Une odeur nauséabonde sortait de l'aréna Guertin ce matin....non ce n'était pas en provenance de la chambre des joueurs après une pratique, mais belle et bien de la porte de l'organisation du club en général.
La nouvelle que j'attendais depuis un bon bout de temps est finalement sorti...nouvelle que j'avais prédis depuis le camp d'entrainement....Steven Johnston est coupé.
Le jeune attaquant de 19 ans en provenance de l'Ontario c'était, tout comme Anthony Brodeur, faite promis un poste avec l'organisation dans le top-9 de l'édition actuel.
Il faut comprendre qu'aujourd'hui, le monde des médias et des médias sociaux roule cette planète, il répend de l'information à la vitesse de la lumière...Reway le sait très bien!!! Ayant dit ceci....c'est chose connu depuis le début de la relation Johnston\Hull...Ah pis de Hell with it, je n'associe pas le nom de HULL avec cette histoire....depuis le début de la relation entre Johnston et Gatineau, que le kid (Johnston) a laissé de coté son éligibilité pour la NCAA pour ce donner une chance dans notre ligue, notre équipe.
Un certain Blues_41 a révelé aujourd'hui que les Piques ont passé par l'entremise de Maxime Talbot pour convaincre Johnston à venir porter nos couleurs cette saison!!!
Vous connaissez la suite...Johnston ne joue pratiquement jamais et ceci est lorsqu'il est habillé pour le match, dimanche passé à Guertin, Groulx lui a préféré Samuel Acquin du MAAA....une autre claque en pleine face pour le kid qui a sacrifié un année de sa vie pour notre équipe pour son propre "bien"!!!
Je vais pas enguirlander l'organisation et la traité de nom, nom quelle mérite, car évidablement nous sommes surement pas les seuls à faire des moves de la sorte, mais à moins d'être complétement fou, j'accepte l'opposé à bras ouvert en passant....mais me semble que nous fesons que cela depuis quelques années...ont lance des promesses en l'air comme des confettis à un mariage.
A qui faisons-nous vraiment le plus mal en bout de ligne? Certes Steven Johnston ne la trouve pas drôle en ce moment, malgré qu'il va surement pouvoir enlever un énorme piano de ses épaules d'ici quelques jours, sauf qu'en bout de ligne c'est les Piques qui encore une autre passe pour une organisation de broche à foin.
Non seulement, nous perdons paroles devant Johnston, mais ont vient d'associer nos incompétences de "player management" and "player developement" avec la NHL. Les Piques ont utilisé les services d'une de leur ancienne vedette, Maxime Talbot pour obtenir les services de Johnston et en bout de ligne, le kid ne ce rends même pas jusqu'aux fêtes!!!
D'après vous, la prochaine fois que le cellulaire de Mad Max sonne avec le numéro de l'aréna Guertin sur son afficheur...comment réagira notre ancien #25!?!? Sera t'il enjoué à nous rendre un autre "service"???
Personnellement, nous venons de dire à la ligue national que nous sommes pas très organiser comme organisation...
Si vous regarder notre liste de "scout" sur la page de l'équipe, nous en avons que 3, il y a pas plus tard que l'an passé il y en avait 9....que c'est-il passé avec eux??? Groulx les a mangé???
Si je peux me permettre, je vais terminer en disant qu'avec les médias sociaux qui décide notre humeur d'humain à chaque jour, le mot va passer vite faite dans le "hockey world" que notre façon d'agir avec les humains qui porte nos couleurs ne me rend pas très très de bonne humeur....à bien n'y penser Mr. T dans la photo de mon blogue pointe dans notre direction en nous traitant de "fools"...mot qui rhymme avec "stool"....!!!
Il serait peut-être de mise pour certain qui ont les narines pas très rafiné de "waker up and smell the......"....parce que le plus fous des fous réalise que par chez nous....ça pu!!!
Keep dropping the gloves kids, it's part of the game!!!
Malheureusement, depuis le depart de Charlie, ca s'empire.
RépondreSupprimerCa nous prend un VRAI "hockey guy" a la direction.
