What happens in the locker room should stay in the locker room? One thing is for sure, the publication of the book by former Montreal Canadiens Equipment Manager Pierre Gervais is causing obvious unease among the team’s current players.

Eight players were planning to attend the book launch (and at least four had confirmed their attendance) on Monday night at the Bell Centre, just outside the team’s locker room. None of them eventually showed up. Pure coincidence? Probably not.

“I don’t take it personally, not at all,” Gervais replied when asked about the players’ absence. I understand your schedule. »

transparency

The Canadian’s head coach, Martin St-Louis, showed up minimally to make his rounds, as did Chantal Machabée, vice president, hockey communications. The latter has also shown transparency about the awkward situation surrounding the publication of the titled book In the heart of the dressing room in which former head coach Dominique Ducharme and former general manager Marc Bergevin are skinned.

“There was a malaise, that’s obvious. Players were bombarded with questions [après l’entraînement matinal], recognized Chantal Machabée. For today’s event [lundi], their presence was voluntary, it was not compulsory. »

“The players love Pierre Gervais, but the players loved Dominique Ducharme and Marc Bergevin,” the Vice President of Communications explained briefly. You had respect for these guys. This put the players in a strange situation. »

Legacy for Supporters

Despite the controversy, of course, Pierre Gervais will always be welcome at the Bell Center, he who worked for the Canadian’s organization for 35 years. He regrets neither the publication of the book nor its content. The former equipment manager says he wanted to leave a legacy for the team’s fans. Many of them asked him for his memoirs.

“I didn’t expect there to be so many reactions,” Gervais said of the past few days. I may have been naive, but it made a lot of noise. I say the real deals, it doesn’t suit everyone, but as we say in English: “It is what it is“. »

It was natural for Martin St-Louis to attend the performance, as this was the first time he knew Gervais on the international ice hockey scene.

“Pierre had a long career and I knew him when I was a player at the 2004 World Cup, then at the Turin and Sochi Olympics,” said St-Louis. I was also glad to work with him at the Canadiens for a few months. He’s a great guy and I wanted to show him my support. »

Also positive stories

Aside from the echoes of this famous unwritten law not being respected, Gervais says he has received several positive comments. Equally positive are some of the stories in the book written by Mathias Brunet.

“I’ve had so many good comments from so many people in the hockey world and that makes me really happy,” said the former equipment manager.

“When people read the book, they will see all the positives in this book. Stories starring Saku Koivu, Bob Gainey, Patrick Roy…” noted publisher Richard Beaudry, President of Ovation Media.

In addition to his family members, Gervais took the opportunity to thank Michel Bergeron, Serge Savard, Réjean Houle and Georges Guilbault in particular.