pat Quinn was dinged in the head by a flying puck, knew enough to keep his mouth shut. It was juvenile and unprofessional.
A woman in the NBA
Sports Illustrated reports NBA commissioner David Stern stating that “it’s a good possibility” a woman or women will be playing in the league within the next 10 years. It would be a great story, but I don’t see it. Basketball is not a contact sport in the sense that football and hockey are contact sports, but it is a contact sport. It’s hard to see women physically competing with men at that level.
- A reader asked if English Premier League games are shot by British television in HDTV. Paul Romanuk, the former TSN hockey announcer now living in London, England, provides an answer: He writes, “Most of the Premier League matches broadcast over here are in HD on Sky or ESPN. The European championship was in HD on ITV and the Beeb (BBC). So, they are definitely available in HD.”
- For TSN’s tribute to the Canadiens’ centennial last Tuesday (Leafs-Habs), the network drew a very strong 1.4 million viewers, its largest NHL audience of the season.
Weekend audiences
Hockey:
Hockey Night In Canada pre-game, Friday, (Canadiens 100th anniversary celebration), 1.203 million; Boston Bruins-Canadiens, 1.101 million.
Hockey Night pre-game, Saturday, 523,000; Toronto Maple Leafs-Bruins, 1.453 million (well below season average, probably because of no regional telecasts with the national game); Game 2, Calgary Flames-San Jose Sharks, 810,000.
Vancouver Canucks-Carolina Hurricanes, regional, Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Pacific, 229,000.
Edmonton Oilers-Dallas Stars, regional, Saturday 1 p.m., Sportsnet West, 141,000.
Ottawa Senators-Anaheim Ducks, regional, Sunday, Sportsnet East, 132,000.
Curling:
Olympic trial play-downs, Sunday, TSN, 3 p.m. ET, 524,000; 8 p.m., TSN2, 333,000.
Basketball:
Toronto Raptors-Washington Wizards, Friday, TSN, 219,000.
Raptors-Chicago Bulls, Saturday, TSN, 203,000.
Football:
NFL regional telecasts, CTV, Sunday, 1 p.m., 610,000.
NFL regional telecasts, Sportsnet, 4 p.m., 217,000.
NFL City-TV, 4 p.m., 633,000.
NFL Sunday night, TSN, Minnesota Vikings-Arizona Cardinals, 539,000.
Soccer:
FIFA World Cup draw, Friday, CBC, 142,000.
EPL, Arsenal-Stoke City, Saturday, Rogers Sportsnet, 101,0000.
Alpine skiing:
GMC Series, men’s downhill, Saturday, CBC, 98,000; women’s downhill, 117,000,
GMC Series, Sunday, Women’s Super-G, 163,000.
Speed skating:
Men’s and Women’s World Cup, Saturday, CBC, 213,000; Sunday, 184,000.
Sliding sports:
World Cup bobsleigh/skeleton, Saturday, CBC, 165,000.
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The Canadiens Centennial ceremony last Friday night exuded CLASS! Something the Leafs sorely need to find before they attempt another simillar ceremony.
The “demise” of Paul Hendrick? In order for there to be a ‘demise’ of something, it had to once be good. This guy’s been terrible his whole career, yes–even when he was at CHCH. His fawning is an embarassment. Sportsnet should be mortified that he’s on their broadcasts.
Former Score Employee:
I disagree with your assertion about Paul Hendrick. Hendrick was a solid and respected sportscaster at CHCH TV as well as lead announcer for all of their OUAA (now OUA) coverage. He was a respected voice for university sports, and actually its a shame that the old OUA Game of the Week is no more. Yes, his line of questioning now as a host with the Leafs has become softball in nature. That said, I think a lot of us would make that sacrifice for a position with the Leafs.
In editorial opinion writing, there can be no persuasion when a writer can’t produce rational argument and supporting fact.
Lazy writers resort to smears such as this one from a critic of William Houston:
“There’s a reason he only writes on the internet now,” was Millman’s best line.”
Grow up, fella.
Take the plunge – give the process of thoughtful argument a whirl. It might open your mind to new ideas, and give you the courage to move beyond blatant untruths.
Is this the Junius who frequents the Aurora Citizen blog?
The first draft of the article, which you clearly didn’t see was filled with untruths. It wasn’t a thoughtfyl arguement. It was making the subject of the article angry by smearing him, instead of doing some old-fashioned fact-checking, and he replied. People in radio are well aware of the dozens of anti-Fan 590 articles written by Houston especially in the early days. I think the PD is allowed one retort after 15 years.