Good blog H4L. The Johnston fiasco just happens too often in Gatineau. There were two or three other similar situations last year. I'm not saying that any of these players were of Major Junior caliber but all of them, to various extents, were convinced to come to Gatineau with false promises, not always made by the head coach. Whether it was top 9 as a forward or top 6 as a defenseman or "we understand the NCAA situation but, trust us, we wouldn't bring you here to sit on the bench or in the stands." What's even more puzzling is that it was the Olympiques who came knocking at the players' doors and that, as far as I know, the players had to be convinced to cross the border. Yet, from the start, most were never given a chance to perform and left very bitter. And all this is expensive... lots of money exchanges hands. Why do it if you won't even give the players a chance to get acclimatized to major junior hockey and, at the very least, be given a chance to perform. And, including Johnston, these players became immediate whipping boys for Groulx. They basically were doomed from the start. They obviously must have scouted Johnston before signing him. Could they not evaluate his play in the CCHL, playing Jr A hockey? Could they not immediately tell that he's a fairly skilled player who's not very physical? Could they not adequately evaluate his skating and hockey sense to see if they translate to Major Junior before signing him? Could they not speak to his Jr A coach to see if he's the type of kid who can handle the tyranny and abuse of Groulx? Unless you're sure on all counts, why tell the kid he's top 9 or even guarantee him a spot and suddenly, after 50 shifts, decide that he's not good enough. They brought in a big D mid season last year and had him play sporadically as a winger and garbage minutes as a defenseman. From all accounts, he quickly became Groulx's whipping boy almost immediately after coming to Gatineau and all the kid wanted was to leave Gatineau and never see Groulx's face. Again, I am told that this kid, all of 17 years old, was made the same promises as Johnston and has also wasted a D1 scholly for half a season of misery under Groulx. All these players will certainly not keep quiet about their experience in Gatineau and will spread the word in Ontario and elsewhere about how they were treated. It's been the case for many many years. This has nothing to do with the present players on the team. All of them have value and deserve to be there. How long will a guy like Beckstead be there? The Henry kid who is always injured? It does stink in Gatineau, moreso than it stinks in any other Q hockey city.
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MJ, start saying all of this on the other board, and I will do so with what I know. Everyone reads the other forum for sure, they might read this one too, including management, players and fans. The truth needs to be exposed, what do you say? I will start a new topic on Groulx and all of this if you will contribute. Good idea?
RépondreSupprimerThey saw his "highlights" on Youtube.
RépondreSupprimerStooy, I'm really not the type to debate with guys like Grygor over someone like Groulx. You know any truths will be quickly shot down. I'll create an account on that site and see where the conversation goes and I'll post accordingly.
RépondreSupprimerMy experience with the Olympiques and many other junior teams (Major Junior, Jr A and US Jr) is not necessarily from a Fan point of view. I usually see 15 to 20 Olympiques games per year (home and road). I deal with players, agents, advisers, general managers and coaches on a regular basis and I can honestly say that the few times I've dealt with Groulx and Sear have been difficult to say the least.
Did you know that most OHL teams will not even consider dressing a player for an exhibition game unless they are 99% sure that the player is completely on board and is just about a lock to make the team if that player still has his NCAA eligibility. Even for their drafted players, especially those in the mid to late rounds, most of the teams are very up front about the player's chances and are able to make decisions during training camp...certainly before exhibitions and the actual season. I've dealt with Niagara Falls, Oshawa, London, Owen Sound and many others and I've always found them to be up front and as honourable as a major Junior team can be. Q teams are different, and Sear and Groulx are the worst. I personally couldn't believe that Johnston, at 19 especially, chose to play ONE year max with the Olympiques - two years past his NHL draft year - and forego a probable NCAA opportunity. I knew the kid was smart in school and I also doubted he could play for Groulx. I did see him scoring 20 goals if he had 3rd line minutes with some PP time. But when he was scratched and criticized after only two games, I knew he was done. Then the stories started coming out about how he was being treated and I knew he was a goner. No way I would have advised him to even consider playing in Gatineau after seeing him play quite a few times last year and speaking to insiders in the CCHL but hindsight is 20 20 and the kid is paying for this bad decision.
