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Serge Savard, canadien jusqu'au bout
Depuis ses premiers matchs disputés sur une patinoire de fortune à Landrienne, en Abitibi, où il a passé son enfance, Serge Savard a été animé par une seule passion: celle du hockey. Dans ce récit biographique, l’athlète et homme d’affaires qui a évolué au sein de l’organisation du Canadien de Montréal pendant 33 ans nous entraîne dans les coulisses d’une carrière plus grande que nature. Sous la plume habile du journaliste Philippe Cantin, il revient sur les moments forts, les hauts comme les bas, qui l’ont façonné comme joueur – de ses années d’apprentissage en tant que recrue jusqu’à sa retraite du Canadien – et, plus tard, comme directeur général du club. Cet ouvrage captivant et abondamment documenté dresse le portrait de la riche histoire du hockey au Québec à travers la vie d’un homme qui en a été l’un des témoins les plus privilégiés.
- GenresSportsHockeyNonfiction
484 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 2, 2021
A fabulous read.
May 20, 2021
There's a lot of stuff missing from here that should be included, and a lot of stuff that was included shouldn't have been.
For instance, there's a lot of talk about politics in the first third of the book, so I thought it would play a large role later on. It didn't.
The Cup run in 1993 feels like it was glossed over. He didn't mention all the overtime wins, for example. But there was a lot of talk about his time growing up.
There's a lot of focus about how the Habs should be drafting more Quebec-born players, but neglects to mention there's not a lot of great French-born players to be drafted. He focused quite a bit on the 83 and 84 entry drafts and how it was important to get those Quebec-born players and how that was a big deal. But he neglects to mention how that strategy probably hurt the team in later drafts. In 1985, for example, Montreal drafted Jose Charbonneau, Martin Desjardins and Donald Dufresne. In 1986, they drafted Benoit Brunet, Eric Aubertin, Mario Milani, Rick Hayward and Eric Bohemier from the Q. In 1987, they had Desjardins, but whiffed on Francois Gravel and Eric Tremblay. In 1988, they drafted QMJHL players with their first three picks and four of their first six. None of them amounted to anything. In 1989, Montreal drafted six QMJHL players, and Patrice Brisebois is the only one to play more than 100 games. After 1984, the team routinely missed on Quebec-born players (although they didn't draft well from other leagues either).
He thinks the Habs should keep drafting Quebec-born players, but it doesn't make sense. In 2015, should the Habs have focused on Jeremy Roy, Gabriel Gagne or Nicolas Meloche simply because of where they were born? Why limit yourself?
The same could be said of his trades. I'm left wondering if he traded Claude Lemieux for Sylvain Turgeon because Turgeon was Quebec-born. Did he trade Chelios for Savard because Savard was Quebec-born? Same with Damphousse (although he won that trade)?
I also wish they would have mentioned something about whether he was interested in becoming a GM elsewhere. It was briefly mentioned about the Sens, but he admitted he wasn't ready. With such a great track record, you think other teams would have inquired over the years.
I feel like he didn't really take responsibility for anything bad that ever happened, either in his playing career or as GM.
I had to put this book down about 170 pages in and take a break for a few weeks. It should have been more interesting, but it was lacking.
For instance, there's a lot of talk about politics in the first third of the book, so I thought it would play a large role later on. It didn't.
The Cup run in 1993 feels like it was glossed over. He didn't mention all the overtime wins, for example. But there was a lot of talk about his time growing up.
There's a lot of focus about how the Habs should be drafting more Quebec-born players, but neglects to mention there's not a lot of great French-born players to be drafted. He focused quite a bit on the 83 and 84 entry drafts and how it was important to get those Quebec-born players and how that was a big deal. But he neglects to mention how that strategy probably hurt the team in later drafts. In 1985, for example, Montreal drafted Jose Charbonneau, Martin Desjardins and Donald Dufresne. In 1986, they drafted Benoit Brunet, Eric Aubertin, Mario Milani, Rick Hayward and Eric Bohemier from the Q. In 1987, they had Desjardins, but whiffed on Francois Gravel and Eric Tremblay. In 1988, they drafted QMJHL players with their first three picks and four of their first six. None of them amounted to anything. In 1989, Montreal drafted six QMJHL players, and Patrice Brisebois is the only one to play more than 100 games. After 1984, the team routinely missed on Quebec-born players (although they didn't draft well from other leagues either).
