Gervais on the Podcast

[HuGort]

Pierre Gervais, Habs equipment manager from 1987-2022, 35 years. Was on Tony Marinaro podcast last week. During Gervais time 452 players played for Montreal. Some the things Gervais spoke on:
- Michel Bergeron gave Gervais his start in hockey back in 1978. Bergeron was coaching in the QMJHL. Gervais was Bergeron's neighbor. Gervais volunteered for 3 years with Trois-Riveries. When Bergeron went to Quebec City to coach Nordiques, Gervais got a job with Canadiens top farm team in Sherbrooke. In '87, he got promoted up to Canadiens. Eddy Palachuk health was not good.
- Kovalev was most talented hockey player Gervais seen play for Montreal. But he never loved the game. Didn't like the pressure playing in Montreal. Both things held him back from trying hard.
- Richer was similar. Like Kovalev very strong and athletic but didn't love the game and didn't like the pressure playing in Montreal. Didn't always try his best.
- Nilan loved to fight. Gervais spoke about Nilan fight with Jay Miller in Boston. Gervais rookie season, Nilan ans his wife had him over for supper. Made big impact on Gervais.
- During practice one time Kordic seen police officers at rink, he panics and leaves ice for dressing room. Gervais followed him thinking he was injured. Seen Kordic hiding something in his equipment bag. Kordic was always having nose bleeds. he had no prove but put 2 and 2 together.
- The '93 Cup team was build on good netminding, players who had good work ethic and grit. Very similar to 2021 team. It was Guy Carbonneau who noticed McSorley stick and told Jacques Demers. Which led to the game tying goal in Game 2.
- When Serge Savard, Demers, were fired guys Canadiens bought in never had any experience. Ronald Corey's biggest mistake. Tension was bad between Mario and Roy. It was only matter of time before a blowup. After Detroit game Patrick met with Bob Sauve, Roy was willing to comeback but Ronald Corey decided no.
- Subban was good guy but wanted attention. PK was for himself first, team second. Teammates didn't like some things he did. Pacioretty thought Subban wasn't buying into the team. Players voted 19-2 Pacioretty as captain. Teammates thought Subban distraction to team. No jealousy between Subban and Pacioretty. Gervais would have voted for no captain.
- In June, 2016, about 6 in morning Gervais phone rang, it was Bergs. Asked Gervais about Weber in Olympics. Gervais said he was great leader. Big, strong, well respected by teammates. Bergs said you know both guys well, asked Gervais if he would trade Subban for Weber? Gervais told him to call the league now and announce you made a trade. Before Nashville has time to change their mind.
- Max Pacioretty Gervais didn't think he was good person. Kind of spoiled. If Canadiens won game but Max never scored he sulked. Had argument over machine Patches wanted to take on road. Strenght coach was against it. His machine was big, taking up a lot of room on road. He told Pacioretty if he had room he would take it on road. Patches told him it was alright. But people kept coming in saying Max was complaining behind his back. Even went to Bergs.
- Thinks Carey Price has played his last game in NHL.
- Ducharme was very disorganized head coach. Similar to Jean Perron. Neither had the experience. Veterans ran team.
- Weber suffered greatly his last season. Gervais knew it would be his last season. Walking into rink every game he could see the pain in Weber's face. Pain so great in playoffs Weber would cry half an hour most games.
- MSL speech when he joined team was moving.

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[Lafleurs Guy]

