It was a proud Pierre Houde, and showing his usual humility, who accepted the Foster-Hewitt Prize Monday afternoon, on the sidelines of his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Our colleague delivered a speech full of emotion in Toronto, thanking in turn members of his family, long-time friends, and professional accomplices who had their say in the development of a remarkable career in the world of sports journalism in Quebec.
“When I received the call last spring telling me that I had been given this honor, I was overwhelmed, speechless. Me, this chatterbox! I think that says a lot about the effect it had on me.
“Last week, my journalist colleague Marc De Foy […] asked me to identify a word to describe the feeling inside me. The one I found is ‘recognition’,” he emphasized.
From a professional perspective, Houde recalled his beginnings in the journalistic sphere, at the end of the 1970s. He then combined work and studies, while he was still in school at university. .
“I am grateful to all those who opened the doors to major radio stations for me despite my very young age,” explained the man who entered the media scene at the age of 21, as host of a program on weekend on the airwaves of - Sports. It was in 1978.
“Having learned my trade from the best in the profession was an immense privilege and a professional springboard,” underlined the man who is now recognized for his flights, such as his traditional “ And the buuuut » when a net is registered.
Our colleague expressed his gratitude to Gérald Jeanneteau and Guy Desormeaux, two great builders behind the birth of the Sports Network35 years ago.
“They showed immense confidence in me by entrusting me with the reins of hockey at RDS when it became our television property. Guy is no longer with us today, but I have the great privilege of being able to count on the presence of Mr. Jeanneteau, first president. Gerrymany people imagined that the station would not survive the first six months. Here we are again, 36 years later. »
It was later under the leadership of Gerry Frappier that Pierre Houde continued to be a crucial figure in the growth experienced by RDS.
The incalculable contribution of his analyst collaborators over the decades has not been passed over in silence, whether it is the late Yvon Pedneault, Pierre Bouchard, Benoît Brunet, or his accomplice of the last 14 years, Marc Denis.
“I am grateful for the unconditional support the NHL has given me over the years. Gary (Bettman), I miss our annual talks during the Stanley Cup Final. But you know what, I am hopeful that we will repeat the experience one day. After all, we each have a good 25 years left in the field! “, he said to the NHL commissioner on a humorous note.
“Also grateful to the Canadiens organization, of course. Geoff Molson and the entire organization give me the privilege of entering the temple of hockey almost every other evening, and to feel at home, to feel welcome. »
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