"The lockout really hurt the franchise," says Guy Carbonneau, who played on the '99 Cup champion and later served as Stars assistant GM. He is also the father-in-law of Dallas captain Brenden Morrow. "The city's attitude is about winning. There's always going to be football, but then the baseball team started to win and the basketball team won a championship. You're also going up against colleges and high schools, and too many people went off to spend their money elsewhere.
"Joe's done an unbelievable job under the circumstances. They've drafted pretty well. They have lots of players that they drafted on the roster. (Of the 23 that were available to face the Canadiens Tuesday night, nine were Stars draftees.) If they keep putting together a solid team and maybe have a long playoff run, I think fans will start coming back to them." (Sports Illustrated)
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.
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)
