The issue of speaking French within the Habs organization is a contentious one. Should players like Nick Suzuki or Cole Caufield put more effort into speaking French? What about Jeff Gorton?
None of these key figures in the Habs has conducted a full interview in French, which Brendan Kelly, author of the new book “Le CH et son peuple,” finds perplexing.
Brendan Kelly, a journalist for The Gazette who hails from Scotland, moved to Quebec as a child and learned French to connect better with the local culture. Now fluent, he is promoting his book while also sending a message to Habs players, particularly captain Nick Suzuki, as noted by Mylène Richard from the Journal de Montréal.
In his article, Kelly discusses the significance of French, asserting that players who don’t understand the language are missing out on the local culture. He even criticized Jeff Gorton, who had promised to take French lessons but has yet to engage in a French interview or even respond to questions in the language.
While it’s surely a sensitive issue to address players’ language skills in 2024, there is room for improvement in how players communicate in French. For instance, the Habs could learn from Jason Maas, head coach of the Montreal Alouettes, who encourages his players to appreciate Quebec’s football history and learn some French vocabulary. After wins, they keep score in French, fostering team cohesion on their way to their first Grey Cup victory in thirteen years.
In Montreal, any minor slip by a player in a French interview can lead to sensational headlines, which may contribute to their hesitance in using the language. This aspect needs to be acknowledged.
Striking the right balance is essential, and Kelly emphasizes that he doesn’t expect all players to be bilingual.
