Guy honored by Dallas

On Friday evening Guy, along with former Stars teammate Sergei Zubov, were honored by the Stars before their game against the Vegas Golden Knights for their recent inductions to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Commemorative posters were given out to the first 5,000 fans.

(image source:  eBay)

Here are a few photos of the ceremony.

(image source:  Facebook/DallasStars)

Video of the pre-game ceremony is available here and a brief interview with Guy prior to the ceremony is available here.

Guy honored at Quebec's National Assembly; also, Nick Cousins shows his appreciation

Last Wednesday, Guy was honored by Quebec's National Assembly with a rousing round of applause.  Marquette Member of National Assembly Enrico Ciccone -- also a Habs alumnus -- invited Guy to the Assembly to receive the honor.  

Said Ciccone, 

"Guy has not only had an exemplary professional career, but he is also an exceptional guy who is appreciated by everyone. He was the idol for many young people in Quebec because of his talent and determination. I am very proud that he accepted my invitation to come to the National Assembly so that we can highlight his contribution to Quebec society." (link)

(image source:  Twitter/@EnricoCiccone)

* * *

It was a no-brainer for current Habs player Nick Cousins -- who, like Guy, wears number 21 -- when it came time to decide which past Habs captain to play tribute to at the Captains Reunion on December 3.

"It was cool to see him the other night, going to the Hall of Fame. He played here for [13] years. He was a great player. He won three Selke Trophies," said Cousins.  "He's a legend in Montreal Canadiens history."  (link)

(image source:  canadiens.nhl.com)

The Habs honor Guy

This most eventful week for me, as a Carbo fan, has resulted in one of the most hilarious photos of Guy I have ever seen.

(image source:  Twitter/@Dave_Stubbs)

Per NHL.com's Dave Stubbs on Twitter:  "I haven't fought in 30 years and I'm stuck in the tie-down strap!" Carbo laughed.

The Montreal Canadiens honored Guy before last night's game, adding his portrait to the Bell Centre's Ring of Honor.  The entire pregame ceremony is available on the Habs' official website here.  Additionally, Guy was mic'd up for the ceremony and video of that is also available here.  Unfortunately, my Ottawa Senators rained on Carbo's parade, beating the Canadiens 2-1.

This has been an incredible week.  Congratulations again, Guy.  It is so very well deserved, and thank you for continuing to be such an inspiration to me.  You are my hero.

Finally, I want to give a special shout-out to my friend Kit for being my Twitter eyes and ears this week and tweeting me all things Carbo.  Thank you so much!

Video of Guy's HHOF acceptance speech, among other things

Guy shows off his HHOF ring next to his plaque.  (Image source:  Twitter/@DallasStars)

NHL.com has posted video of Guy's acceptance speech from last night.  You can find it here.

In addition, Dave Stubbs of NHL.com spoke to many of Carbo's peers prior to the HHOF induction.  He has posted a round-up of those comments here.

Finally, the HHOF official website has posted many photos of the weekend's festivities.  Those galleries can be found here.

On a personal note, was Guy's HHOF induction worth my 12-year wait?  (Not as long as Guy had to wait, mind you!)  The answer is yes.  Absolutely yes.

Some reading for you all on HHOF Induction Day

A number of articles about Guy have been published prior to his HHOF induction which will be happening tonight.  Here are a few.

Hockey Hall of Fame 2019: Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Carbonneau finally gets call 19 years after hanging up skates (Sporting News)

Carbonneau has late father on mind entering Hockey Hall of Fame (NHL.com)

Q&A with Hall of Famer Guy Carbonneau: 21 questions with No. 21 (Sportsnet)

Former Canadien Guy Carbonneau earned spot in Hall of Fame (Montreal Gazette)

More HHOF content will be published in the coming days.  I'm currently in nursing school and am extremely busy with my studies, but I'm taking time out this evening to watch Carbo's induction.  Wouldn't miss it for the world!

Another profile of Guy ahead of the HHOF induction

This time, by the Habs' official website.

Guy Carbonneau: a song for the unsung heroes

Enjoy!

A wonderful article about Guy's impending HHOF induction

And we're back!  My domain expired at the end of September but it is now renewed just in time for the HHOF festivities next week.

Dave Stubbs of NHL.com has written an absolutely fantastic profile of Guy ahead of his HHOF induction.  In it, Carbo reveals that he shed a few tears when he got the call from Lanny McDonald and John Davidson.  He isn't the only one; I cried, too.