Pierre Gervais, Habs equipment manager from 1987-2022, 35 years. Was on Tony Marinaro podcast last week. During Gervais time 452 players played for Montreal. Some the things Gervais spoke on:
- Michel Bergeron gave Gervais his start in hockey back in 1978. Bergeron was coaching in the QMJHL. Gervais was Bergeron's neighbor. Gervais volunteered for 3 years with Trois-Riveries. When Bergeron went to Quebec City to coach Nordiques, Gervais got a job with Canadiens top farm team in Sherbrooke. In '87, he got promoted up to Canadiens. Eddy Palachuk health was not good.
- Kovalev was most talented hockey player Gervais seen play for Montreal. But he never loved the game. Didn't like the pressure playing in Montreal. Both things held him back from trying hard.
- Richer was similar. Like Kovalev very strong and athletic but didn't love the game and didn't like the pressure playing in Montreal. Didn't always try his best.
- Nilan loved to fight. Gervais spoke about Nilan fight with Jay Miller in Boston. Gervais rookie season, Nilan ans his wife had him over for supper. Made big impact on Gervais.
- During practice one time Kordic seen police officers at rink, he panics and leaves ice for dressing room. Gervais followed him thinking he was injured. Seen Kordic hiding something in his equipment bag. Kordic was always having nose bleeds. he had no prove but put 2 and 2 together.
- The '93 Cup team was build on good netminding, players who had good work ethic and grit. Very similar to 2021 team. It was Guy Carbonneau who noticed McSorley stick and told Jacques Demers. Which led to the game tying goal in Game 2.
- When Serge Savard, Demers, were fired guys Canadiens bought in never had any experience. Ronald Corey's biggest mistake. Tension was bad between Mario and Roy. It was only matter of time before a blowup. After Detroit game Patrick met with Bob Sauve, Roy was willing to comeback but Ronald Corey decided no.
- Subban was good guy but wanted attention. PK was for himself first, team second. Teammates didn't like some things he did. Pacioretty thought Subban wasn't buying into the team. Players voted 19-2 Pacioretty as captain. Teammates thought Subban distraction to team. No jealousy between Subban and Pacioretty. Gervais would have voted for no captain.
- In June, 2016, about 6 in morning Gervais phone rang, it was Bergs. Asked Gervais about Weber in Olympics. Gervais said he was great leader. Big, strong, well respected by teammates. Bergs said you know both guys well, asked Gervais if he would trade Subban for Weber? Gervais told him to call the league now and announce you made a trade. Before Nashville has time to change their mind.
- Max Pacioretty Gervais didn't think he was good person. Kind of spoiled. If Canadiens won game but Max never scored he sulked. Had argument over machine Patches wanted to take on road. Strenght coach was against it. His machine was big, taking up a lot of room on road. He told Pacioretty if he had room he would take it on road. Patches told him it was alright. But people kept coming in saying Max was complaining behind his back. Even went to Bergs.
- Thinks Carey Price has played his last game in NHL.
- Ducharme was very disorganized head coach. Similar to Jean Perron. Neither had the experience. Veterans ran team.
- Weber suffered greatly his last season. Gervais knew it would be his last season. Walking into rink every game he could see the pain in Weber's face. Pain so great in playoffs Weber would cry half an hour most games.
- MSL speech when he joined team was moving.

Richer's case was an interesting one. Was seen as a sulker and Burns always felt he didn't have any heart. The reality of course was mental illness. Back in the day, this wasn't really well understood esp in the sports world. A shame he couldn't get some help back then. He should've been a perpetual 50 goal scorer. Just an amazing talent. Not flashy like Lalfeur or Kovalev... but he was big and had a good North South game with a huge booming shot. To this day it was the best shot I've ever seen. Just an incredible blast coming down the wing.

 

[jrom]

