By Michael Calcutt, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
POINTE-CLAIRE, QC. — Les Habitans, la Sainte-flannel, le Blue-Blanc-Rouge, the Habs, les Canadiens these words bring chills to most Montreal fans. When you are a born Montrealer, or a resident of the fair city, your life is filled with images and memories that are intrinsically tied to the team. When you were lucky enough, as I was in the in the late ’70’s, to experience a period of Canadiens dominance. A time of glory when the team was superior to any of the also-rans, you can not help but be a devoted supporter. This love increases as you delve deeper into the rich history of the team and what the CH means, not only to the NHL, but to the city and the province as a whole.
Most iconic franchises will have a following that transcends their location. Much like the Yankees in baseball, the Canadiens logo is known throughout many parts of the world. In some areas it is the only hockey logo that is recognized, thus is the legacy of the being the most successful team ever. On a more local stage, any Hab fan who has watched the team in a venue in Western Canada can see that the fan base is immense. There are so many supporters that it is difficult to tell the home team from the visitors.
This fanaticism is easily understood as there was a time when there were only two Canadian franchises. Many chose to follow the more successful Canadiens instead of the second-rate Leafs. This western fandom increased as many fans moved from the greater Montreal area in the 1970s to establish their lives out west. These are all logical explanations for the support in other parts of our country, and foreign lands, but what about south of the border? How many fans are there in the New England and New York area? It would seem logical that people in those areas would be Bruin, Ranger, Devils or even Islander fans before the Habs. Even on enemy soil there are exceptions. There is a healthy Canadiens community in these areas.
The eastern portion of upstate New York is a hotbed of Bruin fans. The closer you get to Beantown the more prevalent the black and gold. Although the bear roars the loudest, there are pockets of Habs support mingled in with the foes. One such place is Tupper Lake, NY, a quaint community 55 kilometers from Lake Placid. Although located only a few hours from Montreal, the Habs are not the number one team in the area.
One of our loyal readers Royce Cole, who hails form the area explained that most pester him about not cheering for an American based team. Undaunted by this local pressure, he has followed the Habs for most of his life. Like most fans, the history and tradition of the team pulled him deeper into the true meaning of being a Canadiens follower. Cole confirms that there is a healthy following around his area and there are groups that gather to watch the games on Saturday nights. The red white and blue is doing well in the Adirondacks!
“We are about two-and-a-half hours away from Montreal. I am 37 and have been a Habs fan from as long as I can remember. Every Saturday night Hockey Night in Canada was on the television and I was glued to it. I also play hockey and my all time favorite player is Patrick Roy! I always get asked how can you like a team that’s not even American? My answer is I have followed the Habs for a long time and have learned the rich tradition this club has. It is a first class organization and the fans are like none other. I also can say that Americans play on the team so why cant I cheer for them? I have a one-year old yellow lab who I named Price for obvious reasons.” — Royce in Tupper Lake, NY.
Further south you would expect a drop-off in the number of fans. When you approach the Washington, DC. area there should not be too many left. Not only are there several successful teams in the area, the hockey culture is relatively new, without any ties to the pre-expansion past. Yet even in this non-traditional market you can find those with the CH close to their heart. Fans like Steve Trapani who was not only poked at for loving the Habs but also for having an avid interest in hockey. He’s been hooked on the team since the 1980’s and even though his hometown Capitals took a central position among the leagues powerhouse teams for a few years his fandom never wavered. His spring is filled with images of Cup runs rather and chants of Olé, Olé rather than the crack of a bat.
“I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington DC. I’m 36 years-old and love the Canadiens. I have been a fan since 1986, yes, right when they won the Cup against the Flames. I started following hockey at about that age and one of the first games I watched was the Canadiens winning the Stanley Cup. While I was living in the DC area I did go to my fair share of Capitals games as a kid and I guess I was sort of a Caps fan too. However the more I watched hockey and got to know the Canadiens more over the years I grew to devote my love to just the Habs.
I became a huge Patrick Roy fan, and still am to this day. He is the reason I play hockey. The first Habs game I saw live was in 1991 at the Capital Center in Landover, Maryland. The Habs lost 4-3 but I will never forget that night. As my love for Roy and the Canadiens grew the 1993 Stanley Cup was the culmination, I was 15 years old and everyone at school had no idea who the Canadiens were. I was on an island with my fandom and it felt great at the time. I remember the day Patrick Roy was traded. I was heart wrenching but I vowed to stand by the Habs even without him there. I knew my fandom was greater than just one player.
I have been to (almost) every game the Habs have played in DC since 1991 (only missed four total.) I’ve also seen the Habs play in Philadelphia, however, I have never been to Montreal to see a game. It’s something I long to do and something that I know will absolutely blow me away once I finally do go. So here we are in 2014. The Habs are in the playoffs. My love of the team knows no bounds. I am the guy driving around the DC area with my Habs flag on my car. I’m the guy who has countless items of memorabilia in my basement and house: jerseys, pucks and pictures. There is no other team I would cheer for. While it’s hard to find other Habs fans in this area of the globe, there are some others around. In a way I wish I was surrounded by other like-minded Habs fans but at the same time its nice to feel unique and have a team that I can truly call my own.” — Steve in Fairfax, VA.
The truth is that winning attracts fans. Most of the fans in other countries bonded with the team during a particular cup run, or through the retelling of the dominance that was once associated with the Habs. People gravitate toward greatness and quality. The history of the club is littered with both elements.
Living in Montreal it is easy to take our team for granted. We have access to the Bell Centre, the Habs Hall of Fame and even the players, if we are lucky. When you see fans from far flung areas, have dreams of a pilgrimage to our city to bask in the place where the CH truly rules you realize how privileged a hockey fan you are.
As the Habs continue their cup run, and the games are broadcast not only nationally but on the NBC network in the US who knows how many new fans we will attract. These fans will not be converted by Beliveau, Lafleur or Roy but by Price, Subban and Gallagher. A new generation of fans poised to support a team that seems on the brink of greatness.
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