We Used To Be The Best Fans In The League

[Habcore]

Habs fans are/were known for being some of the very best fans in sports and why wouldn't we be, the habs are one of the greatest franchises in sports history. We hear it all the time "habs fans are knowledgeable and passionate about hockey and their team" and I agree we are, but seriously we're looking like a bunch of spoiled brats these last few years. The Montreal Canadiens and their fan base has built up this super natural professionalism thats respected by even our most hated rivals, we've done this by supporting our team through thick and thin and been rewarded with 24 stanley cups the most out of any team in the league.

The last few years select fans have been booing our players (Samsonov, Brisebois, Price, ect...), I know this is out of fustration I feel it too but these boo birds make the whole fan base look like a bunch of spoiled brats. What respect do we expect from our players when we show none back? How can we expect them to go out and play like warriors when we make em fell like they have no home fans? Do we seriously expect players (Free agents or draft picks) to want to come play in Montreal when we crap all over them? I know "These guys get paid millions they should produce if we support them or not!" but think about it, if you showed up to work everyday and are contantly picked on are you gonna be excited to get up in the morning and give it your all? I highly doubt it. Yes these players are living a dream but they are still people.

Booing ANY of our players ANYTIME! makes us the fans look like the worste fans a team can have. Is this what we want? I sure don't, there have been plenty of times that a players play or attitude has fustrated me but I am a fan of this team and will support any player that plays on it. If you won't do the same that why bother going to games? If your so pissed off to boo our team then place your loyalty elsewhere why waiste your time and energy? and yes booing one player on our team effects them all. I love this Franchise and even in tight times like these last few years I've held my head high, but it's getting harder when select fans make us fans in general look like a big joke.

Stop the Booing lets lift our players out of slumps with cheers and standing ovation, let's show the people that we can out cheer the boo birds and bring back that super natural feeling of being a habs fan. If we want a winning team lets stop making our players feel like losers!

/end rant

[Guest habs1952]

There are always a few people who ruin good things that everybody else enjoys.

[Kubby31]

Well said.

[ColRouleBleu]

I just read something on Bleachers Report that goes in line with what is being said here and what I also think. Link

The part that sums it best for me was this: "Sure, as a paying customer you have the right to boo if you want. I will not dispute that fact. But this is not about rights; it's about doing what is right."

[Kubby31]

it's about doing what is right."

+100

A quote from the story.

"I understand that people are passionate and want the Canadiens to win, but booing players, regardless of how well or poorly they play, does not help."

[roy_133]

Passion and intelligence seldom go hand in hand, especially when booze is added to that mix.

Carey is probably annoyed but he seemed cool with it, according to Gill after the game Carey said he wants to take it head on, he doesn't want to leave.

The fans were chanting his name before the game and if he's good next game they'll be chanting it again, until he's bad again. Last game I went to in Montreal Jaro started, struggled and they were chanting for Carey in the upper sections. It is what it is. If Carey develops into the goalie a lot think he can there will be a lot more positive chanting then negative.

Doing it in the preseason is probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard but I've only been alive for 22 years so I'm sure something will pass it.

[Kubby31]

Carey is probably annoyed but he seemed cool with it, according to Gill after the game Carey said he wants to take it head on, he doesn't want to leave.

Gill sure looked & sounded peed off.

Sure glad he stuck up for his teammate.

[Guest habs1952]

Passion and intelligence seldom go hand in hand, especially when booze is added to that mix.

Carey is probably annoyed but he seemed cool with it, according to Gill after the game Carey said he wants to take it head on, he doesn't want to leave.

The fans were chanting his name before the game and if he's good next game they'll be chanting it again, until he's bad again. Last game I went to in Montreal Jaro started, struggled and they were chanting for Carey in the upper sections. It is what it is. If Carey develops into the goalie a lot think he can there will be a lot more positive chanting then negative.

Doing it in the preseason is probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard but I've only been alive for 22 years so I'm sure something will pass it.

It is time for the Carey chanters to drown out the idiotic boo-birds. Maybe then the morons will shut up.

[Marcus-T]

Oh how I look forward to that first game where the roof lifts off the Bell Centre with that familiar chant,

"Carey! Carey! Carey! Carey! Carey! Carey!

