If a single word can describe the match of the former Canadians which took place on May 2 at the Arena Kevin-Lowe/Pierre-Pagé de Lachute, it is very “memorable”: a memorable experience for the players who faced them, a memorable atmosphere in the targets and an equally memorable visibility for the Lions de Lions de lachute club and the family house at the heart of the generations of Argenteuil event was organized.
Even if several of them have been retired for many years, the players of the former Canadians still have fun skipping on the ice and finding themselves. On the other side of the ice rink, the amateur players who were lucky to confront them had just as much pleasure in living this experience in front of family and friends who had obtained one of the 450 tickets available.
The fact that the event displayed room for almost a week greatly pleases Alexandre Larche, president of the Lions de lachute club and co-organizer of the evening with Jessica Bellerose, of the Board of Directors of the House of the Family in the hearts of the generations of Argenteuil. The two organizations had to share the funds raised by this match fairly, an amount that was estimated at between $ 25,000 and $ 28,000. The final sum collected had not yet been revealed when writing these lines.
“We are really satisfied!” We had an incredible organizing committee, said Mr. Larche a few minutes before the start of the match. I already knew the family’s house but I really discovered it in a different light. They are people with a huge heart. I am pampered to have been able to work with them. »»
“It was a big event to organize, it was arduous but I think that we can say that we succeeded highly, adds Madame Bellerose, at the same time stressing the contribution of Lion Luc Legault to the organization of the evening. It seems that people are there, we display sustainable room. We are really happy! »»
Recall that the funds raised for the family’s house thanks to this event will go for the renovation of the building that the organization acquired a few months ago. The move should take place in the coming months.
Pleasure of playing
David Desharnais, Mathieu Dandenault, Oleg Petrov, Stéphane Richer and Richard Sévigny are some of the former Canadians who were present for this part. The latter were able to meet some supporters before the match, during a VIP cocktail. It is at the end of this meeting that Argenteuil was able to chat with the former CH counters, Yvon Lambert, who was acting as a head coach of the team.
“This is not an easy role!” I have some veterans who are only 35 or 40 years old, so I did not know them too much, he launched in the joke. It’s pleasant to see the joviality between ‘boys‘They like to meet again. And we are well received! »»
Mr. Lambert underlines how happy old Canadians are to be able to participate in this kind of event and to meet. He himself indicates that he is happy to return to Lachute, he who has already held his annual golf tournament at the Lachutois golf club.
For his part, the former CH who also worn the colors of the Nordic, Gilbert Delorme, confirmed that it was pleasant for players to meet and share their love of hockey.
-“These are beautiful memories and at the same time, we meet a lot of people from all over Quebec and even in the rest of Canada,” he said. It’s really ‘l’fun‘! Life is more difficult today and if we can help causes like these, we will do it best than we can. It touches us a lot! »»
Honor
For this match, the former Canadians faced different teams at each of the three periods. All the players who were lucky to play against the glorious former had spent a certain amount to have this honor. And among the lucky 33, we found the Federal MP for Argenteuil-La Petite-Nation, Stéphane Lauzon.
“I’m feverish!” If the real Canadians have been eliminated from the series, we will try to do the same with the elders tonight!, He joined. More seriously, we are there to have fun and for a good cause. I couldn’t refuse when I was approached. I am honored and very lucky to be able to play against them. »»
Mr. Lauzon had a slight advantage compared to his teammates: he knows Stéphane Richer, he who was his trio companion in a garage league in St-André-Avellin.
“There are not many things to defeat him!” He made very short presence on the ice but each time, we only had to give it the washer and we seemed good! »»
Note that two other players’ places were available for the general public on the side of the team of former Canadians. One of these places was taken by Chuck Hughes, recognized chef and host of various culinary programs, he who would have some contacts in Argenteuil. The other place was taken by the Lachutois Mathieu Baril.
“It was really ‘l’fun‘, It is not every day that you can speak with elders of CH, he explained after the meeting. The passes came quickly and it was very skating! The speed of execution is quite different from what I am used to, the guys immediately place to be ready to launch. With the atmosphere there was, it reminded me of the Midget tournament. »»
It should be noted that the organizers of the event allowed the Lachute figure skating club to present a short number during the second intermission while during the first, the stars of the NOVICE-2 class were able to play for five minutes with the former Canadians.
“I found it good,” said Émile Couture, 8, after this short match. I really liked playing in front of the general public. »»
The former Canadians won the 13-11 match. The real winners are however the supporters and organizations who will benefit from the benefits linked to this meeting.
