Daily Archives: January 25, 2009

Random Notes from Montreal

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  • Everyone knows everyone here and everyone loves the NHL. The Canadiens all wear their colors with pride;
  • Montreal rocks. It has a very European feel; great food and really happy and welcoming people. I get recognized here for owning the Capitals as much as I do in DC. Many folks here love the Caps. Many people have told me we are their second favorite team in the league;
  • Ovechkin jerseys are everywhere. Alex is everywhere. He is the star of the show and the weekend. He eats this stuff up. He is, I believe, the most popular player in the NHL right now based on his charisma and talent. His outfit in the breakaway challenge was all the talk at the parties here on Saturday night. He tries to fire up the crowd and people love it here;
  • It is freezing and when the wind blows if feels like razors scratching your face. It is muddy and wet. And let me say it again, IT IS REALLY COLD;
  • We met a bunch of NHL players in cafes and/or eating establishments: Jeff Carter, Keith Tkachuk, Roberto Luongo, Steve Stamkos and Carey Price. They were all classy, professional and all very nice and happy to be at the All-Star game;
  • Rod Langway signing autographs at the Jamboree today. Long lines everywhere;
  • The Young Stars game was pretty uninteresting. I was surprised that Carey Price played in it. I gulped once when he went down and struggled to get up;
  • The bagels here are tasty and the dollar is finally stronger again to the Canadian dollar so things all seem affordable once again;
  • Zdeno Chara’s slap shot was historic. How would you like to be a goaltender when he is lining up that cannon? Wow. He was wearing a Right To Play hat all weekend too;
  • Several members of the media noting the irony to me of the Tampa team sending two players to the All-Star game and the Caps only sending one comparing our record to their record. Vinny Lecavalier was being wooed to come to Montreal by every citizen here. His photo was on the front page of the newspaper on Saturday. The city and local media should be fined for tampering. :-) When he speaks French, the city swoons;
  • Montreal citizens are very knowledgeable about their hockey history and their arena really creates an aura of tradition and championships past to build off of the pedigree of their Hall of their Fame players;
  • The sponsors and families here all seem to be having a great time. Glad we came.