MONTREAL, QC.– He calls himself an “unemployed winner” and speaks about tiger blood and mercury surfboard. We are witnessing a public meltdown of epic proportions, and all the while, Charlie Sheen tries to convince us that his brand is “winning.”
But being rabid sports fans, we know more than a little about that topic. Most of us have tasted success at some level either directly or living vicariously. And our memories are filled with heroes that don’t make us turn away.
In stark contrast, Doug Gilmour is a true winner.
Montreal Canadiens fans still feel the sting of watching Gilmour wearing the sweater of the Calgary Flames skate a lap at the Montreal Forum with the Stanley Cup raised over his head on May 25, 1989. Gilmour scored two goals in the third period of game six against the Habs, including the game and Cup winner. Gilmour’s performance allowed the Flames to become the only visiting team to win the Stanley Cup on Canadiens’ home ice.
The memory is a painful one for Habs fans, but years later, they were more than willing to welcome number 93 into the fold.
On September 6, 2001, Canadiens captain Saku Koivu was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma and missed almost the entire 2001-2002 season. Exactly one month later, General Manager Andre Savard signed unrestricted free agent Doug Gilmour to fill the void. Gilmour provided veteran leadership to a team without its captain.
A mentor, a character guy in the locker room, and a player with unmatched intensity on the ice were some of the hallmarks of Gilmour’s career.
Some may recall a frustrated Gilmour shattering the glass when slamming the penalty-gate, restraining an irrate Savard after Richard Zednik was almost decapitated by the Bruins Kyle McLaren, and providing counsel to a youthful head coach Michel Therrien.
In the 2002 playoffs with fans and the media calling to match the Bruins goon tactics, and Therrien leaning that way himself, it was Gilmour who was the voice of reason.
“To beat the Bruins, we have to stick to playing hockey and only playing hockey,” said Gilmour.
His advice still holds true today.
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These days, Gilmour is the head coach of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. He is also a spokesperson for “Bring Home a Stanley Cup Champion.”
I was fortunate this week to pose a few questions to Gilmour about his current projects. I am pleased to share a brief video clip of his responses with you.
Doug Gilmour may have been part of one of the more distressing times in Canadiens history. But we’re interested in your pleasant memories.
Describe your favourite Stanley Cup playoffs moment by video or in writing (as a comment below) and you will be automatically entered into an All Hab’s contest for a $50 prize package from Gatorade, Pepsi Max, and Lay’s Potato Chips.
Don’t delay! This contest is only open until 11:59 PM (EST) on Sunday, March 27, 2011.
Contest winners must have a Canadian mailing address. Participants must be 13 years of age or older. Prizes must be accepted as awarded; no substitutions. Submissions become the property of All Habs Hockey Magazine. Videos can be sent to allhabs [at] gmail [dot] com.
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You also can win an opportunity to spend time with Gilmour. He could be arriving at your home with the Stanley Cup in tow to watch a May playoff game with you, your family and friends. The contest winner will also receive a prize package that includes a new home theater system.
Follow the link for more details to enter the contest: Bring Home a Stanley Cup Champion
(photo by Getty)
Friday April 24, 1998
My wife and I were living in New Zealand and I had seen very few hockey games in the year and a half we had been there. SkyTv was quite expensive and really beyond our means at the time. What was even worse, I had seen only one Habs game in all that time. So on Friday afternoon I was home because it was school holidays and Game 1 of the Montreal – Pittsburg series came on. I was supposed to be helping get ready for our friends coming over but instead I was glued to the tv. For the overtime, I was on my knees leaning over the coffee table. I’m sure my infant daughter learned some new words that day – to this day, swear jar fines are not applicable during Canadiens’ games – but our heroes won and the joy that followed lasted for over a week. To see a game was great but to make it a bleu blanc rouge OT playoff victory was what makes it my most memorable Stanley Cup Playoff moment.
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