|
|
Post by franko on Dec 7, 2009 8:13:05 GMT -5
Canadiens kept Lach in the dark Oldest player surprised by jersey retirement Immortality rang a suburban doorbell 9 o'clock Friday morning and it was answered by a woman wearing pyjamas and a bathrobe.
In surely one of the best hockey dekes ever, Montreal Canadiens co-owner Geoff Molson and team president Pierre Boivin paid an unannounced, early-morning visit to the home of Hall of Famer Elmer Lach.
Ten hours later, Lach was at centre ice of the Bell Centre, watching a banner bearing his name and sweater No. 16 being winched to the arena rafters. Beside him was his former National Hockey League teammate and captain, Emile (Butch) Bouchard, whose No. 3 was hoisted alongside.great article! |
|
|
|
Post by ValkyrieNS on Dec 7, 2009 8:30:11 GMT -5
Cute quote:
What the Lachs didn't know -- though Lise says she had a hunch, thanks to her woman's intuition and the speculation of neighbours -- was that the legend was to be celebrated that night, his name joining 16 others in the rafters of the Bell Centre.
"I've long told Lise that, if the day came that the Canadiens were going to hang my number, I'd tell them I'd not be available," Lach said, laughing at the idea.
"Yes, he's been saying this for years," Lise said. "And I've been telling him, 'Elmer, that's not nice.' "
|
|
|
|
Post by Skilly on Dec 7, 2009 9:13:44 GMT -5
It would seem the Molson's learned a well needed lesson with the whole Larry Robinson and Boom Boom Geoffrion affair ... kudos to them to do it while they were alive.
|
|
|
|
Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Dec 12, 2009 22:29:58 GMT -5
In high school I sat behind Elmer Lach's son, Ronnie Lach. The Hab's were blessed with so many greats. It will never happen again. We were spoiled.
|
|
