My education on everything Habs and Hockey reached another level yesterday when I attended the NHL Draft, being held in my hometown of Montreal, Canada. The event itself was all right (I mean watching people getting called out to a podium for them to slap on a Jersey is nothing to a pop a boner over and Gainey aint doing shit so far), I was just happy to be kicking it in the Bell Center to be honest. Much like when I go on one of my nature inclined outings; I associate the Bell Center with me NOT working, me relaxing and me being HAPPY – so it’s always a treat to hit it.

One thing that stuck out for me in a bad way though was the lousy attitude of “some” and I say “some” (like 5%) of the audience members. I mean; is it okay to BOO staffers of opposing teams/countries that are visiting us during the draft? What does that make Montreal Hockey fans look like? Exactly.  It reminded me of that  Habs game I saw this year where “some” of the audience booed while the American National Anthem was sang. I was like WTF? I so dissagreed with that.

Just wanted to put this out there: Montreal loves Hockey and its team with a passion that I have yet to see matched anywhere else. I’m sure the fact that the Habs (and Maurice Richard) were one of the first steps as to French Quebec getting some respect has something to with that. The Richard Riot at the Old Forum in 1955 kind of began the quiet French Quebec revolution against the Anglo oppression.. So totally understandable that Hockey is a religion here and I’m, happy and proud to finally be part of it.

With that said; is booing rival teams’ national anthems, booing our own Goalie (Poor Price) or booing folks visiting Montreal under the NHL umbrella OUTSIDE of a game the way to go to communicate that passion? In my book: no.  Yes I’ll boo the rival team during a game and yell out “fuck you” to Refs who do bad calls – but that’s normal (in my opinion of course) behavior when watching live sport and rooting for your team. But going beyond that like some peeps do here…well… nough said. That’s it for me today! I needed to vent this out. I’m out of here!

by