Carbo on Hextall

The Habs have been searching for a new head coach and general manager and recently, the names of Ron Hextall and Luc Robitaille have come up.  Here are Carbo's thoughts on Hextall:

Former Canadiens captain and ex-head coach Guy Carbonneau knows "hockey love hurts" but he's not falling for Ron Hextall as the next Habs' GM.

Carbo pans the rumoured interest in the LA Kings' assistant general manager and former Nordiques and Flyers goalie.

But with the Canadiens widening the search to unilingual anglo candidates, Carbonneau has urged caution: "make the right decision...Jim Nill would be a really good candidate if he's well surrounded by people who speak french AND he's willing to learn, then I have no problem with that."

Nill has either rejected the Habs' or the Red Wings have used their right to snuff out Montreal interest.

Carbo is promoting Visa's "Hockey Love Hurts" contest, and in a wideranging conversation also discussed the hypothetical situation of a return to coaching with the Canadiens...for Patrick Roy as his boss.

Carbonneau predicts that Patrick will get either the GM or coaching job "if he wants to" and that he would be open to working for the Hall of Fame goalie he once offered a job to when Carbo first became Habs head coach.  (CJAD)

Also, in Real Man Challenge news, all the videos for Guy's and Wendel Clark's challenges are online at madeformen.ca and concupourleshommes.ca (in French); watch online and vote on who "manned up more."  And when voting, don't forget to vote Carbonneau!

Some notes.

First off, my sixteen-year-old Carbo gamer had the chance to be worn in an NHL arena again!  Though the Stars weren't in the game, I wore it for luck at last Saturday's Senators vs. Penguins game, despite a later admonishment on Twitter of a similar fan to "keep the Carbonneau gear at home."  The jersey brought my Sens fantastic luck -- they had an 8-4 win against the Pens. 

Guy had another Twitter chat last week as well.  @kyleroussel moderated this time, and among the things we learned:  Guy has had no advice for his son-in-law Brenden Morrow, who has struggled this season.  He stated that any advice he had for Brenden, he gave during the season the two played together in Dallas (1999-2000, which was also Carbo's last season as a player).  Also, though Guy enjoys the Beatles, he prefers the Stones!

I would also like to thank Guy for taking a photo with a friend of mine at last night's Habs/Caps game in Washington -- even though said friend was in Caps gear!  Guy was apparently there as part of the Delissio On The Road With a Legend contest, and my friend Kit spotted him and asked for a photo, which he kindly obliged.  It was a real thrill for her! 

Carbo via Twitter and a memorabilia find

Last night, Carbo did his live Twitter interview, via Dove Men+Care and AllHabs.net.  I'll admit to being rather thrilled when my question was the first one he answered!  I asked what he would have done for a living had he not been able to pursue a career in hockey, and he replied "Probably an electrician."  Who knew!  It was a blast and I want to thank Guy for being so generous to do this, as well as everyone else involved for making it possible.

Also, my daily eBay search has found this gem.  I already have a Carbonneau Artis stick, but hopefully this goes go to a loving home as it is a real beauty.  Any Artis of Guy's is a treasure!

Finally, Dove has posted Carbo's Real Man Challenge training videos here.  In French with English subtitles, the videos give us an amusing peek at Guy getting ready to do battle with Wendel Clark.

Ask Carbo a question via Twitter

No, the man hasn't joined the popular social media platform yet but via the Canadiens online magazine AllHabs.net, Carbo has graciously offered to participate in a Twitter interview for those who could not meet him in person at his recent Real Man Challenge appearances at the Bell Centre.  (What a guy!)  

For info -- and to read the most excellent article about Guy included -- visit here.

The program stand & the arena organ

On Saturday, Guy participated in Real Man Challenges Two and Three at the Bell Centre -- selling programs and playing the arena organ.

Here are some photos.

(source for photos:  Twitter)

Additionally, here is a video of Carbo playing the organ.  Enjoy!

Photos: Carbo serving beer at the Bell Centre

(source for photos:  Twitter)

Guy participated in his first Real Man Challenge this evening -- serving beer during intermission at tonight's Montreal Canadiens/Minnesota Wild game.  He takes on selling programs and playing the arena organ on Saturday.  Go Carbo go!

Carbo's Dove commercial

Hey everyone, Carbo's commercial for Dove Men + Care has been posted!

Among the scenes:  Carbo in a Nova Scotia Voyageurs uniform circa early 1980's, in front of a trophy cabinet, and with his wife Line (and their dog).  Very well done!  This writer is not part of the Dove Men + Care demographic but can now be convinced to buy Dove products.

