Since joining the 98.5 FM team of collaborators, José Théodore has established himself as an essential voice in hockey.
Relevant, entertaining, and blessed with a natural ability to communicate, the former star goaltender of the Montreal Canadiens leaves no one indifferent.
It’s good to see him back on the public stage. And this reminds us to what extent we have forgotten it in Quebec.
“Even with the Canadiens alumni, unless the Canadiens lost my number, I was never invited to the team golf tournament. Does it make me tired? Yes, it tires me a little. »
José Théodore’s story with the Montreal Canadiens is worthy of a novel, with its moments of dazzling glory, its notable controversies, and, unfortunately, an ending filled with sadness and oblivion.
How could a player who carried the Habs on his shoulders for nearly a decade, winning rare honors and engraving his name among the greats of the organization, be so erased from the collective memory of the club?
Everyone remembers the 2001-2002 season.
Théodore is having a year that makes history. He single-handedly led the Canadian into the playoffs with heroic performances and won two of the NHL’s most prestigious trophies: the Hart, awarded to the most valuable player to his team, and the Vézina, awarded to the best goaltender.
He becomes one of the rare players in Canadian history to achieve this feat, joining Jacques Plante in history.
This season, Théodore is on top of the world. He is the face of the Canadian and the idol of young Quebecers. On the ice he is spectacular, stopping impossible pucks, and off the ice he is a true rockstar, with his flamboyant style, long hair and charismatic personality. Montreal is at its feet.
But with glory also comes trials. Theodore’s status as a town superstar attracted constant media attention, and his personal life became an endless source of controversy.
In 2006, a scandal broke out: his father and two of his uncles were accused of money laundering. Although Theodore is not involved, this affair casts a shadow over his reputation.
Add to that persistent rumors about his bar life and off-ice distractions, and Theodore’s public image begins to deteriorate.
Everyone remembers the “three amigos”: Théo, Mike Ribeiro and Pierre Dagenais who were accused of constantly going out and partying.
But Théo still denies today that he was a “party animal”.
“People talked about us as the “three amigos” with Pierre Dagenais and Mike Ribeiro, but as soon as we left the arena, we hardly saw each other. »
A famous photo showing him with a group of bikers linked to organized crime fuels further speculation. Even though it is an innocent encounter, the image sticks to him and tarnishes his legacy.
Théodore himself points out the potential reasons for this oversight: his image, and the off-ice distractions that have marked his career.
A controversial photo with a group of bikers, a court case involving members of his family, and persistent rumors about his personal life likely played a role in the organization’s perception of him.
“Image is extremely important for the Canadian”explains Theodore.
“With all the distractions off the ice that have occurred during my career, these stories around me, out of my control, it’s probably tiring the organization a little. »
But is that a valid reason to erase a player’s legacy? Especially since other legends of the club, like Serge Savard, Guy Lafleur and Patrick Roy, were also dismissed before finding their place within the big Canadian family.
“I was the first to buy a box for sick children, I was involved with the club. But I was forgotten. »
Théodore himself underlines this reality: for a Quebec player, succeeding with the Canadian paradoxically seems to be more difficult.
“Being French-speaking with the Canadian, instead of having an advantage, you have to fight twice as hard. The reality is still that. »
“When you’re hurt and you have hidden cameras outside your house to make sure you’re really hurt, it’s intense. »
The pressure is getting stronger and stronger. The Montreal media, always fond of drama, are having a field day.
Each poor performance is amplified, each blunder is scrutinized.
In Montreal, being the number one goalie means being the scapegoat for collective failures. Théodore, despite his talent, begins to buckle under this pressure.
In March 2006, at just 29 years old, José Théodore was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for David Aebischer.
How can the organization part ways with a player who, a few years ago, was considered the team’s rising star?
For Théodore, this exchange is a hard blow. He still believed he had several good seasons to offer the Canadian, but the organization seems to want to turn the page.
In the days following the exchange, Théodore confided his dismay. He explains that despite a heel injury that affected his start to the season, he was ready to bounce back.
But he never had that chance.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to show that I could get back to my best level,” he would say later.
His departure marks the end of an era for the Canadian. The organization seems to want to erase its presence. Unlike other players who have marked the club’s history, Théodore is never celebrated, invited to official events or mentioned during ceremonies at the Bell Center.
He is like a ghost, a memory we prefer to ignore.
“I console myself with the idea that Serge Savard, Guy Lafleur and Patrick Roy took time to set foot again at the Bell Centre. But I don’t understand it anymore. »
Despite his exploits, José Théodore is today one of the great forgotten players of the Montreal Canadiens. His 10 seasons with the team, his 141 wins, his Hart Trophy and his Vezina seem to have been swept under the rug.
In a poignant interview, Théodore confides his sadness:
“I see a lot of former teammates who have at least a little mention somewhere. Even with the Canadiens alumni, unless the Canadiens lost my number, I was never invited to the team’s golf tournament. Does it make me tired? Yes, it tires me a little. »
“I’ve never played for honors, and I’m not making a big deal out of it, but I ask myself the same question.”
He also points out that the organization seems to have a selective memory, celebrating some players while ignoring others.
For Théodore, this indifference is a constant reminder of the difficult times that marked the end of his career in Montreal.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Theodore’s story is his relationship with Carey Price, the guard who took his place as the face of the team.
Although he publicly praised Price’s talents, it is clear that Theodore felt some jealousy.
When he worked as an analyst for TVA Sports, Théodore tried to interview Price, but Price did not recognize him. For Théodore, this incident proves the oblivion he faces.
He was also subtly critical of Price’s playoff failures, insisting that for all his talent, Price was never able to lead the team to a Stanley Cup championship.
This silent rivalry reflects the bitterness of a man who feels unfairly left out of the Canadian’s history.
Today, José Théodore lives in Florida, where he leads a quiet life far from the spotlight. He became a successful businessman, collaborating with Serge Savard in real estate.
But despite this success, the lack of recognition from the Canadian remains an open wound. He looks back on his years in Montreal with pride, but he can’t help but wonder what could have been if the organization had made an effort to honor his time.
Yet his legacy is undeniable. Few players have left their mark on the Canadian as he did. His 2001-2002 season remains one of the best ever by a goaltender in NHL history.
And even if he was forgotten by the organization, the supporters still remember his exploits.
José Théodore’s story with the Canadian is that of a local hero who reached extraordinary heights, but was broken by pressure and controversy.
Its oversight by the organization is an injustice that deserves to be corrected.
After all, great hockey stories are made up of moments of triumph and adversity. And that of José Théodore, with its ups and downs, is an essential chapter in the history of the Montreal Canadiens.
It’s time to honor him properly. He deserves to have his name engraved on the Ring of Honor at the very least.
Shea Weber has already had this honor. Théo, who won the most prestigious individual trophy in the NHL (Hart) doesn’t deserve his name on the wall of the Bell Center?
Ridiculous. His loved ones must be so angry.
Our thoughts are with him. In his place, we would want to break everything.
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