Pierre Gervais, Habs equipment manager from 1987-2022, 35 years. Was on Tony Marinaro podcast last week. During Gervais time 452 players played for Montreal. Some the things Gervais spoke on:
- Michel Bergeron gave Gervais his start in hockey back in 1978. Bergeron was coaching in the QMJHL. Gervais was Bergeron's neighbor. Gervais volunteered for 3 years with Trois-Riveries. When Bergeron went to Quebec City to coach Nordiques, Gervais got a job with Canadiens top farm team in Sherbrooke. In '87, he got promoted up to Canadiens. Eddy Palachuk health was not good.
- Kovalev was most talented hockey player Gervais seen play for Montreal. But he never loved the game. Didn't like the pressure playing in Montreal. Both things held him back from trying hard.
- Richer was similar. Like Kovalev very strong and athletic but didn't love the game and didn't like the pressure playing in Montreal. Didn't always try his best.
- Nilan loved to fight. Gervais spoke about Nilan fight with Jay Miller in Boston. Gervais rookie season, Nilan ans his wife had him over for supper. Made big impact on Gervais.
- During practice one time Kordic seen police officers at rink, he panics and leaves ice for dressing room. Gervais followed him thinking he was injured. Seen Kordic hiding something in his equipment bag. Kordic was always having nose bleeds. he had no prove but put 2 and 2 together.
- The '93 Cup team was build on good netminding, players who had good work ethic and grit. Very similar to 2021 team. It was Guy Carbonneau who noticed McSorley stick and told Jacques Demers. Which led to the game tying goal in Game 2.
- When Serge Savard, Demers, were fired guys Canadiens bought in never had any experience. Ronald Corey's biggest mistake. Tension was bad between Mario and Roy. It was only matter of time before a blowup. After Detroit game Patrick met with Bob Sauve, Roy was willing to comeback but Ronald Corey decided no.
- Subban was good guy but wanted attention. PK was for himself first, team second. Teammates didn't like some things he did. Pacioretty thought Subban wasn't buying into the team. Players voted 19-2 Pacioretty as captain. Teammates thought Subban distraction to team. No jealousy between Subban and Pacioretty. Gervais would have voted for no captain.
- In June, 2016, about 6 in morning Gervais phone rang, it was Bergs. Asked Gervais about Weber in Olympics. Gervais said he was great leader. Big, strong, well respected by teammates. Bergs said you know both guys well, asked Gervais if he would trade Subban for Weber? Gervais told him to call the league now and announce you made a trade. Before Nashville has time to change their mind.
- Max Pacioretty Gervais didn't think he was good person. Kind of spoiled. If Canadiens won game but Max never scored he sulked. Had argument over machine Patches wanted to take on road. Strenght coach was against it. His machine was big, taking up a lot of room on road. He told Pacioretty if he had room he would take it on road. Patches told him it was alright. But people kept coming in saying Max was complaining behind his back. Even went to Bergs.
- Thinks Carey Price has played his last game in NHL.
- Ducharme was very disorganized head coach. Similar to Jean Perron. Neither had the experience. Veterans ran team.
- Weber suffered greatly his last season. Gervais knew it would be his last season. Walking into rink every game he could see the pain in Weber's face. Pain so great in playoffs Weber would cry half an hour most games.
- MSL speech when he joined team was moving.

 

[MonkeyBusiness]

Can this guy shut the f*** up? Kovalev didn't love hockey? You don't have such a long and great career without being impassioned by the sport. I still remember the tapes Kovalev made to help young kids develop their skills. It's ridiculous how much of an attention-seeker Gervais is.

 

[JianYang]

Can this guy shut the f*** up? Kovalev didn't love hockey? You don't have such a long and great career without being impassioned by the sport. I still remember the tapes Kovalev made to help young kids develop their skills. It's ridiculous how much of an attention-seeker Gervais is.

The kovalev comment stuck out to me too.

Last time I heard, he was coaching a Chinese KHL team.

And of course, he released that DVD while in montreal.

It seems like he loves teaching the game, so it hard for me to believe that he doesn't love the game itself.

Kovalev struck me as the kind of player who thought the game differently than most players, and if the system didn't allow for his expression, you weren't going to get as much out of him as you would expect.

Enigmatic? Yes

Doesn't love the game? I don't buy it.

 

[HuGort]

Can this guy shut the f*** up? Kovalev didn't love hockey? You don't have such a long and great career without being impassioned by the sport. I still remember the tapes Kovalev made to help young kids develop their skills. It's ridiculous how much of an attention-seeker Gervais is.

Gervais said it. He must know what he is talking about. I'd take his word above yours

 

[ReHabs]

Can this guy shut the f*** up? Kovalev didn't love hockey? You don't have such a long and great career without being impassioned by the sport. I still remember the tapes Kovalev made to help young kids develop their skills. It's ridiculous how much of an attention-seeker Gervais is.

He's giving his impression. I disagreed with his impression on several other points too -- for instance thinking Subban for Weber was a "do it before they change their mind" sorta situation. But he's been in the room, we have not... we should respect his perspective.

Also I think there's a bit of a language barrier there. Maybe he didn't mean that Kovalev didn't love hockey, but that Kovalev didn't love professional hockey and all that entailed. The pressure of being the most skilled guy, having crappy teammates, a captain he didn't fully mesh with... maybe that's what Kovalev didn't appear to love.

For instance with the strong criticism of Pacioretty, I felt it was a bit misplaced. Pacioretty could be a dour, sour, self-centred guy but that doesn't make him a bad person. But to Gervais, he felt undermined by Pacioretty and felt Pacioretty was duplicitous. That's his perspective. Others will say he was a dedicated pro who wanted to up his game. It is what it is, we Habs fans should appreciate insight and perspective from behind the veil... we get too little of it and too much noise as it is.

