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CSL synagogues battle for the Kiddush Cup; TBDJ defeats BIBA

In an unprecedented Jewish sports spectacle which now promises to become an annual affair, the first Kiddush Cup took place February 12 at the Bell Centre – home to the  Montreal Canadiens – and featured teams representing the Beth Israel Beth Aaron Congregation  (BIBA) and Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem Congregation TBDJ ended up winning a hard fought 6-5  decision, but it was the thousands of dollars raised for youth programming and community events for  the two City of Côte Saint-Luc synagogues which was the most important result.

I would like to thank Martin Banoon Photography for some of the excellent shots here of the BIBA and TBDJ teams and of the opening ceremony.

The idea of the Kiddush Cup was conceived by Lawrence Witt, president of BIBA and a lawyer with the firm Heenan Blaikie and TBDJ vice-president Judah Aspler. Each player paid an unidentified fee to play. Funds also came in via ticket sales, silent auction bids, event sponsors and a family skate on the Bell Centre ice. Michel Lacroix, the true Canadiens public address announcer, introduced the starting lineup. They even had the familiar organ music in the background. Rabbis Reuben J. Poupko and Chaim Steinmetz of BIBA and TBDJ respectively served as coaches. The event co-chairs were Ted Quint and Warren Greenstone of  TBDJ and David Diner and Alex Feld from BIBA.

Witt joked that even though BIBA was on the short end of the 6-5 loss, he plans on making a few minor off-season acquisitions to ensure that his club sips from the coveted Kiddush Cup after the 2013 rematch. “Next year, we may even produce a Jewish version of "24/6 - The Road to the Kiddush Cup," he said in reference to the popular HBO  documentary which follows  NHL teams participating in the outdoor Winter Classic.

Talk has already begun about a possible baseball game between the synagogue’s two teams. “This one will for the Seder Plate,” Witt notes.

“TBDJ came into this inaugural game as the underdogs, but keeping with Jewish  tradition, faith and perseverance turned the story around and into a celebration that will last eight days,” added Aspler, who works for Microsoft. “We have no doubt that BIBA will be gunning for us next year, but we've got a team roadmap that will secure our hold on the coveted Kiddush Cup for generations.”

The  RSM Richter Chamberland opening ceremony included Canadian and Israel national anthems interpreted by Cantors Yossi Fleischman (TBDJ) and  Moishe Shur. The ceremonial puck drop was performed by local Police Station 9 Commander Sylvain Bissonnette and Côte Saint-Luc City Councillor Dida Berku.   Some 500 spectators were in attendance.  

Scoring opened at the five minute mark of the first period with a Witt tip-in of a Russell Samuels shot from the point. TBDJ blew the game open in the second frame with a pair of goals by Evan Ellbogen and singles by Greenstone, Avi Miller, Lorne Svarc and Michael Ziegler. BIBA responded with goals by Jeremy Wallace, Howard Wallace and a pair by Oren Nahoum. BIBA pulled Goalie Jake Singal-Kohn in the last minute for the extra attacker, but Team BIBA was stymied by the stingy TBDJ netminder Shaya "Leather Larceny" Csillag, who drove in from New Jersey to play in the game (and drove back immediately after).
One of the goals went to a video replay but was declared a "good " upon review by referee Mark Gross.

The adult game was broken up by a 15 minute kids (ages six to 10) contest and a 15 minute youth (ages 10 to 15) match.

Team BIBA's honourary captain was Israeli Consul General. Joel Lion. He wore   the Israel National Hockey Team uniform and "played" for BIBA. “It was an amazing experience,” said Rabbi Steinmetz. “Everyone had fun at an enjoyable and competitive game.   Of course I am proud of my coaching - in particular because I know so little about hockey. Now that I am unbeaten I’m working on my coaching memoir entitled: ‘The Rabbi's Way: How Studying the Talmud Can Make You into a Better Hockey Player, or at Least, Into a Better Person.’
We left the Bell Centre with our prayers for the Canadiens’ success.”

Svarc of TBDJ noted that the funniest moment of the day came when Consul General walked into the locker room and exclaimed ‘On the ice I have diplomatic immunity." He added how every kid who plays hockey dreams of playing in a professional arena. “They really brought out all the stops for the full experience,” he says. 

 

Hockey legend Dickie Moore visits CSL Arena

It is not every day that Côte Saint-Luc's Samuel Moskovitch Arena gets a visit from a professional hockey legend. Yet there was Dickie Moore, the former number 12 for the Montreal Canadiens,  on hand to watch the CSL Bantam "A" Canucks take on their competitors from St. Laurent.

CSL and District 2 resident Steve Stein and his family took Dickie out for dinner on the occasion of the special date that evening: 12/12 - December 12.  Steve's son Mathew is a member of the Canucks, who lost the game 3-2. Dickie was quite the hit, signing autographs and posing for photos.

Here is more about Dickie from the website Our History.

An energetic and tireless left winger, Moore held the record for points in a season for seven years, earning him two Art Ross trophies.

Pride, skill and determination are all attributes that come to mind when Dickie Moore’s name is mentioned. An outstanding all-around player who approached the game with unmatched ferocity, he spent 12 years with the Canadiens, emerging from his time in the hockey world as one of the greatest wingers in Habs history.

A standout junior who played on Memorial Cup Championship teams in both 1949 and 1950, he broke in with the Habs midway through the 1951-52 season and was assigned two veteran linemates. With Elmer Lach at center and Moore’s boyhood idol, Maurice Richard, on the right side, the rookie picked up 33 points in as many games and continued to shine in the postseason.

Injuries kept Moore from full-time duty over the next two seasons but he answered the call come playoff time, showing the fire and the poise of a veteran when the stakes were at their highest. The Habs won the Stanley Cup in 1953 and the subsequent spring, Moore’s 13 points led all playoff scorers.

Toe Blake’s decision to place rookie Henri Richard between Moore and “The Rocket” the following year resulted in a forward line that was one of the NHL’s best for the next nine years.

All three men were among the most combative players the game has ever seen. Maurice Richard was still the most dangerous man in the hockey world from the blue line in. His younger brother had very few peers when it came to carrying and controlling the puck.

Five consecutive Stanley Cups came Montreal’s way as the tough kid from a rough Montreal neighborhood continued to establish himself as a star. Moore had all the tools at his disposal and he used every one of them effectively. He was a strong skater, smooth stickhandler, crisp passer and had a strong accurate shot.

An offensive threat as much as anyone on the roster, Moore’s greatest asset lay in what he didn’t do. The 5-foot-10, 168-pounder refused to back down from anyone and he refused to lose. Whether it was a race for a loose puck, a battle along the boards or a round of fisticuffs, Moore usually emerged victorious.

Moore’s scoring numbers climbed each year and he became a consistent 20-goal scorer, hitting the mark in six of his last seven years with the Canadiens.

Netting 29 goals in 1956-57, Moore tallied three more in the playoffs, including that year’s Cup-winning marker. In 1957-58, his 36 goals and 84 points topped the league and earned him the Art Ross Trophy, a feat Moore accomplished despite playing the last three months of the campaign sporting a cast on his broken wrist.

He repeated as scoring champ in 1958-59, leading the league with 55 helpers and establishing a new league record with his 96 points. Having toppled Gordie Howe’s previous mark, Moore would see his record stand until Bobby Hull surpassed it in 1965-66.

Moore’s body paid the price for his spirited approach to the game but he refused to slow down, playing through injuries that sidelined lesser competitors. After 12 years of rugged play, his body had had enough. Moore retired after the 1962-63 season to concentrate his efforts on his growing business interests, but he couldn’t stay away from the game he loved.

After playing 38 games for Toronto in 1964-65, Moore moved to St. Louis in 1967-68. The 37-year-old went out with a bang, picking up 14 postseason points as the Blues made it to the Finals in their inaugural campaign.

Moore’s on-ice success ranks among the Canadiens top scorers of all-time; his 254 goals and 340 assists place him in 12th and 13th place, respectively. The man who routinely lifted the level of his game in the playoffs, appeared in nine consecutive Finals. He is 10th for all-time postseason points and assists, and ranks ninth for goals.

Dickie Moore was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1974. On November 12, 2005, his number “12” was retired and raised to the rafters of the Bell Centre.

 

Chazin brothers make history as Bell Centre Habs flag bearers

Two brothers from Côte Saint-Luc have now both enjoyed the thrill of skating around the Bell Centre ice as flag bearers for the Montreal Canadiens. Ethan Chazin (on the ice below) did so when the Anaheim Ducks faced  the Habs on October 25, 2008.  On Thursday, October 13, 2011, for the Habs home opener vs. Calgary, younger brother Ariel got the opportunity.
 
'The chances of being selected for the honour are rare in the number of Canadiens Fan Club members who sign up for the contest 'Skate with the team,' " says Neil Chazin, the proud dad. "Essentially the chances are a little better than winning the 6/49. There is no statistic for siblings to have completed this duty because it has never happened before."
 
Ariel is a nine year old Canadiens fan who plays hockey for the Atom A Canucks in Côte Saint-Luc and is  trying out for the Royal Vale School hockey team this year. Ethan (pictured below) plays hockey for the Hampstead/CSL/Mo-West Pee Wee CC Kings and will be trying out for the Royal West Academy hockey team.
 
So how do you distinguish two same sized hockey players  as flag bearers who are dressed identifcally without any identifiable markings like a name or number? Bright green almost floresenent laces!" explains Neil. " I found our later on that was not necessary because Ariel plays forward and the other lucky winner was a goalie
 
"The experience was sureal. The Canadiens were nice enough to have my wife Perla and Ethan in attendance while Ariel prepared for the ritual. I  think this is a story that touches many at home, those children who dream about the opportunity and what it would be like as a flag bearer."

Minor Hockey League Banquet held in CSL

When I was a youngster growing up in Côte Saint-Luc and playing hockey I always looked forward to the anual end of year banquet. My dad, Lawrence Frederick Cohen (aka Larry Fredericks) was always the emcee. Because he was also the Montreal correspondent for the United Press International wire service, he covered all of the professional sports teams and had connections. So we would always get a high profile athlete to visit. One year it was Habs  legend Jean Beliveau; the next Montreal Expos star Mack Jones.

As a city councillor it is always a pleasure to attend our Minor Hockey League Banquet. The 2011 version, for players in Atom, Novice and PeeWee, took place in the Greenspon Auditorium of City Hall. Victor Waisgrus and his team handed each player a miniature hockey  stick and a framed portrait of themself in uniform and the team photo. A fun time was had by all. Mayor Anthony Housefather delivered words of welcome. Councillors Allan J. Levine and Ruth Kovac were also on hand.

One of the coaches at the PeeWee level was former mayor Robert Libman (right), who enthusiastly called all of his players on stage, including son Daniel. Pictured above is District 2 resident Daniel Leibovits, displaying his stick and photo.

An emotional tribute to the 1994 Montreal Expos

I have had the pleasure of being involved with the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors Sports Celebrity Breakfast since its inception seven years ago. It all actually began with a phone conversation between myself and Harold Greenspon. I was interested in seeking a seat on Côte Saint-Luc City Council back then and it was the constituency of Harold’s that I was targeting. Out of respect I asked whether he had planned to run again, to which he responded “I’m not sure.” I told him that I would never run against him, so when he decides to please advise me as I would love his support.

“Listen,” said Harold, “I am very involved these days with the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors (CJCS). I want to start a Sports Celebrity Breakfast. If you can help me do that, I will support your council run.”

I had previously organized such events at Beth Zion Synagogue with Joe Presser, who was one of the first people I called to join our new committee. I gathered a few others and we agreed to launch this venture. To make a long story short, the Breakfast has gotten bigger and more popular every year. What began as an event for which we hoped to break even evolved into a true fundraiser for an important cause, seniors in crisis, a program that delivers much needed assistance to seniors who are unable to financially look after their needs

As the co-emcee and producer of the event itself, I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  Harold Greenspon turned the chairmanship over to Mike Wagen, senior vice-president of Delmar Cargo, five years ago. Mike  really turned on the faucets in terms of bringing in the dollars. By choosing former limited partner of the Expos Mark Routtenberg and honouring the 1994 team for our 2011 event, we raised over $175,000. We were sold out two months in advance, with more than 650 people on hand at the Gelber Conference Centre, which is attached to the CJCS headquarters.

Routtenberg was a limited partner in the Expos ownership group from 1991 to 2001. He was also a general partner of the Hull Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League when they won the Memorial Cup in 1997 and served as chairman of the Canadian hockey team which captured gold at the Maccabiah Games in Israel that same year, with Jacques Demers as head coach. He is presently the president of Freemark Apparel Brands. Previously, he was chairman of Ideal Plumbing Supplies and president and CEO of Guess Canada Inc.

Among 1994 Expos alumni on hand were manager Felipe Alou (pictured with me below), general manager Kevin Malone, team president Claude Brochu,  Cy Young Award winning pitcher Pedro Martinez, standout outfielders, Rondell White, Marquis Grissom and Cliff Floyd,  pitchers John Wetteland,  Mel Rojas and Denis Boucher. Noted rap artist   Annakin Slayd presented his spectacular tribute to the Expos, which has become a YouTube sensation.

Also on hand were former Stanley Cup winning coach for the Canadiens Senator Jacques Demers, Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes  players  Etienne Boulay and Scott Flory, new team president Ray Lalonde and former player  Bruno Heppelle. Thanks to team owner Farrel Miller and president Sebastien Courcelles, the Montreal Juniors delayed their departure to Halifax for their game three of their first round playoff series in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League so that  head coach Pascal Vincent and three of his top players could join us -  Habs prospects Louis  Leblanc and Philippe Lefebvre and Los Angeles Kings draft pick and goalie J.F. Bérube.

Here is the CTV Montreal report on the event:

 

Former World Boxing Organization super middleweight champion Otis Grant, Canadian Paralympic sledge hockey goalie Benoit  St. Amand, former Canadian LPGA champion Jocelyn Bourassa and  Adam Braz of the Montreal Impact were there. The mascots  were well represented Youppi, formerly of the  Expos and now with the Habs, was joined by Snorro of the Montreal  Juniors and Tak Tik of the Impact. It should be noted that  the Montreal Canadiens were to be represented. Unfortunately for us they were shut out for their  third successive game the evening before and head coach Jacques Martin decided to call a rare Sunday morning practice.

Make no mistake about this though. This was a day to remember the Expos and when it was all over, the feeling was pretty unanimous: if only they had never left. I invited Rodger Brulotte, the voice of the Expos on RDS and French radio, to share in some of the introductions and interviews.  He was superb, providing us with some of his famous home run calls.

Routtenberg put it best when he spoke about the 1994 Expos being one of the best teams in baseball. Unfortunately, with the club in first place towards the end of August, the Major League Baseball Players Association triggered a strike. Both the season and a dream of a World Series championship were dead.

As Routtenberg reasoned, if the strike had never occurred; if the planned downtown stadium had been built; if the Canadian dollar was not valued at close to 60 cents vs. the American buck back then; if there were a proper revenue sharing formula in place, well we would still have our Expos.

“We are the largest North American city not to have a major league baseball team,” said Routtenberg.

The question I asked, and have been doing so for many years, is why does Montreal not at least have a minor league professional team?  Whom better than Routtenberg to try and bring an ownership group together and retrofit the Centre Claude Robillard as their home. Former Expo Warren Cromartie has been working behind the scenes to make this happen. I would bet the likes of Pedro Martinez, who earned  more than $100 million in his career, would climb aboard.

Many of the former Expos whispered that Montreal should get a major league team again. This, I doubt, will ever occur in our lifetime. Montreal will not have a Major League Baseball team in our lifetime, nor in our children's lifetime,” Brochu told me. “The cost is now prohibitive.”

And why can’t our city at least become the home of a minor league pro franchise? “I'm not sure Montreal can handle a minor league club right now,” he said. “We are in a form of denial to some extent, which indicates to me that the mourning of the loss is not over. There is almost no indication in the city that the Expos ever existed and people are only now beginning to say they are missed.” 

Watch the Annakin Slayd video for yourself. I have seen it at least 100 times. You could see tears pouring out of the eyes of grown men today as it played on the big screen.

 

The Expos have been gone for seven years. It is something I always accepted. Did I miss their presence? Perhaps a bit, but after the 2011 Breakfast I realize more than ever what we lost.

 
Pedro sports the Expos cap of THE TEAM 990's Matthew Ross.

 

My personal chat with the great Chris Nilan: all-time Habs tough guy

I remember the moment well. In our youth, my younger brother Chuck and  I were very fortunate to get a lot of tickets to Montreal Canadiens hockey games at the old Forum. Chuck in particular lived for hockey fights. In the winter of 1980 we attended  the game which marked the debut of a virtually unknown tough guy  named Chris Nilan. That season with the minor league Nova Scotia Voyageurs he had scored 15 goals and added 10 assists in 49 games. More impressively, he had 304 penalty minutes. Wearing number 30, Nilan’s became an instant fan favorite. Chuck’s heart was beating a mile a minute as he waited for Nilan to get in his first fight. It did not take long for that to occur.

In my opinion Nilan was the greatest enforcer the Habs ever had. Yes, even more so than the legendary John Ferguson.

Check out this video of a Nilan-inspired brawl with the Boston Bruins.

 

Nilan spent nine seasons with the  Habs. After three seasons with the New York Rangers and a year and a half with his Boston Bruins, he finished his career in 1991-92 with the Habs. He retired with 110 goals, 225 points and 3,043 penalty minutes, adding  eight  goals and 17 points in the playoffs, as well as 541 penalty minutes.

Nilan was selected. 231st overall in the 1978 Amateur Draft. During most of his years with the Habs he played on the team’s top defensive line with  Guy Carbonneau and Bob Gainey 

After last week’s vicious hit Boston’s Zdeno Chara inflicted upon rising Canadiens star Max Pacioretty,  I immediately thought about  Nilan and what he would have done in a situation like that.

Nilan was not only an enforcer. He  could play good hockey as well. As luck would have it he was in town last week  to appear at the Erin Sports Association’s Irishman of the Year Breakfast and good enough to sit down with me for a chat at his downtown hotel.

“I was actually in Afghanistan visiting the troops last week with the NHL alumni,” Nilan shared. “We were all watching the game on a TV feed at 4 a.m. Kandahar time and I went out to get a coffee. When I came back, my former teammate Mario Tremblay, told me I had missed the hit. I didn’t actually see it until I accessed it on my blackberry last Friday morning.”

If Nilan were part of the present-day Canadiens, how would he have reacted to the Chara assault? “If  I was on the bench it would have been hard for me to jump off,” he said “But if I was on the ice something would have happened. That is for sure! When I played, I was not afraid of anyone, no matter how big they were.”

What does Nilan think of fighting in today’s NHL? Brace yourself for this answer! “I think they should take it out,” he stated. “But (Commissioner Gary) Bettman won’t do it. If he realizes afterwards it was a mistake, how does he put it back in?”

Since fighting is still very much part of the game, Nilan believes that instigating a fight and getting an additional penalty for that is not such a bad thing. “In fact,” he said, “it could be one of the best penalties a player can take for his team.”

Nilan told me he is launching a website called knucklesnilan.com and plans to use this to make himself available for speaking engagements. He is also involved in a documentary called The Last Gladiators about fighting in the NHL. The   producers hope ri have it ready to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival next fall.

During his years with the Habs, Nilan and his family lived downtown and in West Island  Kirkland. “We built a beautiful home there,” he says. “I loved the fact it was such a peaceful community where I really felt relaxed.”

Nilan auditioned to become play-by-play man Rick Moffat’s colour commentator for CJAD broadcasts of the Canadiens prior to the season. When Sergio Momesso got the nod, CJAD program director Chris Bury came up with the idea of creating a post-game show feature called “the third man in.” Said Moffat: “Nilan's name certainly came to mind and it seemed like a natural fit.  As Sergio likes to quip on the air, ‘Chris was actually the first man in’ on many occasions.  There is no doubt Nilan remains a beloved figure in Habs lore and is candid and blunt about his views, as he is open and honest.”

If there is one thing that really bothers me about the Canadiens since the duo of GM Pierre Gauthier and coach Jacques Martin took over is the absence of a true enforcer like Nilan on the roster. I am sorry, but Travis Moen, Ryan White or Paul Marra do not really fit the bill. Former GM Bob Gainey signed tough guy Georges Laraque to a $1.5 million per season three year contract. It was clear that whenever Georges was in the lineup, opposition thugs watched their step.  Last season, after Laraque scored his first goal as a Hab, Gainey allowed Martin to whisper in his ear and take Laraque off the active roster. Okay, so Martin did not want to dress Laraque every game. But his mere availability could have come in handy when the Philadelphia Flyers smashed the Habs around in the playoffs.

As Nilan said re Chara: “Do you think  Chara would have continued to go after Pacioretty is Georges Laraque was on the bench?”

Why do the Habs have someone like Tom Pyatt on the team at all? He has one goal this season and when he was forced into a fight with Gregory Campbell of the Bruins he got beaten to a pulp.  I cannot understand why Gauthier did not try to acquire a true tough guy like Chris Neil of the Senators or David Clarkson of New Jersey? If only they could find another Nilan in the system.

Nilan was so exciting to watch .He was one terrific fighter, Just google his name in YouTube to find out. Had he been in the game today he’d easily be making $3 million a year.

I asked Nilan how he interacts with former opponents he fought with. “When I played I did not talk to any of my opponents,” he said. “But that all changes when you retire. I fought Bob Probert  a lot. Before he died last year we were very friendly. We even went on a trip to Afghanistan together.”

While in Afghanistan Nilan said he met with seriously injured troops, flew on helicopter over the warzone and witnessed a rocket missile land within the base he was staying at. He enjoyed the experience immensely, noting that this was his third such trip.

 

 

Saluting David Taveroff's Milestone

Côte Saint-Luc's  Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, David Taveroff (pictured below),, officiated his 1,000th game in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) on Sunday, October 17 in Verdun. That is a remarkable achievement. It's also quite impressive that he kept track of all those games.

Taveroff  joinied only two other officials at the 1,000-game level. He has been officiating QMJHL games for 28 seasons. His first game was on September 25, 1983. His association with the league led to a career highlight when Taveroff officiated at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Sweden in 1993. He is also the video replay judge for the National Hockey League for half the Canadiens games played in Montreal. 

“People who know me, know how much I love sports in general and hockey in particular,” said Taveroff, who joined the City of Côte Saint-Luc in 2002. “Officiating games across Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and Maine has put a lot of kilomteres on my car, but rewarded me ten-fold with lifelong friends and wonderful memories.” 

Taveroff says officiating has given him invaluable experience in managing people and building consensus. 

“When you’re on the ice with young, strong players, you learn how to defuse situations quickly,” Taveroff said. “Hockey—like life—can be a tough, emotional experience and the job of the official is to make sure everyone feels they were treated fairly.” 

QMJHL teams are based in Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Maine. Many hockey greats have passed through the league en route to National Hockey League, including Mario Lemieux, Luc Robitaille, Patrick Roy, and Sydney Crosby. The Montreal Juniors and the Quebec Ramparts are two of the league’s 18 teams. 

“It’s been a blast watching the development of young players and of hockey in general over the past 28 years,” Taveroff said. “Officiating has allowed me to retain a passion for the sport of hockey and to participate at a high level.”

David certainly has his hands full these days in CSL, as he helps to oversee the construction of our new $18 million Aquatic and Community Centre.

Momesso named CJAD colour commentator for Habs broadcasts

CJAD 800  announced today  the signing of free agent Montreal-native Sergio Momesso to join the  Broadcast Team for Montreal Canadiens hockey in the 2010-2011 season. I  had predicted his candidacy a few weeks ago on Twitter and in my Suburban Newspaper column. 

I have known Sergio since he was a teenager starring for Shawinigan in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. As an NDG native, he was indeed a local boy makes good story when he was drafted by the Habs and stuck with them. His family still owns Momesso's Restaurant on Upper Lachine  Road (amazing subs) while Sergio got into the restaurant business on the West Island.

Momesso spent 13-years  in the NHL. He will now be heard on every Canadiens' pre-season, regular season and playoff game.   He will also contribute daily to the Andrew Carter Morning Show (Weekdays 5:30-9:00AM) at 8:25AM and weekday afternoons on the Ric Peterson Show (Weekdays 4-7PM) at 6:25PM.

 “I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences on the ice, and in the dressing room, with Habs fans everywhere”, said Momesso. “It’s really exciting to be part of such a legendary franchise and radio station."

"Momesso had a great following as a player and I'm sure he'll quickly build one as a broadcaster...he'll proudly take the torch from a true champion Murray Wilson," says CJAD 800 Sports Director Rick Moffat.

I know Rick speaks highly of Murray, but I sure won't miss his boring contribution to the broadcasts.

Momesso made his NHL debut with the Habs at the age of 18.   He wore  number 36 and scored 29 of his 152 career regular season goals in "bleu, blanc, rouge" while racking up more than 1,500 penalty minutes.  Momesso earned his Stanley Cup ring as a member of the Canadiens in 1986, and went to the Stanley Cup Final as assistant-captain with the '94 Canucks.

Habs add another Jewish player in Halpern - CSL would welcome him!

This message is for Jeff  Halpern (pictured below), the newest member of the Montreal Canadiens and the second Jewish player to join the roster after Michael Cammallari. I know the team's training facility on the South Shore makes  it pretty tempting to  buy or rent property in that area. But as a nice Jewish boy,  who has sat out games in the past to observe Yom Kippur, we'd love to have you reside in Côte Saint-Luc.  As a city councillor in the community I officially hold out the welcoming mat.

Here are a few good reasons

1. You have several synagogues to choose from.

2. Legendary hockey writer Red Fisher  (below)  lives here.

3. CJAD sportscaster Abe Hefter's sister lives here.

4- Former Washington Capitals Jewish goalie Bernie Wolfe is from the Luc.

5- There is a great kosher food section at the Cavendish Mall IGA.

6- We can arrange for you to get a front row seat at the annual Yiddish in the Park event.

7- Someone will certainly invite you over for Shabbat Dinner.

8- Former Habs defenceman Mathieu Schneider bought a home here when he played for Montreal (oops, a few weeks after the purchase he was traded)

Halpern's background is quite impressive, as this wealth of information I picked up from the internet shows. After graduating from Princeton University, Halpern began his NHL career in the 1999–2000 NHL season for the Washington Capitals; he played in 79 games, scoring 18 goals with 11 assists, and was +21. He was the first member of the Capitals to come from the Washington, D.C. area. Halpern first attended Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, which did not have a hockey team. In order to pursue his dreams as a hockey player, Halpern transferred to and later graduated from St. Paul's School (Concord, New Hampshire) where he was roommates with future Bachelorette winner Ian McKee.

The 2003–04 NHL season was his highest-scoring season to date as he finished with 19 goals and 27 assists in 79 games. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Halpern played for the Kloten Flyers and for HC Ajoie in Switzerland, and returned to the Capitals when the lockout ended. On September 23, 2005, the Washington Capitals named Halpern the twelfth team captain in franchise history.[1] In the 2005–06 NHL season, he scored 11 goals, and added a career-high 33 assists. On July 5, 2006, Halpern left the Capitals as a free agent and signed a 4four-year deal with the Dallas Stars. On February 26, 2008, Halpern was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning along with Mike Smith, Jussi Jokinen, and a 2009 fourth round draft pick in exchange for Brad Richards and Johan Holmqvist. Halpern scored a goal in his Lightning debut, and added an assist. After being acquired by the Lightning, Halpern went on a huge hot streak, scoring 10 goals and 18 points in 19 games. He also led the league during the 2007–08 NHL season in games played as one of only two players to appear in 83 games, or one more than a team's full schedule, as a result of his trade to Tampa Bay. The other was Brian Campbell. Playing in 52 games during the 2008-09 NHL Season, Halpern scored seven goals to go with nine assists.

Halpern was named the captain of the United States national team for the 2008 World Championships in Canada. Playing in a 5–4 loss in the opening round against the Canadian team on May 6, 2008, he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and was expected to be out of action for six to eight months. This occurred in the same game where USA goaltender Tim Thomas was injured and had to leave the team Halpern was traded from the Lightning to the Los Angeles Kings March 3, 2010 and had nine goals and 10 assists last season.
 

Halpern is a member of the Greater Washington (D.C.) Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

How the Sports Celebrity Breakfast Began

I had the privilege of serving as co-emcee of the sixth annual Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors (CJCS) Sports Celebrity Breakfast on March 28 at the Gelber Centre. Close to 600 people were on hand, raising about $115,000 for seniors in crisis.

From day one I have served on the organizing committee of this event. It all began with a call from former Côte Saint-Luc City Councillor Harold Greenspon. He was vice-chairman of the CJCS at the time. “I want to start a Sports Celebrity Breakfast,” he said. “Will you help me?”

This call came  at the same time Côte Saint-Lucers had voted to demerge from the City of Montreal. While it was still a year and a half before a vote to elect a reconstituted Côte Saint-Luc council, I asked Harold if he had plans to run.

“Probably not,” said Harold.

“Then I will make you a deal,” I responded. “If  I help you get this breakfast off the ground, will you endorse me as your successor in District 2?”

A deal was made and Harold and I began to plan. We assembled a small committee and set the following spring as our objective. The intent here was to break even and give the community a star studded event they could enjoy.

We sold 400 tickets for the first event and managed to raise a few thousand dollars.  The following fall Harold backed my election bid and I won by a 92 percent margin, in Côte Saint-Luc District 2. While our agreement was only for one year,  I found this experience too enlightening to give it up. We made $10,000 at the second event.  That year we decided to add a “guest of honour” to the agenda in former Canadiens coach Jean Perron, for his role in guiding the Israeli national team. Susequent honourees  were  Alouettes president Larry Smith, Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur, Canadiens president Pierre Boivin and  this year Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo.

When Harold surrendered the chairmanship to Michael Wagen, the  senior vice-president and chief operating officer of Delmar International,  the fundraising aspect exploded.  With invaluable staffer Susan Rozansky coordinating the event and the CJCS Foundation playing a more important  role, we had a marquee “happening” on our hands.  Members of the local sports media began to call me to see if they  could  attend. 

This year’s event included our usual impressive list of guests:  former Habs players  Guy Carbonneau Kirk Muller, Claude Lemieux, Petr Svoboda, Elmer Lach and Phil Goyette;   NHL referee Dave Jackson;  Montreal Alouettes President Larry Smith, accompanied by players Etienne Boulay, Anwar Stewart, Eric Deslauriers,  Diamond Ferri and the Grey Cup; former Montreal Expos pitcher Denis Boucher (now a scout for the New York Yankees) and former Grand Slam Baseball School operator Johnny Elias; Montreal Juniors hockey team owner Farrell Miller, team president Martin Routhier and Israeli-born forward Eliezer Sherbatov;  Canadian Olympic diver Marie-Eve Marleau, wrestler Martine Du  Grenier,  Paralympian in Archery Lyne Tremblay, and cross country skier  Dahsa Gazaiova  (just back from the Vancouver Winter Olympics). 

Among the media attending were  Stu Cowan and Herb Zurkowsky  from The Gazette, Paul Graif from CTV and K103 FM,   Abe Hefter from CJAD, veteran broadcaster Jim Bay,  CKAC’s (and former Alouette)  Gabrielle Grégoire and Andie Bennett, Mitch Melnick and  Noel Butler from THE TEAM 990.
By selling corporate tables, organizing a top-notch raffle and silent auction and  publishing a souvenir program book, Wagen has made this one of the most successful breakfast fundraisers in the community. Having noted lawyer Morden “Cookie” Lazarus as honourary chair provides us with one of the more well connected personalities in town. Cookie has the contacts and our committee benefits.

This year’s event was videoed, including the dramatic opening introductions and a classic interview by Melnick and Bennett with Elmer Lach.  It brought the house down.  We hope to find a way to post it online.
I do want to conclude that the genesis of this breakfast was in Côte Saint-Luc.  The city organized a few of its own such events and so did Beth Zion Congregation. I worked on the latter with Joe Presser.  It provided us with the template for the successful CJCS Golden Age of Sports Celebrity Breakfast. Joe Presser, incidentally, was one of the first people I asked to be on the committee. He is also a constituent of mine in District 2.