Carey! Carey! Carey! Carey! Carey! Carey!

Carey! Carey! Carey! Carey! Carey!"

All will be forgiven and many things will be lifted. Confidence, Spirits and most importantly, Lord Stanley's Cup!

GO HABS GO!

Carey, we believe in you!

[hockey_gal89]

There are always a few people who ruin good things that everybody else enjoys.

THIS

[RSD]

Gill sure looked & sounded peed off.

Sure glad he stuck up for his teammate.

I think they're a pretty close-knit group in there and they can't stand it. They all looked/sounded disgusted/mad by the booing/heckling. The main thing is that it does not help the guy in the crease get better nor does it help light a fire under the team. There are stereotypes out there and the fans last night just played right into it. That rude behaviour isn't needed because it's not a good look for the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal, or Quebec.

[Big-Ted]

I am of the belief that fans have the right to boo or cheer as they see fit. If a player really isn't giving the effort he should, people paying $100 or even $300 a seat have the right to expect more. If the players and owners don't like it, then they should think about how much people invest in the team both monetarily and emotionally. I think most people would agree it's wrong to boo a kid or teenager who's playing for free and for the love of the sport, but a professional athlete has to at least produce an effort. I wouldn't boo a guy like Plekanec when he was struggling a couple of years ago, because the effort was still there. And I don't think Carey deserved to be booed for his performance last night, given that it was the first exhibition game and that by all accounts from the team, he has really stepped up his work ethic and dedication over the past year. But if a guy like AK46, for example, is clearly asleep at the wheel, then I believe it's alright to let him know that it's not okay. If a guy like MAB, who made the same mistakes repeatedly last year, turned the puck over 3-4 times in a row and did it game in game out, then frankly, he deserves to be booed. I gave MAB a chance when he first arrived, but he clearly did not show any improvement defensively and most importantly, did not seem to learn from his mistakes. To me, that represents a lack of commitment to improve, and booing him tells him that he needs to work on that and it tells the coach that we the fans expect more and express an opinion that we feel a change should be made if he is not able to play at an NHL level. I also cheered for MAB when he played well and I recognized when guys like AK, Pouliot, or MAB made good plays too. It's not a personal vendetta, it's just the only way sometimes that a fan can express his opinion. I wouldn't do the same thing to a guy playing his first few NHL games because there's an expected learning curve, but as I said, a veteran should know not to make the same mistakes over.

With respect to booing players on other teams, this is sometimes done with little class. Is there really a need to boo a player because he's talented? No. Is there really a need to boo a player who used to be a Hab just because he isn't any more? No. For example, I saw no reason why fans decided to boo Alex Kovalev last year. The guy was one of our best players and he loved the city and us fans, and it's not like he did anything to us. Circumstances saw that he didn't really have the chance to come back. I can understand more easily how a guy like Komisarek can be booed, because he lied to the media about his intentions and then jumped ship to our arch-enemies in a move that was likely motivated by money more than anything. And I can see how a guy like Ovechkin deserves to be booed because of how disrespectful he was to the flag boy in last year's playoffs and to our fans after he scored goals.

My point is that in the best of worlds, every one would get along and there would be no reason to boo anyone. And while I think this is sometimes done senselessly, I also believe there are times where booing is merited, either as a fairly benign form of expressing anger or displeasure or because the player does not deserve our respect. In Carey's case, I don't believe the booing is merited (yet!) and it clearly serves no positive purpose towards his development. But it's clear that there are those fans who are looking for reasons to dislike Carey Price, and while I think the majority of us will support whoever plays for our team over the long run, it's easy to notice the subset who disapprove of him. I think people need to remember that he is still a young player and that he still has time to improve. If we look at Ryan O'Byrne, we can see a similar case of a player who was booed repeatedly in his first year but who made great strides last year and really wasn't booed that much. If we give Carey a chance, I believe he will cut down on his mistakes as well.

[Larry-Launstein-Jr]

I still cannot help but think about what happened with Bill Durnan. In his last season, he was getting booed mercilessly. What the fans didn't know was he was playing on a bad knee. This comes right straight from the greatest Hab of all, Rocket Richard, in his book (co written with Stan Fishcler), "Flying Frenchmen: Hockey's Greatest Dynasty." Richard was very angry at those who were giving Durnan the business. For those who are booing Price the way I hear they are, or making comments about his play or him as a person, think about the consequences. Durnan was so upset about this that he retired.