You can’t just say someone was demoted when they weren’t.
You can’t say it was against his will, when he was excited for the opporunity.
You can’t say the Fan is getting rid of local programming during the day when nothing has been announced.
You can’t say the morning show is going to be forced out when no one has even been hired to make such decisions.
He re-wrote the article after he got his facts straight. In the Globe and Mail we would have read, “The Globe regrets the error.” Not online, however.
Paul Hendrick used to be a good sports anchor for CHCH many years ago but it is quite sad to see what has become of him as he is now only a shill for MLSE. I guess that he is raking in a lot more money these days though and I guess that is the price of not being considered a real journalist any longer.
Hey Bill,
True, we’ve all seen many renditions of the glorification of the Habs past and present. But each rendition has fewer of the old guard and what remains of the old guard always seems so much older. What these galas do is remind many of us of the days when the NHL was staffed mostly by Canadians and a few Americans. It was our game and we felt strangely and proudly connected to it. With the exception of the ever hopeful Leaf Nation, I don’t really think that connection exists today.
Bye the Bye, as you know, Pierre Bouchard’s father was Emile “Butch” Bouchard, not Pierre Sr.
Good on you, Mr. Houston, for pointing out the idiocy of Greg Millen as a colour commentator. While you’re at, an analysis of the demise of Paul Hendrick would be appropriate, too. This guy was once among the most well respected of sports broadcast journalists in the southern Ontario market; today, as “The Maudlin Man of the Blue-and-White Mic,” he lobs nothing but softballs at his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. The guy has become the Merv Griffin of the NHL. Some nights, after a Leafs’ loss, he genuinely looks like he’s going to break down in tears.
But Bill, how often does a sports organization celebrate 100 years of existence? Add in the glorious history, 24 Cups, the Hall of Famers, plus, they’re the first NHL team to make it to 100. When the Leafs turn 100, it will be the same thing. Even though I can’t stomach them, I’ll respect it.
Please have some respect Billy!! Emile “Butch” Bouchard had his jersey retired. He was a tower on the defence for the Habs for 15 years and a Captain for 8. His son is indeed Pierre Bouchard who was part of the Habs 70s dynasty.
Thanks for the correction. It will be fixed.
Oh, dear god, Greg Millen. Way too intense, but that’s kinda the problem with ex-goalies, but the worst thing about him, aside from the Toronto homerism, is that he cannot pronounce the name of the 2nd biggest city in the country. It is not called “Muncherall.”
But this brings up another issue, why is that the CBC allows this kind of Toronto-bias on its broadcasts. It’s one thing for Don Cherry, he’s an analyst, he’s not in the broadcast booth, but Bob Cole, Harry Neale, Greg Millen, etc. At least Danny Gallivan and Dick Irvin tried to be objective. I remember Cole at his best, a deep knowledge of the entire Toronto roster, as he should have, but no clue about the Habs, oftentimes referring to “the Montreal player.” This was especially amusing when that Montréal player was the Habs’ captain, Saku Koivu.
While I cannot (and I won’t) disagree with the homerism that MIllen et company have for the Leafs, the latest broadcaster that the CBC has trotted out is just as bad, Jim Hughson has a blatantly major bias for the west coast teams specifically the Canucks.
I have no problem with bias or homerism announcing, but only when it is an area specific broadcast. A sportsnet Leafs Region game or Leafs TV game? Go Nuts, Send out Bowen and Millen and have them go nuts over the Leafs. But during a national game? I just wish they could find someone with a favorite team (Albeit this is easier said then done).
I’ve got to disagree with you about a woman in the NBA. I think it could happen to somebody specialized – a dedicated three-point shooter or something of the like. Yes, there’s a lot of contact and yes, it’s hard to believe any woman could control the paint (especially given how three girls have ever dunked, as far as I remember).
But a woman coming off the bench as an outside shooter, where they could shy away from most of the contact? I can see that, maybe even in less then 10 years.
It’s a bit late to be asking for relief on the Canadiens celebrations. Friday’s game was the last televised event.
Oh, Millen is a complete moron. His idiocy can be documented at least as far back as local Ottawa Senators TV, where I believe he commenced his “broadcasting” “career”. Perhaps the NHL was going through a program to have players line up correctly when taking faceoffs, but every time the ref / linesman did not immediately get the play going, Millen had to screech “DROP THE PUCK”. Then incessantly discuss how no one was there to see the refs.
Second only to “Make The Final” in the list of habits for which announcers should be taken out to the woodshed.