Habs Hire Cunneyworth, Quebecers Overreact

By Eric Rosenhek

There are times when I’m metaphorically compelled to pound my head against a wall.

I have recently felt that desire thanks to certain fans of the Montreal Canadiens.

These fans –some of whom are high-ranking provincial politicians – are furious the Habs named Randy Cunneyworth as the interim head coach after firing Jacques Martin.

The furor over Cunneyworth has nothing to do with his style of coaching. Instead, the uproar is because Cunneyworth does not speak French.

To some, this is a major insult.

According to recent Canadian Press articles, some politicians and political organizations have stated they are disappointed with the Canadiens. Some have even suggested a boycott of Molson products as a way to discipline team-owner Geoff Molson. Others feel the Habs should force their players to learn French. One political commentator went as far as encouraging French-speaking journalists to not address Cunneyworth in English.

Then there was the French-language newspaper, Le Journal de Montreal, which printed an English headline on its front page after the Canadiens lost to Boston on December 19: “Another Loss For Cunneyworth.”

To others, this is madness.

I understand the importance of the Canadiens in Quebec. I understand the importance of French-culture in Quebec. I recognize some Quebecers are worried about losing their native language in a country with a heavy English-speaking influence. This has been an on-going political issue for many years.

But to frantically criticize the Habs for making a mid-season coaching change without considering if the replacement is bilingual or not is brainless.

Sadly, this not the first time the Canadiens have been involved in a language controversy. In 2007, then-captain Saku Koivu was criticized by a Quebec-area Lawyer for not speaking French in a video presentation for the Habs’ home opener that year.

“I have the right to be served in my language,” said Guy Betrand at a public hearing about accommodating minorities, as quoted by CanWest News Service. “He has been playing for 12 years (for the Canadiens)…It demonstrates contempt for our language. It is not respectful.”

Again…brainless. Although for his part, Koivu did record a new message in French for the following home game.

Before this firestorm about Cunneyworth’s inability to speak French gets any bigger, allow me to squelch the flames with these points:

1. Randy Cunneyworth is only the INTERIM coach. Unless the Canadiens show vast improvements for the remainder of the season, there’s a good chance he will not be retained. This would allow the Habs to look for a new coach, possibly someone with a French-Canadian or bilingual background. If Cunneyworth is brought back next season, he would certainly make an effort to learn some French. And if he doesn’t, that’s no reason to freak out. It’s his right. What’s more important? A winning team or a coach that speaks French?

2. Geoff Molson is not an idiot. He knows the Canadiens are more than just a hockey team to French-speaking Quebecers. The last thing he would want to do is offend his largest demographic. That would be poor business etiquette. Molson even went out his way to ensure fans that he is committed to bilingualism.

“Although our main priority remains to win hockey games and to keep improving as a team, it is obvious that the ability for the head coach to express himself in both French and English will be a very important factor in the selection of the permanent head coach,” Molson stated in a recent press release.

Still want to boycott Molson products?

3. Two of Montreal’s most successful coaches, Hector ‘Toe’ Blake and Scotty Bowman were English-speaking individuals. Yes, they spoke French to some degree, but English was their first language. Nobody seemed to care how fluent their French was because the Canadiens enjoyed great success under their leaderships.

Perhaps this anger over Cunneyworth’s appointment is the result of boiled-over frustration due to Montreal’s poor record so far this season. If the Habs miraculously win a Stanley Cup or two under Cunneyworth’s guidance, then this issue will be nearly forgotten; a short paragraph in a 1000-page text.

It’s time for those who are insulted by Randy Cunneyworth’s promotion to follow the wisdom and philosophy of Canadiens goalie Carey Price: Chill out!

This issue is not even an issue. It is simply one detail that is being blown out of proportion by those with political and hidden agendas.  These individuals, who have vilified the Canadiens, only represent a small fraction of Habs fans.

The majority of supporters are undoubtedly more concerned about winning than a unilingual coach.