[flames4eva]

Heckler types will always exist... this is nothing new and it is not only in evidence with Montreal. We are and remain great fans dedicated through highs and lows as long as we keep coming back for more... regardless.

Hecklers love to heckle but can be ignored with the knowledge that life is simply like that for those people... and it is not who the real fan is.

[gracie12]

Passion and intelligence seldom go hand in hand, especially when booze is added to that mix.

Carey is probably annoyed but he seemed cool with it, according to Gill after the game Carey said he wants to take it head on, he doesn't want to leave.

The fans were chanting his name before the game and if he's good next game they'll be chanting it again, until he's bad again. Last game I went to in Montreal Jaro started, struggled and they were chanting for Carey in the upper sections. It is what it is. If Carey develops into the goalie a lot think he can there will be a lot more positive chanting then negative.

Doing it in the preseason is probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard but I've only been alive for 22 years so I'm sure something will pass it.

this.

[AK-1]

Were we the best fans or were we just the largest fanbase?

[FirstStar]

This is not a new issue... In the 90's breezer was booed out of town. The worst part of that, is when he showed up on family day with his own family to skate with fans. They booed him so bad that he took his family and left. It's one thing to boo during a game(which is still in poor taste), but to do it in front of his wife and kids-classless. I felt so bad for him, he didn't deserve it.

In the 80's (specially early 80's) when the habs were rebuilding, the fans weren't kind either. There was one guy who got it bad from the fans, his name was Doug Wickenheiser. I remember being at a game when the fans booed a young goalie named Steve Penny... And that was after he brought the Habs to the Wales conference finals the year before... We hadn't been that far in the playoffs since our last cup. Rick Wamsley was booed on occasion and the fans in the 90's also liked to boo Racicot.

It may seem like it's a new thing, but it really isn't. During the Richard scandal, fans booed Campbell and even went as far as to throw tomatoes at him!

I admit, that was kind of deserved, Campbell shouldn't have shown his face at the forum after suspending Richard. That was like taunting and rubbing their noses in it.

[Telly_39_s_1]

*sigh*

Believe me, there are a lot of Habs fans who are disgusted about the boos Price received. Problem is, how many of those supporters were on RDS last night during the telecast?

[Habcore]

I am of the belief that fans have the right to boo or cheer as they see fit. If a player really isn't giving the effort he should, people paying $100 or even $300 a seat have the right to expect more. If the players and owners don't like it, then they should think about how much people invest in the team both monetarily and emotionally. I think most people would agree it's wrong to boo a kid or teenager who's playing for free and for the love of the sport, but a professional athlete has to at least produce an effort. I wouldn't boo a guy like Plekanec when he was struggling a couple of years ago, because the effort was still there. And I don't think Carey deserved to be booed for his performance last night, given that it was the first exhibition game and that by all accounts from the team, he has really stepped up his work ethic and dedication over the past year. But if a guy like AK46, for example, is clearly asleep at the wheel, then I believe it's alright to let him know that it's not okay. If a guy like MAB, who made the same mistakes repeatedly last year, turned the puck over 3-4 times in a row and did it game in game out, then frankly, he deserves to be booed. I gave MAB a chance when he first arrived, but he clearly did not show any improvement defensively and most importantly, did not seem to learn from his mistakes. To me, that represents a lack of commitment to improve, and booing him tells him that he needs to work on that and it tells the coach that we the fans expect more and express an opinion that we feel a change should be made if he is not able to play at an NHL level. I also cheered for MAB when he played well and I recognized when guys like AK, Pouliot, or MAB made good plays too. It's not a personal vendetta, it's just the only way sometimes that a fan can express his opinion. I wouldn't do the same thing to a guy playing his first few NHL games because there's an expected learning curve, but as I said, a veteran should know not to make the same mistakes over.

