Guest Banishing Blade Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 I hope Koivu never reads the article, as it's quite evident that Bertrand's only using Koivu as a pretext to voice his opinions. Koivu addresses the media as best he can, and in a language he feels comfortable in communicating with. What's funny is that (though this is only a gut feeling) if Koivu ever attempted to formulate a French sentence, I'm sure someone like Bertrand would roast him for butchering the language It's very unfortunate that he makes the utmost effort to help out a team with certain fans who seem to despise him, people who criticize him, and a team that hasn't been elite in who knows how long... you'd think that not only his on-ice play, but his extra-curricular actions, would gain him some respect... evidently, that can easily be disqualified due to not being able to speak French. My girlfriend was more upset with this article than I was, and she's a francophone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Miltie01 Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 I hope Koivu never reads the article, as it's quite evident that Bertrand's only using Koivu as a pretext to voice his opinions. Koivu addresses the media as best he can, and in a language he feels comfortable in communicating with. What's funny is that (though this is only a gut feeling) if Koivu ever attempted to formulate a French sentence, I'm sure someone like Bertrand would roast him for butchering the language It's very unfortunate that he makes the utmost effort to help out a team with certain fans who seem to despise him, people who criticize him, and a team that hasn't been elite in who knows how long... you'd think that not only his on-ice play, but his extra-curricular actions, would gain him some respect... evidently, that can easily be disqualified due to not being able to speak French. My girlfriend was more upset with this article than I was, and she's a francophone There are many" sports journalists" in Montreal who's agenda is something other than sports. Unfortunate, but true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cheerio279 Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 what a load of bullspit... this guy is a complete radical! "I have the right to be served in my language," he said. yes that is your right, but last time I checked hockey players "serve" people by playing good hockey and winning on the ice... speaking to the public is not exactly a requirement of their service, it's something they choose to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest habs_fan1160 Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 There are many" sports journalists" in Montreal who's agenda is something other than sports. Unfortunate, but true. I should become fluent in French and get a sports journalist job in Montreal...I'll change the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest habs_fan1160 Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 what a load of bullspit... this guy is a complete radical! "I have the right to be served in my language," he said. yes that is your right, but last time I checked hockey players "serve" people by playing good hockey and winning on the ice... speaking to the public is not exactly a requirement of their service, it's something they choose to do. Well technically it's the Captain and Assistant Captain's jobs to address the media and such. But It's not really a service to the public, and also no where does it say "The Captain of (insert team), must speak the general language of the public they are addressing." Look how many people speak spanish in California - are those players expected to address the media in spanish just incase? The whole thing is redicilious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheFly Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news...f79&k=75632 people like this make me sad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest St. B. Voyageur Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I don't know if this should go in the Koivu thread, but found it... amusing. From http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news...f79&k=75632 I read some of the responses to this article and I think some are missing the point. A lot of Quebeckers don't speak English, and Quebec is still a francophone province. In some respects Koivu is snubbing his nose at francophone Quebeckers by choosing not to learn the language, I can certainly relate, if not agree, with the political discourse Bertrand is presenting. I live in St. Boniface, one of 7 original francophone métis communities in the new province of Manitoba confederated in 1870. Part of Manitoba's confederation included provisions guaranteeing francophone rights. However once English Canadian settlers outnumbered the French Canadiens, these provisions were removed, and for some time French was banned entirely from the school system here. In 1972 St. Boniface was amalgamated with Winnipeg. Since then the borders of St. Boniface have been changed thanks to real estate developers, and now the francophone community here is about 25% and most speak it as a very poor second language (like me). There are about 5-10 establishments in all of St. Boniface where you can speak French with the owners/employees. I grew up going to a french school where we used to chant "Lagimodière, c'est notre histoire", however no one in my family speaks french anymore. It doesn't take long to lose your language, take the aboriginal community as an example. I think to criticize Bertrand as a biggot for being an advocate of his language is equally bigotted IMO, not that I agree with his argument. On the topic of Koivu, I haven't said anything about our captain in a while. My 2 cents: I remember the dejection on Saku's face when he lost the gold medal game in Turino to Sweden. You had the feeling that he knew that was his chance to be a winner to earn the gold medal. Next time there will be no Teemu! no Teppo, and Saku will be a role player in all likelihood. But with that loss, I knew that Saku still had something to prove. He was dynamite against the Hurricanes in the playoffs, but we all know that tragic ending. Koivu wasn't able to lead Finland to Gold, but I am convinced he wholeheartedly wants to lead the Canadiens to the Glory, to lift Lord Stanley. A lot of people, english and french have questioned his leadership, but I will be among those cheering when the day comes that Saku proves his detractors wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheFly Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I read some of the responses to this article and I think some are missing the point. A lot of Quebeckers don't speak English, and Quebec is still a francophone province. In some respects Koivu is snubbing his nose at francophone Quebeckers by choosing not to learn the language, Saku Koivu can speak any language he wants, he's here to play hockey not service people as though he's in customer service. It's hard learning another language, he chose to learn English, a language that can benefit him playing around the league and travelling around the world. If I hadnt spoke english and was drafted by the habs, the first language I would learn woulb be english as it is a universal language. At this point in his life why would he want to try to learn french. It's hockey, not politics, sports should not be used to spread political propaganda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JIMVINNY Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I read some of the responses to this article and I think some are missing the point. A lot of Quebeckers don't speak English, and Quebec is still a francophone province. In some respects Koivu is snubbing his nose at francophone Quebeckers by choosing not to learn the language, I think it's pretty judgemental of you to take his not learning french as a snub. For all you know, he's tried. I don't think it's anyone's place to assume what kind of thoughts are going through his head. With what he's been through in his life, i would