I almost became a Habs fan. Almost. During the process of research and writing Habs 365, there were fleeting moments in which I could picture myself cheering for the bleu, blanc, et rouge. And why not? They have won 24 Stanley Cups, the most in NHL history, and they have had a pantheon of legendary players from Maurice Richard to Jean Beliveau and Ken Dryden to Carey Price that have meant as much to the Montreal faithful on and off the ice.
And, of course, if you’ve looked at my author photo on the book jacket, even I can’t argue that I look pretty darn good in that vintage leather Habs jacket. But I just can’t do it. I was born into the Leafs fandom, and even though they’ve disappointed me more times than I can remember, they have woven themselves into the strands of my DNA. And even if there have been times when I have wanted to swear off the Leafs for good, any dyed-in-the-wool hockey fan, regardless of your stripes, knows that it simply can’t be done. For better or for worse, this is your team. You’re stuck with them.
So, even though I knew I could never leave the Leafs, I think what I felt for the Canadiens when I was writing the book was a newfound appreciation. Sure, as someone who spent Saturdays watching Hockey Night in Canada, the Habs always loomed large, but I didn’t grow up with them the same way I did with the Leafs. But in learning more about the franchise’s most fabled stars and even its lesser-known players, I began to see them in a different light. And as I spent the better part of the year with the team, that appreciation only grew.
Those feelings reached a crescendo when I found myself at a Habs home game not that long after the book was released. I won’t lie, the atmosphere is intoxicating, or maybe that was just the Molson Exports. There were a few times, I thought to myself, that maybe, just maybe, after writing a book about the Montreal Canadiens, this is actually where I belong. But as much as I love the city of Montreal and everything it has to offer; it could never pull me away from my roots. I may never be a Habs fan, but one thing is for certain, I will always have an undying appreciation for the team’s history, its significance to the sport, and its legion of loyal supporters.
Mike Commito is a hockey historian and author of the Hockey 365 series. His work has been featured on the Athletic and Sportsnet and in the Hockey News and the Sudbury Star, his local newspaper. Mike has also had the opportunity to regularly cover the LA Kings and has penned stories for four other NHL teams. In 2018, one of his articles received the Paul Kitchen Award from the Society for International Hockey Research. Mike has a Ph.D. in history from McMaster University. In 2003, he became eligible to be drafted to the NHL but is still waiting for the call. Mike lives in Sudbury, Ontario. Learn more here.