 

[salbutera]

Can this guy shut the f*** up? Kovalev didn't love hockey? You don't have such a long and great career without being impassioned by the sport. I still remember the tapes Kovalev made to help young kids develop their skills. It's ridiculous how much of an attention-seeker Gervais is.

Kovalev said a while back he went into hockey for the $ that his family needed - he was always a good athlete & the game came naturally to him.

Said his first love was always engineering & aviation - he was able to achieve his dream by gaining his VFR (private pilot instrumentation certification) allowing him to buy & fly a couple of private planes - a Cessna prop, which he’d use to fly back & forth between Mtl / NYC to see his wife and kids & a small biz jet once he was able to accumulate enough flying time to qualify for type certification

Richer also said baseball was his love not hockey, but his father “expected” him to be a hockey player

 

[jellybeans]

Can this guy shut the f*** up? Kovalev didn't love hockey? You don't have such a long and great career without being impassioned by the sport. I still remember the tapes Kovalev made to help young kids develop their skills. It's ridiculous how much of an attention-seeker Gervais is.

Kovalev did say he messed up leaving the for more $$$$ i'm pretty sure Gervais knows a shit load more then you with whats was going on with the habs he was right in the middle of it all.

 

[DailyKaizen]

He's giving his impression. I disagreed with his impression on several other points too -- for instance thinking Subban for Weber was a "do it before they change their mind" sorta situation. But he's been in the room, we have not... we should respect his perspective.

Also I think there's a bit of a language barrier there. Maybe he didn't mean that Kovalev didn't love hockey, but that Kovalev didn't love professional hockey and all that entailed. The pressure of being the most skilled guy, having crappy teammates, a captain he didn't fully mesh with... maybe that's what Kovalev didn't appear to love.

For instance with the strong criticism of Pacioretty, I felt it was a bit misplaced. Pacioretty could be a dour, sour, self-centred guy but that doesn't make him a bad person. But to Gervais, he felt undermined by Pacioretty and felt Pacioretty was duplicitous. That's his perspective. Others will say he was a dedicated pro who wanted to up his game. It is what it is, we Habs fans should appreciate insight and perspective from behind the veil... we get too little of it and too much noise as it is.

Excellent, well said!

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Lol @ at the Weber/Subban trade.

He called the equipment guy to ask if the trade was good , Norris winner with full value at his peak age for a declining d-man.

Im laughing hard right now.

Also about Pacioretty , no one is surprised by that. The guy had less emotions than Plekanec and Markov combined.

Also calling Kovalev someone that doesnt love hockey is just...

 

[SlyIslands]

Lol @ at the Weber/Subban trade.

He called the equipment guy to ask if the trade was good , Norris winner with full value at his peak age for a declining d-man.

Im laughing hard right now.

Also about Pacioretty , no one is surprised by that. The guy had less emotions than Plekanec and Markov combined.

Also calling Kovalev someone that doesnt love hockey is just...

Bergevin called Gervais since he worked with him on Team Canada, you never had a work interview before? He didn't asked for in depth info on Weber.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Bergevin called Gervais since he worked with him on Team Canada, you never had a work interview before? He didn't asked for in depth info on Weber.

Bro he takes care of the equipments, not a team. Also yes I had interviews , he was asked about it , nothing to do with an interview lol

 

[salbutera]

Bro he takes care of the equipments, not a team. Also yes I had interviews , he was asked about it , nothing to do with an interview lol

Gervais was asked for insight as to how a certain player was viewed & interacted in the locker room with fellow players, coaches & staff.

It’s simply performing due diligence - wasn’t the basis of the decision but a data point from a respected member of the organization to help analyze the offer

 

[1909]

Lol @ at the Weber/Subban trade.

He called the equipment guy to ask if the trade was good , Norris winner with full value at his peak age for a declining d-man.

Im laughing hard right now.

Also about Pacioretty , no one is surprised by that. The guy had less emotions than Plekanec and Markov combined.

Also calling Kovalev someone that doesnt love hockey is just...

He knows better than you and me for sure. And so far, no players he talked about in his book called him out or said he was a liar.

 

[StCaufield]

Lol @ at the Weber/Subban trade.

He called the equipment guy to ask if the trade was good , Norris winner with full value at his peak age for a declining d-man.

Im laughing hard right now.

Also about Pacioretty , no one is surprised by that. The guy had less emotions than Plekanec and Markov combined.