With respect to booing players on other teams, this is sometimes done with little class. Is there really a need to boo a player because he's talented? No. Is there really a need to boo a player who used to be a Hab just because he isn't any more? No. For example, I saw no reason why fans decided to boo Alex Kovalev last year. The guy was one of our best players and he loved the city and us fans, and it's not like he did anything to us. Circumstances saw that he didn't really have the chance to come back. I can understand more easily how a guy like Komisarek can be booed, because he lied to the media about his intentions and then jumped ship to our arch-enemies in a move that was likely motivated by money more than anything. And I can see how a guy like Ovechkin deserves to be booed because of how disrespectful he was to the flag boy in last year's playoffs and to our fans after he scored goals.

My point is that in the best of worlds, every one would get along and there would be no reason to boo anyone. And while I think this is sometimes done senselessly, I also believe there are times where booing is merited, either as a fairly benign form of expressing anger or displeasure or because the player does not deserve our respect. In Carey's case, I don't believe the booing is merited (yet!) and it clearly serves no positive purpose towards his development. But it's clear that there are those fans who are looking for reasons to dislike Carey Price, and while I think the majority of us will support whoever plays for our team over the long run, it's easy to notice the subset who disapprove of him. I think people need to remember that he is still a young player and that he still has time to improve. If we look at Ryan O'Byrne, we can see a similar case of a player who was booed repeatedly in his first year but who made great strides last year and really wasn't booed that much. If we give Carey a chance, I believe he will cut down on his mistakes as well.

Yes as a paying fan you do have the right to boo, but what I'm saying is don't expect to produce/keep/maintain a winning team by booing your own players. No one wants to play for terrible fans. Booing is never contructive when its targeted towards your home team. It's like kicking someone when they're down, do you think when they're healed up they want to be your friend?

As for booing visiting teams/players its entirely different, its not meant or taken maliciously, its all in the fun of competition. Visiting teams expect to be given a hard time by the home fans, some players thrive on it.

[catt-_mtlc]

This is not a new issue... In the 90's breezer was booed out of town. The worst part of that, is when he showed up on family day with his own family to skate with fans. They booed him so bad that he took his family and left. It's one thing to boo during a game(which is still in poor taste), but to do it in front of his wife and kids-classless. I felt so bad for him, he didn't deserve it.

In the 80's (specially early 80's) when the habs were rebuilding, the fans weren't kind either. There was one guy who got it bad from the fans, his name was Doug Wickenheiser. I remember being at a game when the fans booed a young goalie named Steve Penny... And that was after he brought the Habs to the Wales conference finals the year before... We hadn't been that far in the playoffs since our last cup. Rick Wamsley was booed on occasion and the fans in the 90's also liked to boo Racicot.

It may seem like it's a new thing, but it really isn't. During the Richard scandal, fans booed Campbell and even went as far as to throw tomatoes at him!

I admit, that was kind of deserved, Campbell shouldn't have shown his face at the forum after suspending Richard. That was like taunting and rubbing their noses in it.

Bad behaviour is a Habs fan tradition nothing new. I think they even boo'd LaFleur before he caught fire and took off. Heck even Guy Lapointe and Larry Robinson were boo'd and of course Patrick Roy.

I just feel so bad for the kid and hope he bounces back and has a terrific season and shuts the boobirds up.

[roy_133]

This is not a new issue... In the 90's breezer was booed out of town. The worst part of that, is when he showed up on family day with his own family to skate with fans. They booed him so bad that he took his family and left. It's one thing to boo during a game(which is still in poor taste), but to do it in front of his wife and kids-classless. I felt so bad for him, he didn't deserve it.

In the 80's (specially early 80's) when the habs were rebuilding, the fans weren't kind either. There was one guy who got it bad from the fans, his name was Doug Wickenheiser. I remember being at a game when the fans booed a young goalie named Steve Penny... And that was after he brought the Habs to the Wales conference finals the year before... We hadn't been that far in the playoffs since our last cup. Rick Wamsley was booed on occasion and the fans in the 90's also liked to boo Racicot.

It may seem like it's a new thing, but it really isn't. During the Richard scandal, fans booed Campbell and even went as far as to throw tomatoes at him!

I admit, that was kind of deserved, Campbell shouldn't have shown his face at the forum after suspending Richard. That was like taunting and rubbing their noses in it.