Side note - it's become apparent that the more intelligent and well rounded a player is off the ice, the less likely are his chances of being able to play for Groulx. A meathead jock that barely scrapes a 50 in school (with the assistance of the team) is more apt to be able to take the verbal and mental abuse from Groulx because it's in one ear out the other. The brighter kid who's from a normal stable family environment arrives in Gatineau and is sometimes taken aback by the onslaught of nastiness and the head games from coach Groulx and can't take it. Maybe it's a stretch or a coincidence but that's what I've seen in the last few years. These "smart" players either can't perform for Groulx or simply decide that they're better off elsewhere (trade or simply go to University). Poulin was a smart student... couldn't play for Groulx. Others, and I won't name names, or as dunce as they come.
Thanks MJ, I have the ball rolling!
RépondreSupprimerWell I don't want to piss-off anyone here...but Groulx's best player in 10 years is Ti-Claude Giroux and I was once told this by a current member of the organisation...
RépondreSupprimer"If Giroux wouldn't play hockey, he would be the one pick-up you're garbages in front of your house"!!!
I rest my case!!!
Look at the players we have lately....all smaller then Groulx and since we have established that a smart player won't play well or long for Groulx, then one can imagine that he looks for players who aren't smarter then him!!! Making Groulx...king shit all the time...he's the least dumber in the room and almost the biggest guy!!!
Are big guys are gentle giants....and often do we have a real goon!!!??? When Groulx takes a chance on a wild man...it always finishes badly...remember how he never turned around Clarke??? HE couldn't do anything with Travis Stacey either!!!
I don't believe in our team on the ice, because I don't believe in our team off the ice...anyone who played hockey or lives for it...would understand this...
Thank you very very much MJ for making this blogue a little bit more credible each and every day...on my team you would be on the first line...Gryger would be the one lacing up your skates and filling your water bottle each and every game...here's the funny part in all of this....even he knows this about himself!!!
Thanks to MJ for sure.
RépondreSupprimerHull4life, you make a fascinating point as to why Groulx likes small guys. He is going to be bigger than them and will assume in his mind that they will be easier to intimidate and bully. Also, as MJ suggested, he likes players with lesser levels of intelligence for similar reasons.
One could of course argue that all of Groulxs methods are a result of him honestly believing that they are the best way to win, and that this is why he acts the way he does and chooses the types of players he does. And to be sure Groulx has done his fair share of winning.
But, I am starting to wonder if we are on to something more here. Is it possible that Groulx's methods have nothing much to do with hockey, but are actually a result of him needing to satisfy emotional needs? And is is possible Groulx has chosen this profession so as to be able to scream at kids, wreck their lives, control them, be a bully, be a tyrant and so on?
I suspect that a psychoanalyst would have a field day with this guy!!
Thanks for the kind words Stooy and H4L. I certainly enjoy your blog and I respect your comments. I admire your passion for this team and it's too bad that the team has deteriorated so much off the ice as far as reputation and management. It used to be a model to follow. I don't have the same passion for this team. It is one of many that I follow. I am more passionate about hockey and the players that play the game.
RépondreSupprimerAs far as Claude Giroux, I know the kid and he's from a good family. He's a good kid that would have been a superstar anywhere. I hate to see Groulx taking credit for it. Ever wonder why Claude never bothered to participate in the 40 year almost night celebrations last year, even though he was locked out from the NHL?
I don't want to harp on this off ice stuff, but it's just a matter of time before this team gets itself into serious trouble with the CHL (not Courteau as he's nothing more than a puppet). For example, players who are outside of their territory CANNOT be contacted by the team (Groulx, Sear, their out of province scout) until they've been undrafted in two drafts (OHL, WHL). So, it's illegal (tampering) for a guy like Boisvert to make a call to a player and his parents until after the second draft. He can watch the player play and evaluate but there cannot be any contact at all with the player. Once the player is undrafted for a second time, then the Olympiques can contact the player to see if he's interested in trying out. Even then, the player is still under OHL or WHL jurisdiction and cannot step on the ice during a normal team practice until he clears waivers in the OHL or WHL.