Also calling Kovalev someone that doesnt love hockey is just...

I’m sure bergy called everyone he could. I see why it’s funny depending on how you look at it but based on his trade record it worked very well for him. If only he knew how to draft

 

[Wats]

Gervais said it. He must know what he is talking about. I'd take his word above yours

No one who doesn't love the game stays in the game as long as he has...he tried to play at 40 with a league min contract. He played in Europe at age 44. Logically his opinion makes no sense.

 

[417]

This guy's 15 mins of fame can't be over quick enough.

 

[ReHabs]

I’m sure bergy called everyone he could. I see why it’s funny depending on how you look at it but based on his trade record it worked very well for him. If only he knew how to draft

He obviously didn’t call the right people. Bergevin wanted reassurance that Weber would change the atmosphere around the team — because he mistakenly thought the issue with the Habs wasn’t the lack of talent, poor coaching, poor prospect pipeline, lack of player development, etc. but rather the hiphop attitude of Subban who was by far and away our best player after Price.

What happened next was predictable. Weber played as well as expected but the Habs still sputtered — the coach got fired, the new coach couldn’t hit a higher gear, Bergevin traded for Dwight King and Steve Ott and other “attitude” players at the TDL and the Habs got punted out of the playoffs because they were bottom-tier level at scoring goals. Not a real playoff team, a pretending prefender.

Turns out what was obvious turned out to be true: it wasn’t Subban, it was the makeup of the team.

This guy's 15 mins of fame can't be over quick enough.

He’s marketing a book that just came out. The big reception was due to the fact no one else in Habs land wrote anything interesting or insightful about the Habs. We were parched and he brought to us water.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

No one who doesn't love the game doesn't stay in the game as long as he has...he tried to play at 40 with a league min contract. He played in Europe at age 44. Logically his opinion makes no sense.

To be fair, liking to play hockey and liking to play the game at the NHL level (and in a hotbed to boot) are two different things.

 

[Lshap]

No one who doesn't love the game doesn't stay in the game as long as he has...he tried to play at 40 with a league min contract. He played in Europe at age 44. Logically his opinion makes no sense.

As @ExpatHabs said, we were hearing quick personal impressions of a player, not a deep-dive analysis. Kovalev had already played 13/14 seasons by the time he arrived here. Different stage of his career, different motives, different person.

The only parts of Gervais' story I'd take literally are specific events and direct interactions he had. For example, I have no reason to doubt what he said about Bergevin calling him about Weber.

 

[417]

He’s marketing a book that just came out. The big reception was due to the fact no one else in Habs land wrote anything interesting or insightful about the Habs. We were parched and he brought to us water.

I get what he's doing.

I'm just looking forward to his 15 mins of fame running out.

I wasn't parched for this kind of information personally. Zero interest in purchasing or reading that book.

 

[Whitesnake]

lol...not sure why people make a big deal out of Gervais's opinions.....It was a fun book to read. You disagree? Fine. It's HIS opinions with him being in the dressing room. It's HIS book. You want to read a book with a guy who's been in a dressing room for ever? You buy it. You don't care 'cause somehow you think he's an idiot, you don't.

 

[StCaufield]

He obviously didn’t call the right people. Bergevin wanted reassurance that Weber would change the atmosphere around the team — because he mistakenly thought the issue with the Habs wasn’t the lack of talent, poor coaching, poor prospect pipeline, lack of player development, etc. but rather the hiphop attitude of Subban who was by far and away our best player after Price.

What happened next was predictable. Weber played as well as expected but the Habs still sputtered — the coach got fired, the new coach couldn’t hit a higher gear, Bergevin traded for Dwight King and Steve Ott and other “attitude” players at the TDL and the Habs got punted out of the playoffs because they were bottom-tier level at scoring goals. Not a real playoff team, a pretending prefender.

Turns out what was obvious turned out to be true: it wasn’t Subban, it was the makeup of the team.


He’s marketing a book that just came out. The big reception was due to the fact no one else in Habs land wrote anything interesting or insightful about the Habs. We were parched and he brought to us water.

Im talking about just trades and he hardly lost any. He’s an idiot overall but not with trades. Weber got injured and subban retired. Doesn’t matter

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

I am surprised this guy didn't write a book and appear on radio shows talking about his ex-wife when they got divorced.