The HHOF induction festivities are next week, and I can't wait.  I'm sure Guy can't, either.

A young Guy prepares a stick for use with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.  (Image source:  NHL.com)

Here is the article:  Carbonneau embraced defensive role with Canadiens on way to Hall of Fame

Three little words

ABOUT FREAKING TIME!!!!!

Guy was selected to the Hockey Hall of Fame today, along with fellow players Hayley Wickenheiser, Vaclav Nedomansky and (former Stars teammate) Sergei Zubov and builders Jim Rutherford and Jerry York.  (TSN article)

Personally, I wasn't paying too much attention to selection day today, because I have been waiting for Carbo to be selected for a very long time and was expecting to be disappointed yet again.  I actually heard it on the news this evening and was quite literally hyperventilating.  (Just ask my poor mother.)  I think this is nearly as big a deal for me as it is for him.  This just means SO much to me as a Carbonneau fan.  He is, in my (okay, maybe biased) opinion, the best defensive forward of his era and he has been such an inspiration to me both on and off the ice.  Once my hero, always my hero.

And a shoutout to my buddy Diane Lau, who is the only other person I know who knows how I'm feeling about this.  It was learning about Guy as a player and a person through her website that really fueled my early love for him.  And it has remained, for over a decade.

This is your time, Guy.  Enjoy it.  You deserve it.  Congratulations.

EDITED to add TSN video:  Carbonneau on being named HHOF inductee: 'This is something you dream about'

Photo flashback; also, another case for Guy in the Hall

Montreal Gazette photographer John Mahoney recently Instagrammed this vintage photo of Carbo and Joe Sakic:

(source:  Instagram/johnmahoney58)

Also, an endorsement for Guy in the Hockey Hall of Fame has come from the unlikeliest of sources, the Los Angeles Times.  On a story about players who should be in the halls of fame for their respective sports, Carbo tops the list for hockey:

Guy Carbonneau: A three-time winner of the Selke Award as the NHL's best defensive forward, but perhaps Hall of Fame member Brett Hull said it best about Carbonneau in an interview with Times columnist Helene Elliott, herself a hockey Hall of Fame member: "I think at some point they've got to take a look at a Guy Carbonneau and look at his body of work without the numbers and look at what he did as a defensive centerman and a leader and a Stanley Cup winner and numerous Selke awards. At some point, they've got to start putting some players like Guy Carbonneau into the Hall of Fame. So what, they don't have 500 goals. But without them, you don't win championships."

(source)

Also, blog reader Tyler has solved the mystery of the strange video featured in the previous post:  It's a joking reference to the Carbonneau Commission, a corruption trial in Montreal.  Merci, Tyler!

Happy New Year!

Another case made for Carbo in the HHOF, among other things

On Monday, the Selection Committee of the Hockey Hall of Fame will meet to select the inductees for 2014.  Brian Costello of The Hockey News makes the case for Guy in the Hall of Fame, which is basically everything I've been saying all along.  Read what he has to say here.

And on July 11 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Guy will be on hand for Hockey Fest, which includes a skills clinic for kids and an alumni game featuring former NHL and WHL all-stars.  Brenden Morrow, Guy's son-in-law, will also be in attendance.  Money raised at Hockey Fest will go to needy families who cannot afford the investment to put their kids in hockey.  (link)

Finally, an oldie (by a few months) but a goodie:  The Montreal Gazette commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Vendredi Saint brawl with this article, which includes a reprint of a 1993 article about the storied Battle of Quebec.

Enjoy! 

The Hall of Fame, and Brenden Morrow's future

Today was "Annual Lisa Gets Annoyed Day," otherwise known as Hockey Hall of Fame selection day.  And in usual fashion, the HHOF selection committee didn't fail to disappoint.  With all due respect to this year's inductees, when is Guy going to get the call?  This was his 11th year of eligibility, and once again he has been overlooked.  Then again, this is also the committee who failed to do the right thing a few years ago and induct a deserving builder, Pat Burns, while he was still alive to be able to enjoy it, so I have no expectations where they are concerned.

However, Guy himself is happy to see his former Habs teammate and co-captain Chris Chelios make the cut:

(Translated from French)  "I am very very happy. There was no doubt that Chris Chelios, when he would have a chance to enter the Hall of Fame, he would do so. He had an extraordinary career.  It is not every day that a guy plays 24 years in the National Hockey League. He fully deserves the honour. 