That being said and with clear rules, what do you think the Olympiques do? Yes, they often contact players who are still "property" of the OHL especially even when those players have only been undrafted in ONE draft. Yes, they invite players to skate with the team during normal practices even when they are OHL property. Yes, they even fly out to the player's town and rent ice to see him skate. This is common practice for the team. There's no problem in contacting an 18 year old and inviting him to skate with the team once he has cleared waivers. But they cannot do it with a 17 year. They cannot talk to a 16 or 17 year old and have him on the ice for a normal practice. Every CHL knows this and most abide by the rules. I've even seem emails from the team to players discussing their interest in the 17 year old Ontario player. Are they stupid? If one, or many of these players, was to forward this email to the CHL, Branch and company would have to option by to investigate and apply the appropriate punishment. It's a wonder that players from recent years who have been screwed over by Groulx and Sear do not push this issue. All one would have to do is document the "scouting" process that led them to play a bit for the Olympiques and then provide the CHL with dates and emails. But, when kids and parents get burned, they still fear of burning bridges and being bad mouthed by Groulx and Sear to other organization, they too walk away bitter and angry. And agents don't help in this regard. They too sometimes don't want to burn bridges with teams and hence don't always do what's right for the player. More and more though, I'm hearing of players and agents refusing to play in Gatineau and especially get drafted by Gatineau.
Do you think Groulx has ever threatened a player with "walk away from this team and I'll make sure you'll never play hockey again"? I've heard of this a few times. NOT RIGHT.
On ice though, the team is very talented this year and should finish in the top 6 for sure. But, being so small and undisciplined, I fear that injuries and wear and tear will take a toll on them come the end of the year.
mj
We're always small and undiscipled....and it always takes it's toll on us...that's why Groulx never won a Memorial Cup and that's why he always shows up at that tournament with a burned team or dies in the final because every one his either tired or injured!!!
SupprimerFinal 2010-11....Labrie, Deslauriers, Mcginn, Devos all injured or playing injured...so limited in what they can do!!! Memorial Cup 2008...Giroux and Byron could barely (game over right there)....remember Kawaii?!?!?! Who in there right mind would of kept this guy on any team who had a chance to win something!??!! Must of been easy to tell this guy what do to hen....think about it...if we go back to Groulx and his mentality!!!
Clearly "MJ" you're intel is much appreciated....let me know next time you're going to a HULL Olympiques game...maybe we could meet for a little "shoot the shit"....i'm not at every game because I simply refuse to give my money to crooks who own the Olympiques to encourage a coach that lives on spitting on others....but i'm there from time to time.
Thanks MJ. I hope lots of people are reading this.
SupprimerFor now I go to every game. But to be honest, if things continue the same or get worse, I will consider switching back to the Ottawa 67s next season when they return to the Civic Centre. One thing that keeps me at the Olympiques games is Robert Guertin. I love the place.
Maybe I'll see you and Stooy one day at the BOB. I've always loved watching games at there... I hated their dressing rooms though. I wonder if it's any better. I wonder if the boys' exercise room is still as small as my bathroom.
RépondreSupprimerOne thing for sure, whoever the European contact the Olympiques have is some just of skill. Reway last year (that was a no brainer though) and Karabacek this year. I'd never heard of this young man but he's certainly impressive. They should hire that contact to come and scout here!
mj
MJ, are there any other great arenas that compare with the BOB?
RépondreSupprimerThe dressing rooms and exercise room are has awful has they we're in the 90's...nothing has change...even the smell his the same at the ol' bob ;--P
RépondreSupprimerStooy, in the O, there are certainly some gems that compare with the BOB of 5 to 10 years ago. Most people don't like this rink but it's very reminiscent of the old BOB and that's Peterborough. Like the Olympiques, the Petes have struggled in recent years and the atmosphere isn't as good but back in the days of Ricci, Pronger and Staal, the place was a rocking and intense. The building is also old and in need of repair but charming also. The Aud in Kitchener is also old but it doesn't show like it does at the BOB. And believe it or not, I really like the Civic Center and I hate the Canadian Tire Place for Junior hockey - the 67s suck also so that doesn't help. That's another team that is spinning its wheels.
RépondreSupprimerBut as far as modern arenas, nothing beats GM Place in Oshawa and John Labbatt's in London. GM Place, for the players, is better than some NHL arenas. And the Knights are so good and so supported by London, that it's a treat to watch them play. I make a point of seeing them at least once a year in London.
For the terrible OHL arenas, the Niagara Ice Dogs arena in Ste-Catherines is terrible. Belleville is bad also. I've never been but I'm told Erie is terrible also.
