Day: March 13, 2018

The Galchenyuk moment (2015)

— Now passed! Raw talent is not enough ____________________ Note to readers: In 2021, Alex Galchenyuk was suddenly back in the news as a promising  acquisition for the Leafs. This comes after a bumpy three years spent among multiple NHL teams. Early in 2015, the young Canadiens  star seemed to be emerging as a terrific…

The ‘phénomène Gainey’ hits France (1989)

In July 1989, Bob Gainey shocked the North American hockey world by announcing he was leaving the big time, the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens, for a position as player-coach of a team called the Squirrels – les Ecureuils – in Epinal.

For a player who has tasted virtually every top-level honor the NHL offers – Stanley Cup champion, Canadiens captain, all-star and multiple trophy winner – Gainey’s decision might seem like a big step into the unknown.