He thinks the Habs should keep drafting Quebec-born players, but it doesn't make sense. In 2015, should the Habs have focused on Jeremy Roy, Gabriel Gagne or Nicolas Meloche simply because of where they were born? Why limit yourself?
The same could be said of his trades. I'm left wondering if he traded Claude Lemieux for Sylvain Turgeon because Turgeon was Quebec-born. Did he trade Chelios for Savard because Savard was Quebec-born? Same with Damphousse (although he won that trade)?
I also wish they would have mentioned something about whether he was interested in becoming a GM elsewhere. It was briefly mentioned about the Sens, but he admitted he wasn't ready. With such a great track record, you think other teams would have inquired over the years.
I feel like he didn't really take responsibility for anything bad that ever happened, either in his playing career or as GM.
I had to put this book down about 170 pages in and take a break for a few weeks. It should have been more interesting, but it was lacking.
December 19, 2020
I would have given this 4.5 stars if I had the option. A very thorough biography of Serge Savard, a key player for the Montreal Canadiens in their glory days of the 1970s, the General Manager of their last two Stanley Cup winning teams, and a successful businessman off the ice. Originally published in French, the translation into English is excellent and very smooth. The author does an excellent job depicting Savard's upbringing in Northern Quebec in the 40s and 50s, as well as his days as a teenager moving to Montreal to play junior hockey in what was then an elaborate farm system for the Canadiens. His playing and managerial career is also well covered, a time when the Canadiens were still one of the elite teams in the NHL. Because the Cup teams of the 70s were my teams as a kid, I was looking for a little more detail and insight into that era that Cantin provided. He did go into more detail into Savard's years as GM, which is makes sense since this is when Cantin started covering the team for LaPresse. I found that Cantin went into more off-ice stories than on-ice, which is something the French media in Montreal is more wont to do than the English sports media. Overall, Savard comes across as an extremely classy individual whose commitment to the Canadiens organization was something strong that has lasted even after being let go as GM. Highly recommended for Habs fans of the 60s-90s era, and really for any hockey fan. Very well written and interesting.
December 12, 2020
Serge Savard Forever Canadien
By Philippe Cantin
2020
See my blog post: https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/1080...
A good book but there seemed to be a bigger story than somehow did not get told. Perhaps it is just me. Growing up watching a young Savard play – remember the broken bones, THE Slap, the wins, the Summit Series and the stupidity at the end ALL too well.
The Summit series felt like life and death; our system and democracy versus communism and totalitarianism – was this an overreach? Surely but to 10 year old boys it did not seem so. For all the fans that followed those eight games, the Series remains a precious and indelible memory. Did not realize that Savard played in our 4 victories and the tie and sat out the other three, including the first loss in Montreal. That is kind of cool.
For instance, Savard, like his father before him was involved in politics. He would support George Hees, a flamboyant politician was not only handsome and a former athlete but also a World War II veteran and ex-minister in the Diefenbaker cabinet. Hees lost, in part, because of the Munsinger Affair – Gerda Mussinger was a German immigrant suspected of being a spy for the Eastern Bloc – still clung to him. Weren’t all Eastern Europeans suspected of something? In any event, this is an example of Savard not always backing winners but going with his gut and value system; it often served him well, but not always. We see this later in his career as well.
Some other interesting notes include:
• 175: Montreal-Matin’s competitor was the Journal de Montreal founded by Pierre Peladeau. The dynamic businessman asked Beauchamp if he would like to run the sports section of his publication. It was a good time to approach the noted journalist, who was in the midst of difficult salary negotiations with his employer, the Union National. The Political party owned Montreal-Matin, which was a formidable communications tool and a significant source of revenue.
• 352: As they left Montreal by car on their way to Chicoutimi, Serge and Boudrias rendezvoused with Burns in the parking lot of a restaurant in Drummondville, an ideal meeting place since Burns was heading up from Sherbrooke. The three men talked hockey as the made the long trip to the land of the Bleuets (“the blueberries”), as the Lac-Saint-Jean region is known
• 393: Personally, I know that Carbonneau wasn’t giving the one-finger salute to the fans, but to the photographer. He didn’t feel like dealing with him on a golf course.
• 426: It felt good to hear my ex-boss point out that I had one of the best records in the National Hockey League as a general manager. Obviously, I wasn’t perfect. I’ve made some mistakes. But people who don’t make decisions never make mistakes.
Those Canadiens got us a day off school seemingly every year to go to the parade. If you missed one, there was always next year. Now, they want us to get excited if we can almost make the playoffs.