In the Q, my personal favourite is in Victoriaville and, believe it or not, Val D'or. I love the ambiance of those two rinks. The fans are great and they always have tough teams. My least favourite is Rousseau in BB. Terrible ambiance. Obviously, the Colisee in Quebec is a great facility, almost at par with London and Oshawa.
If ever you want a pretty decent hockey experience, take a trip to the US and watch some NCAA hockey. Ice hackey as they call it is getting so big over there and the money that's dropped into their facilities is incredible. I've accompanied many players over the years and have toured countless facilities and they are incredible.... much much much better than any facility in the Q. It's not wonder they attract so many smart intelligent good hockey players. It's not the quickest way to the NHL but it sure might be the best way to a good secure life.
As far as the BOB, I've noticed that the concessions are not getting better, nor is the music. And the anniversary presentations last year got very boring very quickly and I only saw 7 or 8 of them.
mj
Thanks for all your insight MJ, it is very interesting to read.
RépondreSupprimerI've seen video's and heard great things about the ambiance of NCAA games, one day I would love to attend a game.
As for the Bob, it's glory days are over. The crowd,concessions, animation, music... everything is lame.
Here comes Gryger with the puck, he's across the blue line......OoOOOooOOoohhhh he's crushed in the boards like yesterday compost by MJ....
RépondreSupprimerWelcome to the big leagues Gryger.....
Thanks for the intel about the other arena's MJ, I also love the Val D'or arena, specially post renovations...and I always liked the dark side of the Rouyn arena...looks more bright now days post renovations.
I will not put my name next to liking the Ottawa civic center, on that one we are not on the same page LOL...every time I go there i get the HBGB'S...
The Ol' Bob in the 80's and 90's was like a little Montreal Forum, the place was nothing short of a hockey palace...the LA Kings use to hold their traning camps there in the Gretzky era...that says it all about the building and our organisation, back then!!!
I remember laughing at people who told me a few years back int he finals of 2010....this place is on fire...and my reaction was .....it's loud....but it's not real.....yeah certainly people we're having a good time and the hockey was good....but there we'rent loosing there freaking minds and the hockey was not OUT OF TIHIS WORLD...
You could go watch a game in november and leave with the impression that you just saw a game 7...now days you go see a second round playoff game and you feel like you just watch day four of training camp.
NCAA crowd look very lively, feels like they're at a party....something I like to see and feel....but I would prefer the cut throath Guertin atmosphere of a playoff game in the 1999 run....did you live a little bit of that run MJ? If so I would really like your input of that...
Long lives old time "ice" hockey.....:-)
Leblanc, NCAA games are terrific and H4L is right - it's a party atmosphere and sometimes I wonder how much some of these young people are actually watching the game. But, as a fan of hockey, it's exciting and actually hard hitting.
RépondreSupprimerH4L - I neglected to say that I also do like the atmosphere in Rouyn but the arena itself is just OK. The fans are really into it though. I was there last year during the infamous Bourret incident with a fan. I was actually fairly close to the altercation. It was wild. Some fans were almost in shock as to what was going on while others were ready to jump in the penalty box and maim Bourret. The previous night was comical as well as Regimbald was no where to be found for the first half of the opening period. For those two games at least, the Olympiques and coach Groulx were totally outclassed by two pretty good teams with loud and cocky fans.
I missed yesterday's game. Sounds like I missed a very good one. Good for Sheppard coming back from a concussion and jumping right back on the horse and inflicting pain on a very good player - Weegar.
Is there really a new Ontario big guy with the team? I've never heard of him. Two things : I would hope they didn't sign him before he got here and made tons of promises they will not keep. But, I would hope they have not let him on the ice during a practice and it has been their custom in the past. This is illegal. They cannot do this. They cannot have a player who is owned by another team step foot on the ice at the BOB without negotiate for his rights beforehand. Mr. Groulx and Mr. Sear would be in serious trouble if this is proven... maybe not with the Q because it's a bush league when it comes to rules, but with the CHL and David Branch. I'll try to find out. If anyone else knows if the kid has practiced with the team, let me know.
mj
The fans up in Rouyn were very classy when we beat them in game five to win the Q back in Giroux's final season. They congratulated us, and hung around for the ceremonies and to watch us party with our players down in the corner in front of where we were all sitting.
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