think that learning a new language would be not too high on his list of priorities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest St. B. Voyageur Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I think it's pretty judgemental of you to take his not learning french as a snub. For all you know, he's tried. I don't think it's anyone's place to assume what kind of thoughts are going through his head. With what he's been through in his life, i would think that learning a new language would be not too high on his list of priorities. I don't care if he learns french, I said in some respects, meaning some can interpret it, not necessarily I think that...Thank you... Koivu said when interviewed last year on Au Dessus de la Mélée about speaking french that he regretted that he hadn't learned the language, that it was somewhat lazy on his part. Personally my favorite response to this whole unnecessary debate was Gainey's when he said that maybe (Koivu) should spend more time with his wife (who speaks French fluently)...To me this is not a serious issue, but it sure gets people's backs up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anakin Skywalker Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Kovalev scores ! Sorry, I thought I was in the subject of the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1970 Habs Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Kovalev scores ! Sorry, I thought I was in the subject of the game. At least you are talking about players and them playing hockey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest habs_fan1160 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I thought Koivu played a good game tonight...good to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The_Hockey_Specialist Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news...f79&k=75632 people like this make me sad Can I say something in regards to this man? I'm perfectly bilingual and am of french canadian origins and he DOES not speak for my 'people'. I feel that these type of comments/outburts are clearly racist, in the general direction of non-french canadians and towards non-french people in Quebec. This man is not enlightened and to tell you the truth, should kindly shut up and go away. Saku Koivu has been a great captain this last decade. While not the most outspoken of individuals in regards of the media (and who would with these clowns finding way to complain over nothing) he's been the heart of the team. His fight with cancer has inspired many. He does a lot of charity and he's a great player that I hope one day will get linemates that will compliment him, he can easily make 80-100 points a season if he was on a line with someone who can consistently finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sask-Habs-Fan Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 This stuff will never stop until the Francophone's get Koivu out of here and a french captain replaces him, he wants to talk about Lack of Respect? Please, what he is saying is as big a slap in the face to Koivu as any, a slap to the guy who has willingly stuck through years of complete failure, years where I can only imagine where we would have ended if we didn't have Koivu on the team. This guy needs to stick to his politics and his constitutions, while he's at it he can stop watching the Habs and wait for Les Nordiques to come back. ya just imagine where this franchise would have been without saku the past decade, guess the guy doesnt care about that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MTL_HABS_24 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 To me Koivu doesn't look very good so far this season. Some nights he has been almost invisible. I hope there's no conflicts in the dressing room now that Kovalev has decided to carry the team on his shoulders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hermesfani Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news...f79&k=75632 people like this make me sad What an idiot that lawyer is. So ridiculous comment that I can find no words to describe what I think.. And, the native language of Koivu's wife is Finnish!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roy_133 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 To me Koivu doesn't look very good so far this season. Some nights he has been almost invisible. I hope there's no conflicts in the dressing room now that Kovalev has decided to carry the team on his shoulders. Saku is still leading our team in scoring, so I don't think saying that 27 is carrying the team on his shoulders is a fair statement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Renko Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I hope Koivu never has to address this issue in a public forum again. Its embarrassing and it casts a bad shadow on the city of Montreal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greek Hab Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Team990, right now, PJ Stock is just ripping this lawyer guy. He is so peeved. It's great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jennifer_rocket Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Team990, right now, PJ Stock is just ripping this lawyer guy. He is so peeved. It's great Go P.J. Can't wait to see some "Stock talk" tonight on the CBC. Also, yeah, that's ridiculous. It seems in the past few months this issue of reasonable accomadation has been becoming more of a spotlight in Quebec news. Let's hope they leave hockey out of it. Go Koivu! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dt9999 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I find it comical that crackpot politicians like Pauline Marois wanted nothing to do with sports when it came to saving the Nordiques and the Expos yet feel the need to put in their 2 cents on a topic like that... talk about trying to score cheap political points on the back of a guy who has been nothing but good for the city he plays in. Pauline, trust me: you've got much bigger things to worry about than Saku Koivu's education level which incidentally (much like his level of class and decency) is infinitely higher than yours. He speaks three languages fluently, you have trouble mastering one of the official languages of your own country (whether you like it or not). pathetic... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greek Hab Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Go P.J. Can't wait to see some "Stock talk" tonight on the CBC. Also, yeah, that's ridiculous. It seems in the past few months this issue of reasonable accomadation has been becoming more of a spotlight in Quebec news. Let's hope they leave hockey out of it. Go Koivu! Hey Jen, just wondering...CBC you say, I'm checking my schedule on my Rogers cable and I don't see "Stock Talk" anywhere. Mind you, I'm in Ontario...am I able to get it? Or I am not looking in the right place? Also what time is it usually on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevesaku Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 honestly, i feel stupid for this guy. he makes it seem as if quebec is a communist country. koivu has the right to speak whatever language he wants, and poor saku, heavy lies the crown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Blockoman Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Ugh. What the heck is the Parti Quebecois doing? Bertrand saying the Habs have to learn French... does he not know what kind of impact that would have on the team? Think about it. We try to sign a deal with a free agent that could really help us, but he does not want to come here because of the imposition of the French language. This, in turn, would just make the team worse and worse as free agents go to other teams (like Toronto). Fans would eventually associate this decline with Pauline Marois, and that won't do wonders for her popularity. Saku, hopefully common sense will prevail and this will all blow over. Please don't go somewhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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