Regular people can’t afford to go to games – millionaires fight with billionaires – and the media laps it up. However Savard remains the cagey and thoughtful veteran – a man whose hockey nose and business acumen the Canadiens have sorely missed. As Savard ponders: “But today, and I say this with some disappointment, I sometimes get a strange feeling: that my loyalty to the Molsons was stronger than their loyalty to me.” He is right. The Canadiens and the fans have paid a price for this lack of hockey and business savvy.
As for Savard, we wish Serge well and we will close with his wise words: “I’ve never been afraid of tomorrow. I’ve never had a master plan for my life. I’ve always responded to opportunities. And I knew that if I worked hard, they would present themselves.”
Merci Serge,
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
By Philippe Cantin
2020
See my blog post: https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/1080...
A good book but there seemed to be a bigger story than somehow did not get told. Perhaps it is just me. Growing up watching a young Savard play – remember the broken bones, THE Slap, the wins, the Summit Series and the stupidity at the end ALL too well.
The Summit series felt like life and death; our system and democracy versus communism and totalitarianism – was this an overreach? Surely but to 10 year old boys it did not seem so. For all the fans that followed those eight games, the Series remains a precious and indelible memory. Did not realize that Savard played in our 4 victories and the tie and sat out the other three, including the first loss in Montreal. That is kind of cool.
For instance, Savard, like his father before him was involved in politics. He would support George Hees, a flamboyant politician was not only handsome and a former athlete but also a World War II veteran and ex-minister in the Diefenbaker cabinet. Hees lost, in part, because of the Munsinger Affair – Gerda Mussinger was a German immigrant suspected of being a spy for the Eastern Bloc – still clung to him. Weren’t all Eastern Europeans suspected of something? In any event, this is an example of Savard not always backing winners but going with his gut and value system; it often served him well, but not always. We see this later in his career as well.
Some other interesting notes include:
• 175: Montreal-Matin’s competitor was the Journal de Montreal founded by Pierre Peladeau. The dynamic businessman asked Beauchamp if he would like to run the sports section of his publication. It was a good time to approach the noted journalist, who was in the midst of difficult salary negotiations with his employer, the Union National. The Political party owned Montreal-Matin, which was a formidable communications tool and a significant source of revenue.
• 352: As they left Montreal by car on their way to Chicoutimi, Serge and Boudrias rendezvoused with Burns in the parking lot of a restaurant in Drummondville, an ideal meeting place since Burns was heading up from Sherbrooke. The three men talked hockey as the made the long trip to the land of the Bleuets (“the blueberries”), as the Lac-Saint-Jean region is known
• 393: Personally, I know that Carbonneau wasn’t giving the one-finger salute to the fans, but to the photographer. He didn’t feel like dealing with him on a golf course.
• 426: It felt good to hear my ex-boss point out that I had one of the best records in the National Hockey League as a general manager. Obviously, I wasn’t perfect. I’ve made some mistakes. But people who don’t make decisions never make mistakes.
Those Canadiens got us a day off school seemingly every year to go to the parade. If you missed one, there was always next year. Now, they want us to get excited if we can almost make the playoffs.
Regular people can’t afford to go to games – millionaires fight with billionaires – and the media laps it up. However Savard remains the cagey and thoughtful veteran – a man whose hockey nose and business acumen the Canadiens have sorely missed. As Savard ponders: “But today, and I say this with some disappointment, I sometimes get a strange feeling: that my loyalty to the Molsons was stronger than their loyalty to me.” He is right. The Canadiens and the fans have paid a price for this lack of hockey and business savvy.
As for Savard, we wish Serge well and we will close with his wise words: “I’ve never been afraid of tomorrow. I’ve never had a master plan for my life. I’ve always responded to opportunities. And I knew that if I worked hard, they would present themselves.”
Merci Serge,
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
November 25, 2024
4.5
"Canadien jusqu'au bout" (et pourra-t-on dire, canadien avant tout). Quel super titre!
Un excellent recueil (un peu long...) de péripéties candides relatant la vie d'un homme d'une grande classe du hockey moderne, respecté autant par ses alliés que par ses adversaires. Un homme qui en a accompli tant comme joueur, directeur général et philantrope, veillant constamment aux legs sportifs et sociaux-communautaires. Parfois insistant, souvant intransigeant et toujours persévérant. Bien que son parcours de gestionnaire sportif fut mitigé, le fait qu'il fut "banni" par son Club pendant plusieurs décennies en révèle plus sur les dirigeants en place que sur le personnage. Il a été à l'avant-garde de la flambée des salaires des professionnels de la LNH et aussi de la prévention des blessures graves et évitables. La voix de la raison du CH, il n'aura jamais oublié ses origines tout au long de sa carrière sinueuse.
