A summary of the Montreal Canadiens

Well, the title says it all, I guess.

It is hockey season, and I am a Montrealer. For the record, I am not one of those eccentric fans who march in the streets wearing jerseys and painting their faces blue, white, and red. However, I do support my town's team. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you a summary of the Montreal Canadiens.

The Canadiens (Les Canadiens, Le Bleu-Blanc-Rouge, Les CH), also known has the Habs (Les Habitants), are a hockey team that is part of the Atlantic division in the Eastern Conference of the NHL (National Hockey League). It was founded in 1909, making it even older than the NHL, founded in 1917. They've won 24 Stanley Cups in total, the last one being in 1993 (fingers crossed for this year!).

Th Canadiens have had many amazing players, most notably "The Rocket", also known as Maurice Richard. He was the first player to score 50 goals in a season and the first to score 500 goals in total (he actually scored 544). He was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame inducted him in 1961, and when he retired in 1960, his sweater number (9) retired with him. It is said that the revolt caused by the anger of his being suspended was a precursor of the Quiet Revolution. He was also the first non-politician to be given a state funeral. I don't think that it's the fact that he was a good hockey player that makes him a legend, I think that it's what he represents for Montreal.

Moving on, some random facts:
The motto of the Canadiens is one of the lines of Flanders Fields (written the same year as the Habs won their first Stanley Cup) translated into French: Nos bras meurtris vous tendent le flambeau, à vous toujours de le porter bien haut. (To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high.)
Their mascot is named Youppi! and used to be a mascot for a baseball team.
I don't know any other random facts about them.

And finally, for those who don't watch hockey, you might ask what fun there is in it. After all, it's basically cheering when the puck moves to the opposing side and watching people bash each other senseless. However, cheering when the puck moves to the opposing side and watching people bash each other senseless is incredibly fun.

Well, that was only slightly disorganized. Today, Tampa Bay played against the Canadiens, ending in a tie (1-1). Have a nice day, and go Habs go!