Update: more Real Man Challenge info

From the press release:

TORONTO, Feb. 21, 2012 /CNW/ - They were hockey rivals, captains and fierce competitors who never shrunk from a battle on the ice. Now, Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens legends Wendel Clark and Guy Carbonneau are squaring off in a series of Dove Men+Care® Real Man challenges that will test their mettle off the ice.

Today's real man - everyday guy or hockey icon - must be comfortable enough in his own skin to step outside his comfort zone even after the whistle blows or the workday ends. To prove the point, Dove Men+Care® is creating a triple-header of challenges unlike anything seen by hockey fans before.

The Challenges

Starting tonight, February 21, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Wendel will take on his first challenge, followed by Guy on March 1 at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The guys will compete toe-to-toe to find out who's the real man, at least off skates:

• Challenge #1: The Intermission Rush - Wendel and Guy will demonstrate speed and grace under pressure to see who can serve more beer during a 17-minute intermission rush. When: Tuesday, February 21 at the Air CanadaCentre and Thursday, March 1 at the Bell Centre.

• Challenge #2: The Program Stand - Wendel and Guy will see if pure skill alone or charm will help them sell more programs, before the puck drops. When: Saturday, February 25 at the Air Canada Centre and Saturday, March 3 at the Bell Centre.

• Challenge #3: The Arena Organ - The boys always demonstrated good hands on the ice. Here they'll limber up their knuckles and take a seat at the organ to see how they fare at tickling the ivories. When: Saturday, February 25 at the Air Canada Centre and Saturday, March 3 at the Bell Centre.

For those not able to see the challenges in-person at the rink, videos of each will be posted online at www.mapleleafs.com/madeformen and www.concupourleshommes.ca. The winner of each challenge will be determined by Canadian fans - the player with the most votes online will be crowned victor.

Wendel/Guy are approaching the challenges as seriously as any on-ice encounter. "Just like any real man today the effort can't stop once you leave work," says Wendel Clark. "I've always put the same passion into my life away from the rink. Now, I'm excited to prove it by renewing my rivalry with Guy."

Tweet to Help Wendel and Guy Compete

Since no true fan can sit back passively while their heroes compete for bragging rights, starting February 21, Canadians can show their hockey colours and support on Twitter using the handle and hashtag: @madeformen and #madeformen

Fans can also check out Wendel and Guy's training progress in a series of behind the scenes videos posted at www.mapleleafs.com/madeformen starting February 20 and www.concupourleshommes.ca starting February 27.

TV Ads Document what defines today's Real Men

Dove Men+Care® is also documenting the passion points that define a real man today in a series of TV ads that will run beginning March 3.  The ads will showcase the heart and soul that have defined Wendel and Guy from their careers as hockey heroes to their lifetime roles as hero dads.

"The Dove Men+Care® Real Man Challenges are about showing that hockey greats, just like everyday guys, play multiple roles in life - whether it's being an awesome dad or performing for hockey fans in a whole new arena," says Sharon McLeod, VP Marketing, Unilever Canada. "Wendel and Guy demonstrate the great qualities shared by real men today, including a passion for doing whatever it takes in every venue of life."

About Dove® and Dove Men+Care®

Thanks to Dove Men+Care® all men can literally be comfortable in their own skin. Built on Unilever's success in the men's deodorant, personal wash and hair categories, and the Dove® brand's heritage in superior skincare, new Dove Men+Care® products are specifically designed to provide men with both the results and the care they need. The Dove® product lineup, manufactured by Unilever, includes beauty bars, body washes, face care, anti-perspirant/deodorants, body mists, hair care and styling aids. Dove Men+Care® is the newest range of products from Dove, developed specially for men. Dove is available nationwide in food, drug and mass outlet stores.

Carbo as part of Dove Men + Care's hockey challenge

Dove Men + Care, launched in 2010, is using hockey to prove that "real men" can relate to men in advertising.  Our hero is being pitted against Leafs legend Wendel Clark in the "Real Man Challenge."

The highly recognized players will partake in a series of challenges at arenas in Toronto and Montreal. From them playing the stadium organ to contending for the most beer and program sales, MacLeod says that the plan is to have fun, to get people to see a different side of their personalities and most importantly to show how approachable these men that occupy the media can be.

All of the events will be filmed and uploaded to a dedicated microsite, launching Feb. 20, where consumers can vote for who they believe should be crowned the “Real Man Challenge” winner.  (strategyonline.ca)

The challenges are actually taking place during four separate hockey games -- Wendel's on February 21 and 25 at the Air Canada Centre, and Guy's on March 1 and 3 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.  There will also be a TV spot, featuring Wendel and Guy, that will air on Canadian stations at the end of February.

You know who's got my vote!