Je conclus sur cette citation bien à point : "Un être parfait en est un qui ne prend jamais de décision."
"Canadien jusqu'au bout" (et pourra-t-on dire, canadien avant tout). Quel super titre!
Un excellent recueil (un peu long...) de péripéties candides relatant la vie d'un homme d'une grande classe du hockey moderne, respecté autant par ses alliés que par ses adversaires. Un homme qui en a accompli tant comme joueur, directeur général et philantrope, veillant constamment aux legs sportifs et sociaux-communautaires. Parfois insistant, souvant intransigeant et toujours persévérant. Bien que son parcours de gestionnaire sportif fut mitigé, le fait qu'il fut "banni" par son Club pendant plusieurs décennies en révèle plus sur les dirigeants en place que sur le personnage. Il a été à l'avant-garde de la flambée des salaires des professionnels de la LNH et aussi de la prévention des blessures graves et évitables. La voix de la raison du CH, il n'aura jamais oublié ses origines tout au long de sa carrière sinueuse.
Je conclus sur cette citation bien à point : "Un être parfait en est un qui ne prend jamais de décision."
January 17, 2021
One of the best hockey books I have ever read. Serge tells it like it is. He shows his strengths and his weaknesses. Tells what it was like as a player and a GM. Incredible inside information about being a GM. Also admits mistakes he made as a GM on some trades and why he did so. I highly recommend this book for all Habs fans and any hockey fans. The thinking Serge but much more open, revealing and honest than Ken Dryden for example.
January 24, 2020
Excellent. Grandement apprécié ce livre sur M. Savard. Les différentes anecdotes sont intéressantes et apportent de la lumière sur certaines situations du CH auxquelles nous avons assisté au fils des années. J'ai bien aimé celle sur les raisons qui ont amené l'échange de Chris Chelios entre autre. M. Cantin a une très bonne plume et le tout est écrit de façon claire et qui sert à bien pouvoir se concentrer sur la lecture. J'ai également appris plusieurs choses sur M. Savard et les gens qu'il a côtoyé tout au long de sa carrière. Le seul bémol que je pourrais apporter est que si vous vous attendez à lire à propos de conflits, chicanes ou d'autres situations négatives envers certaines personnes, vous n'en trouverai que très peu. Il est clair que M. Savard a voulu se concentrer sur les aspects positifs de sa carrière et l'auteur a suivi la consigne. Mais ceci étant dit, très bon livre. Félicitation à l'auteur ainsi qu'à M. Savard.
September 5, 2023
L’une des meilleures biographies québécoises que j’ai lues. Le propos est nuancé et écrit dans un style fluide. Serge Savard s’est ouvert sans compromis et, surtout, sans orgueil à l’auteur. Les pages se tournent d’elles-mêmes.
July 9, 2024
outstanding book capturing the life and times of Serge Savard on & off the ice. honesty and insight make for an excellent read
January 4, 2020
C’est un ouvrage spectaculaire permettant de retracer son enfance en Abitibi, ses débuts comme joueurs de hockey et l’époque de la dynastie des Canadiens. Il relate des histoires inconnues du public. Il est encore plus intéressant de comprendre ses décisions alors qu’il était dg de l’équipe. C’est une biographie truffée d’anecdotes pertinentes pour tout fan de hockey. Il n’hésite pas à mentionner ses regrets et aussi ses erreurs. On comprend que Savard est un homme d’exception, qui fera à jamais partie de l’histoire des Canadiens de Montréal. Son départ est la plus grande erreur que l’équipe a pu connaître. A lire absolument par tout partisan du CH!
December 3, 2019
Ce livre est une lecture intéressante, sans être renversante. J'ai aimé lire sur la carrière dont joueur que je n'ai pas connu, mais dont la réputation de directeur général des Canadiens est légendaires. J'aurais préféré plus d'anecdotes ''terrain'' et une meilleure précision dans la description des événements, bien que le livre se lit très bien et l'histoire soit fluide. En somme, une bonne lecture pour les fans de la grande époque des Canadiens!
November 27, 2019
Pour en apprendre un peu plus sur ce grand homme du CH et quelques potins....
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews