For hockey fans that aren’t completely plugged into the everyday news of the NHL, Georges Laraque was released from the Montreal Canadiens last week. It wasn’t something that was on ESPN’s bottom line ticker and certainly wasn’t the leading story on your local sports report. So why am I talking about an 8-shift-per-game guy who was cut from his team? Well, this personnel decision wasn’t exactly made in a vacuum. While some people in Montreal were focused on Corsi ratings, shooting percentages and ice time, Mr. Laraque was dealing with something much more important than a hockey game. You see, Laraque’s parents and family are from Haiti.
The release of the noted pugilist is not what made headlines however—it was big Georges’ reaction to the news. Here are a couple of parting shots that Laraque had for the Habs:
“Jacques Martin doesn’t like me and doesn’t believe in toughness…” –Georges Laraque (via TSN.ca)
“”Classless,” Laraque said angrily on Thursday, not long after he learned about his impending release. “To do this in the midst of all I’m dealing with in Haiti, the timing is awful. I’m not going to sugar coat anything.” –Laraque (via CTV Montreal)
On the surface, this is nothing more than an organization getting rid of a player that they had no use for on their team. The Canadiens have increasingly moved in a direction that no longer called for a goon fighting specialist. While guys like Brian Gionta and Tomas Plekanec are playing over 20 minutes per game, Laraque was clocking in at a fresh 5:45 per game. In 28 games, he only managed to muster 2 shots on goal all season. It’s not like he was part of the foundation that the Habs were depending on to win hockey games this season.
To the Habs, this isn’t a personal decision either. It’s business. They’re in the business of putting the best team on the ice—the best 20 guys on any given night to help them rack up as many points as they can during the regular season. Ignoring the fact that they keep insisting on starting Carey Price, that’s what they do every night. The simple fact is that they don’t think they need an enforcer to be successful on a nightly basis. As Daryl Reaugh points out, the Habs aren’t the only ones:
There will always be a place for rugged individuals who can play the game and are willing to stick up for teammates but the 2 minute a game fight specialist is about to go extinct.” –Daryl Reaugh (Razor With An Edge)
Let me make this clear: I have no problem with the Habs cutting him because, well, he’s only useful if he’s fighting and he hasn’t been fighting this year. But I have no problem with the comments that Laraque said upon being released, either.
He didn't do enough of this. Or maybe they don't think they need it. Either way.
Usually when a player is pissed at an organization because he’s cut or released, I don’t think twice. You didn’t want to get cut? Play better and score more goals. But obviously, this is a different situation. When I read his comments after his release, it sounds like a guy that has the numb feeling of, “What the fuck just happened?” It sounds like a friend who just lost a loved one—yet is still trying to be strong for everyone else. They’re bound to have a crack or two in their armor.
The Habs say they were going to release him earlier but waited because of the Haitian earthquake. I don’t question for a second their right to release their player—but don’t for a second try to play the empathy card. If they wanted to wait because of the non-hockey things that Laraque is going through, they could have at least waited until things were REALLY sorted out. Waiting a day or two with a tragedy of this magnitude is like giving someone a 10 second head start in a race across the country. It doesn’t mean a damned thing.
Now let’s take this a step further. After you have lost loved ones in a tragedy that has shaken the entire world, tried to communicate with people to see how everyone’s doing AND lost your job, now imagine someone sticking a microphone in your face and asking you how you feel about the recent string of events in your life. Even if he punched the reporter in the face (who is only doing his job), I would have understood. For him to express his anger and disappointment isn’t an example of a spoiled athlete—it’s an example of a human being.
I know that plenty of people all over North America have been profoundly affected by the tragedies in Haiti. People that have never set foot on the island—and don’t even know anyone that has stepped foot on the island have been moved to donate money, raise money and lend support in ways they never could have imagined. Hell, it’s been a profoundly emotional experience for people that didn’t think it would be. Now just imagine what it must have been like for someone who has extremely strong ties to the country.
Put yourself in his shoes...
To put things into better perspective, think of something that might hit a little closer to home for Americans. Did you know anyone that was in Manhattan on 9/11? Did you know anyone that lost their life? Did you know anyone that had a loved one in one of those buildings on that horrific day? Imagine trying to deal with that tragedy—and then your boss telling you that you’re fired. They can say that they were meaning to fire you BEFORE the emotional experience, but it doesn’t change that fact that it adds another nugget of shit on top of your life at a time that you REALLY don’t need to deal with anymore crap. That’s what just happened to George Laraque.
Sometimes people forget that these athletes are human beings. Have you ever been fired? Have you ever lost a loved one? Either one of those things are a highly emotional time. You might be sad, may be angry or might be confused. Whatever you feel, you probably were OVERCOME with your emotions.
Now imagine both of those things happening—at the same time. Then, imagine some reporter shoving a microphone in your face and asking you what you thought of it. Even the strongest people among us would have a hard time keeping it together in a situation like that. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’d probably say the same kind of thing.
He’s an exceedingly good human being. I’m not talking about hockey player, teammate or fighter. I’m talking about the type of PERSON he is. If you have any question on the type of character and good-will this man has, you should check out a great piece that mc79hockey.com had a couple days ago that brings together some stories about the Georges Laraque that we fans don’t see every day.
After the initial shock of his release, Laraque apologized in public. He took the emotion of the REST of his life and made the type of statement that you’d expect from him:
“I was very emotional and I’m very hurt by this decision. I’m a proud guy and I may have let my emotions get the better of me… Needless to say, I’m very disappointed.” –Laraque (TSN.ca)
I’m glad that he came out and said that—but to be honest, I would have been fine if he didn’t. I understand that his comments, while in the context of the world of hockey, really had nothing to do with hockey at all. It’s no different than when a friend is under a ton of stress and snaps at me for no reason. I know it’s not about me and they’re going through a lot. If they apologize after the fact, that’s even better. But honestly, it’s not really needed. I’m smart enough to know that it wasn’t about me.
Recent news says that Laraque is looking at an opportunity to play in Sweden—for FREE. If that’s what he wants, then good for him. Here’s the process for him to actually make it to Stockholm:
“For Laraque to play in Sweden, he would need the permission of the Canadiens. To get that, he would have to waive his no-movement clause (which surely he would agree to do if he wants to play in Sweden) and the club would put him on waivers. If no other NHL club claims him, he would be free to play outside the NHL, say, in Europe.” –Dave Stubbs (Habs Inside/Out)
I hope he waives his no-trade clause—and I hope the Habs grant him his release. In a situation that has been messy from the start, it would be nice if both sides got what they wanted. Laraque just wants to play hockey and the Canadiens just want to make sure it’s not in Montreal.
Maybe then, he’ll be able to get back to a little normalcy.
Matt Reitz is the Editor-In-Chief here at ViewFromMySeats.com and former NHL Writer for ProHockeyTalk on NBCSports. When he’s not shoving a mic in the face of NHLers or explaining why home teams should wear white, he’s usually trying to figure out what song to play next on his iPod. It’s a never-ending job.
