My name is Louise and I am a Montreal sports fan. I am first and foremost a hockey fan and, of course, I love my Habs. I have always felt this passion for sports for as long as I can remember. I have seen all the great players like Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Jean Béliveau, Henri Richard, Jacques Plante, Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson, Serge Savard and Guy Lafleur to name just a few. I used to go to games at the old Forum, where I stood up the entire game. I have seen all the greats play, from Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Bobby Hull, Brad Park to the more modern day stars, Gretzky, Lemieux, Crosby and Ovechkin. I have witnessed each as they attempt to overcome the well known Forum’s ghosts and fabulous hockey players wearing the Canadiens bleu-blanc-rouge. I have enjoyed so many Stanley Cup victories, each more special then the previous. I know, it has been a while since the Habs won one. But every year, with each new season, myself and thousands of Montreal fans always find reasons to hope and believe that next year will indeed be THE year. Like many other Montrealers, my passion has no boundaries when it comes to hockey. It might very well be why we are so demanding with our local teams and athletes, victory being the only option. We are so furious when our expectations aren’t met. We become so vindictive towards those with equal passion for the sport. And so hurt when our Habs fall short like has been the case this year. We aren’t shy in telling others how we feel. We burst into frantic applauds when we are happy and boo when the performances are not up to our standards. After all, in Montreal, the city is hockey. And yes standards are high because of all the great traditions that were brought in by some of the greatest players of all time.

When summer comes, I follow the Alouettes in football and the incredible Impact in soccer. Boxing is great in Montreal too. And so are those wonderful car races. Nascar will be here this summer. And word is that Bernie Ecclestone, under contructor’s pressure, is trying hard to cut a deal with Montreal in order to bring back Formula 1 in the city next year. And of course, I love to follow all the hockey news in the offseason. I think this is one of the most interesting times with the NHL draft, free agency, personnel movements, clubs’ sales etc. And this summer, in Montreal, will prove to be a very interesting one for sure.

Louise