Former Canadian player Francis Bouillon, of Haitian descent, was born in New York. His mother gave birth to him and his brother Éric before returning to Quebec in 1976. Some time later, his father, of Haitian descent, returned to New York to live. A few years later, her mother Murielle met her future stepfather, who was an assistant coach on her team at the Jeunes Sportsifs d’Hochelaga.

Today, Francis not only works at Le Canadien, but also owns with friends the Quebec outfitter Azimut in the heart of Haute Mauricie, north of La Tuque. He began to love fishing in his youth at the Tropicana campsite in Granby, where he spent his summers. He talks to the fishermen about fishing, but especially about hockey.

His mother’s strength of character made him understand the importance of not being afraid to defend his rights. Although the family was not rich, his mother always made sure that he and his brother lacked nothing. Today, his mother and stepfather still occupy an important place in his life, as do his sons Anthony and Michael.

You grew up in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district.

I lived on Rue Hogan, north of Rue de Rouen, two doors down from Saint-Anselme elementary school. On the other side of the train tracks, from Rue Moreau, I had to fight to defend my rights.

You worked at the Paul supermarket and at Schwanzer on Rue de Rouen.

On my three-wheeled bike to make my deliveries, not forgetting that in my youth I delivered newspapers to houses in Place Frontenac. I was unpopular with the residents because I blocked the elevators on each floor during the hour when I was delivering newspapers to the various floors.

Your stepfather Michel didn’t sit next to your mother at your hockey games.

I didn’t understand it until the day I sat next to her at my sons’ game. She never stopped screaming. At the next game it was my turn and I stood alone in the stands.

Have you been a victim of discrimination?

Never, and I couldn’t put it more clearly. My mother, my brother and I lived together. As a big trip to celebrate our holidays, we went to McDonald’s.

Your mother was a good seamstress.

If our friends wore a coat that we liked but we didn’t have the money to buy it, my mother would use her sewing skills to make us one, but not of the same quality but no one would buy it.

You entered the hockey physical education program without ever playing.

I was enrolled in the ice hockey physical education course at Édouard-Montpetit High School in Montreal. However, I encountered a major problem that I was never able to overcome.

What was the problem ?

I had no passing grades in class and was never able to achieve them. This allowed me to occasionally practice with them on the ice and in the gym. However, I managed to get a job at Midget AAA-Bourassa.

Your mother made your outfit.

The QMJHL draft took place at the Maurice Richard Arena. I had no clothes to go there. My mother made the necessary adjustments to my stepfather’s outfit so that I could wear it. I was the only boy running around the arena whose outfit was actually too big for him. QMJHL scouts lied to me because several of them told me I would be drafted in the fifth or seventh round. I was never drafted. So I went camping to end the summer.

Laval Titan coach Bob Hartley believed in you.

I was in the campground swimming pool when my mother picked me up because Bob Hartley wanted to talk to me on the phone. He was very open with me.

“Boy, there’s no room for you on the team, but I’m missing a defender for a few days in training camp. Our head recruiter Richard Lafrenière recommended you.”

How did your mother react?

My mother is a real fighter. She told me without hesitation that despite my small size, I had to fight if I wanted to be part of the team. Otherwise I just had to stay at home.

Did you surprise your coach with your performance?

Bob wanted to see me in his office. I was convinced I was cut off. He explained to me how surprised he was by my performance. Suddenly, much to my surprise, he congratulates me and tells me that I got a place in the team.

25 years after Guy Lafleur you won the Memorial Cup.

In 1971, Remparts captain Guy Lafleur won the Memorial Cup. In 1996, 25 years later, I won the famous trophy as captain of the Granby Prédateurs of the QMJHL. My head coach was Michel Therrien. Finally, when I met the manager of Junior AAA training in Granby, who had denied me the opportunity to train with his team when I was 16, I simply winked at him.

You finally played in the NHL.

I was never good enough to be drafted by QMJHL or NHL teams. However, I played in the NHL for 15 seasons. Today I am a player development coach for the Canadiens.

The Francis Bouillon Arena in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district.

I always thought that this honor only goes to athletes who have had successful careers. I was very touched when I was told that they had paid me this tribute because I was a role model of perseverance for young children.