I believe they even booed Boom Boom for over taking Richard and winning the scoring title.

[Habcore]

This is not a new issue... In the 90's breezer was booed out of town. The worst part of that, is when he showed up on family day with his own family to skate with fans. They booed him so bad that he took his family and left. It's one thing to boo during a game(which is still in poor taste), but to do it in front of his wife and kids-classless. I felt so bad for him, he didn't deserve it.

In the 80's (specially early 80's) when the habs were rebuilding, the fans weren't kind either. There was one guy who got it bad from the fans, his name was Doug Wickenheiser. I remember being at a game when the fans booed a young goalie named Steve Penny... And that was after he brought the Habs to the Wales conference finals the year before... We hadn't been that far in the playoffs since our last cup. Rick Wamsley was booed on occasion and the fans in the 90's also liked to boo Racicot.

It may seem like it's a new thing, but it really isn't. During the Richard scandal, fans booed Campbell and even went as far as to throw tomatoes at him!

I admit, that was kind of deserved, Campbell shouldn't have shown his face at the forum after suspending Richard. That was like taunting and rubbing their noses in it.

Your right this is not a new issue, but as habs fans we are supposed to be better then this. Have you noticed no other teams fans get this much media attention, and yes I know "Its Montreal a hockey hotbed" well so is Toronto, Edmonton, New York...ect and the reason why they don't get these ignorant perceptions as fans, is because they don't boo their home teams. Passionate we were, Ignorant we are. This is something that we as fans are the only ones that can change and thats why I say when the boo birds start their chant, as true fans we should drowned out their voices and eventually they will grow tired of it.

[FirstStar]

Bad behaviour is a Habs fan tradition nothing new. I think they even boo'd LaFleur before he caught fire and took off. Heck even Guy Lapointe and Larry Robinson were boo'd and of course Patrick Roy.

I just feel so bad for the kid and hope he bounces back and has a terrific season and shuts the boobirds up.

The big issue with booing is that it makes the situation worse... Like aforementioned in one of my posts last night, Breezer couldn't perform on home ice due to all the booing. Even his own teammates felt bad for him, when he was on the road he played well. When he played a game in the old forum he gripped his stick tight and was so afraid of making a mistake that it led to a total mental breakdown.

If fans want to boo, then boo, but don't be shocked if he lets in a 40 foot floater. The boo birds are gonna make him so nervous he won't be able to stop anything! And remember, if gets to the point where he can't even stop a lob, our season rests in the hands of Alex Auld.

The boo birds might want to remind each other that we don't have Halak to step in, it all rests on Aulds shoulders. Might wanna start supporting our #1 cos I don't have much faith in Auld (beyond being a backup).

[FirstStar]

Your right this is not a new issue, but as habs fans we are supposed to be better then this. Have you noticed no other teams fans get this much media attention, and yes I know "Its Montreal a hockey hotbed" well so is Toronto, Edmonton, New York...ect and the reason why they don't get these ignorant perceptions as fans, is because they don't boo their home teams. Passionate we were, Ignorant we are. This is something that we as fans are the only ones that can change and thats why I say when the boo birds start their chant, as true fans we should drowned out their voices and eventually they will grow tired of it.

Sure they do... After being eliminated by the blackhawks 2 years in a row fans in Vancouver we livid! They booed Luongo when he let in 6 goals during an elimination game. Vancouver talk radio was busting with fans who were ragging on Lou.

I don't know why the media outside Montreal make it seem like we're the only fan base who boo's their team and players. When Washington fans realized that their team was about to be eliminated by the 8th seeded team they let em have it!

I think it's wrong to boo your own team and players, but don't try and tell me it only happens here in Montreal.

[Guest habs1952]

Heckler types will always exist... this is nothing new and it is not only in evidence with Montreal. We are and remain great fans dedicated through highs and lows as long as we keep coming back for more... regardless.

Hecklers love to heckle but can be ignored with the knowledge that life is simply like that for those people... and it is not who the real fan is.

This is true but because of a few stupid fans we're all painted with the same brush. News reports say the fans at the Bell booed Carey last night, not a few inebriated, idiotic morons booed Carey last night. Maybe the people that boo figure that is the only way they will ever get noticed in their lives.