"The fact that he finished his career in Detroit certainly helped.  Detroit has always been a mainstay in the National Hockey League, a team that is always there to win, and supports young talent.  In his later years, he knew he was going to play less often, but he always gave the same effort."  

But Guy was also disappointed to see his former coach, the late Pat Burns, overlooked:

"He has the numbers, titles, everything it takes to be elected.  The sooner he enters the Hall, the better."

As for his own Hall of Fame expectations:

"Your ultimate dream is to lift the Stanley Cup. The Hall of Fame is one of the dreams of any player, but I'm still young!"  (source)

* * *

Also, Guy has revealed that his son-in-law Brenden Morrow has interest in playing for the Canadiens:

(Translated from French)  "He did not veto playing for the Canadiens.  There have been many movements in recent days. There are teams that are interested in his services, there are others that are less so, but there are teams who were surprised to see the interest Brenden has for them.  I really think the Canadiens were surprised that he was open to the idea of ​​playing in Montreal.  Now, only time will tell if they are interested or not."

On the prospect of daughter Anne-Marie returning to Montreal:

"They liked Dallas. They now have to turn the page.  Brenden and the children are eager to know where he'll end his career."  (source)

* * *

Finally, here is a photo from a charity softball game Guy participated in recently with the Habs alumni:

(image source:  canoe.ca)

A new take on the HHOF's lack of action

...And we're back.  I've been dealing with some health issues of late and just haven't felt up to blogging, but I'm on the mend now, thankfully.  Also there has been little to no Carbo news to report.  He will be honored by the Dallas Stars as part of the 20th Anniversary All-Time Team in the near future, and as soon as that's announced, I'll post it up here.

I did, however, come across an interesting take on why HHOF voting results should continue to be kept secret.  It has to do with a study on status and premature death, oddly enough.  The article does sardonically mention the Hall of Fame's continued lack of action on inducting Guy, which is why it caught my attention.  You can read it here.

Also of note, Guy will be participating in a Hockey Helps the Homeless fundraiser on March 22 at the Sportplex 4 Glaces in Pierrefonds, Quebec.  All participants, no matter what their skill level, will get a chance to skate with NHL alumni -- including Guy -- that day.  Anyone interested in participating can sign up as a single player or as a team and must raise a minimum of $350 and cover his or her registration costs of $150, which includes a jersey.  Also participants must be a minimum of 19 years old to play.  For more information click here. 

HHOF talk and Movember

I'd like to thank blog reader James for giving me a heads-up about this:  I haven't been watching TSN much these days due to the lockout but the other day the NHL on TSN crew did a special Quiz feature on players who should next make it into the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Said Michael Peca:

I'm going Carbonneau. We always talk about offensive numbers when it comes to the Hall of Fame, but some guys do just as much with the intangibles to help their teams win championships, and Carbonneau is a great example. You ask anybody from the teams he's won Stanley Cups with, they would tell you that he was as big a part of the team as anybody.  (link)

Way to go, Michael Peca!  Also of note is this Hockey News blog post from four years ago that I recently found, which also makes the case for Carbo.  As of 2013, Guy will have been HHOF eligible for ten years, and pardon my expression but it's bloody ridiculous -- induct him already.

It is also November and you know what that means -- men all over everywhere are growing facial hair in support of men's health.  Guy is once again taking up the cause this year, which means that it's time for the second annual State of the 'Stache.  His Mo was on display the other night on L' Antichambre on RDS:

It's still in the embryonic stages as you can see.   

Some updates.

Carbo had some kind words about this year's Hockey Hall of Fame inductees:

What's it like to be here this weekend to help honor two of your ex-teammates (Belfour and Nieuwendyk) that you went through so much with?

"It's unbelievable. I always say you make a lot of friends just by playing hockey but probably your best friends will always be the players you won the Cup with. I remember '86, '93 and '99 was a great season for everybody. Having a chance to play against all four guys that are inducted, and especially with Joe and Eddie in '99, it's a thrill."

What was it like to go against Gilmour in those Montreal-Toronto rivalry games?

"He was a great competitor. He was a lot more offensive than I was, but we played the same style. Neither of us wanted to give an inch and those are great memories. Any time you play against a great competitor makes you raise your game a little bit and that's what I always enjoyed."  (nhl.com)

It is also time for another State of the 'Stache report!

Guy showing off his moustache at the Playground Poker Club in Montreal recently.  (image credit:  Playground Poker Club)