Monday, December 08, 2008

Just another birthday present for the centennial


As the Canadiens begin the celebrations of their 100th anniversary, the players are enjoying the benefits of membership in one of the NHL’s oldest and most treasured of clubs.

This years collection of Les Habitants have just broken in their brand new practice facility, a palace of practice shinny in the suburb of Brossard that has the home side bragging that no expense was spared and no comfort overlooked.

Bill Beacon of the Canadian Press took the tour of the Complexe Sportif Bell, a 36 million dollar training facility that has left the Canadiens wide eyed with excitement over their new home, while the downtown one is not available.

From two sheets of ice and an indoor soccer field (whatever would Don Cherry think) to the usual trappings of comfort such as a hot tubs, SwimEx pool, Gym and trainers facilities that are all above the grade and of a quality that places the Habs in the upper reaches of comfort and training for the players.

While a little out of the way from the downtown scene, the Canadiens clearly aren’t trying to hide from their fans, the practice facility has seating for 850 of the curious, though it’s not expected that they will have to practice in front of a full house, with the entry doors expected to remain locked during those practice times where the Kostityn’s work on their pinpoint passing and such.
The opening of the Canadiens practice facility fulfills a four year wish list from Bob Gainey when it came to his desire to see the Habs with a state of the art practice home in the suburbs.

Just another indication as to how the Canadiens are continuing to build on their history and provide the right atmosphere to return to their Glory years of the past.

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