The Alumni Lounge: A Montreal Canadiens Podcast

Geoff Molson and Brian Gionta on leadership, learning from the past, and how to win in Montreal

Montreal Canadiens — Thu, 06 May 2021 13:34:18 -0400

0:00 Intro
7:53 Interview with Geoff Molson and Brian Gionta begins
9:00 How the pandemic has changed Geoff Molson personally and professionally
10:30 What Geoff learned from former Molson owners of the Habs
11:00 Brian on learning from Hall of Famers and winning a Stanley Cup as a rookie
14:00 Geoff on buying the Canadiens as a 39-year-old and his first year as an owner
16:00 How Geoff has developed as an owner in his 12 years in the job
18:22 Memories from the 2010 Playoffs
19:20 Brian's reaction to being named captain of the Canadiens
21:16 Geoff on what made Brian a special player
27:20 Patrice, Brian, and Geoff share their superstitions
31:00 Dealing with the pressure of playing for and leading the Canadiens
34:00 Brian on how to make it as a smaller player
36:50 Why Brian hated facing Chara
42:40 Geoff on what he wants his legacy to be

Chris Chelios on Stanley Cups, his time as a Hab, the Malibu Mob and bobsledding

Montreal Canadiens — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 16:27:49 -0400

Chris Chelios took a break from the beach to join Breezer and Chantal in The Alumni Lounge. The three-time Stanley Cup champ and Hockey Hall of Famer chatted away about his career in Montreal, reminisced about his former teammates and coaches, and the Stanley Cup parade in 1986. Chelios had stories for days and spoke about founding the Malibu Mob with actor Tony Danza, briefly turning to bobsledding, the secret behind playing until age 48, and so much more.

Tomas Plekanec on turtlenecks, being a Hab and playing in the Czech Republic

Montreal Canadiens — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 12:28:35 -0400

0:00 Introduction
7:47 Plekanec on his turtlenecks
9:43 Raising his daughter
11:00 His sons love sports
12:39 Plekanec loses to partner and former WTA superstar Lucie Safarova on the tennis court
14:06 Living with a retired pro athlete
14:48 Playing hockey during the pandemic
16:12 Missing fans
16:30 Thoughts on playing pro hockey next season
16:58 Taking it one year at a time
17:20 Brisebois on Plekanec’s rookie camp
18:37 Plekanec developed his work ethic in North America
19:50 Waiting for an NHL call up
21:15 Transition from Europe to North America
22:55 Learning English from Seinfeld
23:33 Thoughts on a career in coaching
24:21 Plekanec on his time in Montreal
24:50 Staying in touch with players and staff in Montreal
26:00 How his role as a center evolved over his NHL career
27:20 Alex Kovalev and Mike Cammalleri are the best players he’s played with
27:56 Hard time playing against Ryan Kesler, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin
29:35 Being paired with struggling players
30:08 Challenge of playing with different line mates
32:00 Memories with teammates
32:35 Brisebois praises Plekanec
35:02 Plekanec loved the pressure of playing in Montreal
36:18 Coaching style
37:10 Being traded to Toronto
38:28 Desire to return to Montreal
39:07 Battling injuries
39:52 Finishing his career as a Hab
41:00 Playing his 1,000th game
42:10 Favorite memories as a Hab: 2010 Playoffs
43:35 First big purchase: a computer
44:10 Life advice
44:51 Playing for Guy Carbonneau, Doug Jarvis, Claude Julien and Michel Therrien
46:00 Alain Vigneault was Breezer’s favorite coach
46:25 Breezer’s impressed by Plekanec’s work ethic
48:54 Message to the fans
49:33 Conclusion

Alex Kovalev on acting, playing in Montreal, and living life to the fullest

Montreal Canadiens — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 09:39:09 -0400

0:00 Introduction

7:20 Beginning of interview

7:33 Kovy on his many nicknames

8:51 Living in Moscow

9:20 Transition to coaching

11:58 Turning to acting after retiring

14:54 Racing around the tracks with Breezer

17:00 Being a pilot

18:15 Being traded to Montreal

24:37 Favorite memories of being a Habs

29:45 Leaving home at age 14

34:43 Style of play inspired by different players

39:30 Playing with Lemieux, Gretzky and Messier

40:07 Being a leader no matter what role he plays

41:45 Famous 7-minute shift with the Rangers

47:33 Bob Gainey’s role in reviving Kovy’s season in 2009

51:35 Disappointing end to NHL career

54:51 Importance of saving money

56:12 Living life to the fullest

Sheldon Souray on regrets, Habs fans, and life after hockey

Montreal Canadiens — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 13:08:02 -0500

0:00 Intro
3:15 Breezer on playing in two separate eras in Montreal
4:11 Boos and ovations from the Bell Centre crowd
7:20 Guy Carbonneau as a roommate
9:35 Sheldon Souray interview begins
11:39 Post-hockey life
14:48 Being traded to Montreal
17:20 Habs veterans lending a helping hand
19:17 Changing the course of his career and getting on the PP
21:33 Practice like you play
22:14 How scouts accidentally made Sheldon a power play threat
24:05 Saku Koivu's return from cancer
28:40 A difficult transition to retirement
33:52 Struggling with addiction and his road to recovery
43:30 Alex Kovalev
46:15 Buying a car with a bag of cash
49:00 Advice for young players