Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Dear Bruce Boudreau

Dear Mr.Doughboy Boudreau,

This is to inform you that you are what's wrong with the NHL. This, of course, will be a shocking revelation for you, but you really need to know.

Last week, as you're certainly aware, Max Pacioretty sustained a severe concussion and a broken neck after Zdeno Chara took temporary leave of his senses and drilled him into the stanchion between the benches, head first. This devastating hit turned many people's stomachs, and turned lifelong fans away from the game in disgust. It made them ask when it was that killing blows to the head became "part of the game?"

Not you, though, Mr.Fudd Boudreau. Oh no. You thought the fans' reaction was funny. You blithely told fans who don't enjoy the suspense involved in wondering whether a player is dead or alive that if they don't like it, they should go home.

Well, Mr.Gerber Baby Boudreau, you should be aware that the fans you're telling to go home are the reason you have a nice, cushy job. The fans pay Alex Ovechkin's salary, and, if not for him, you'd be back riding the buses. And the fans pay your wages too. How quickly you forget what life in the minors was like, and how easily you dismiss the genuine anger of the people on whom your lifestyle depends.

Worse than that, you laugh at their legitimate outrage and call it partisan. You know what, Mr.Alfred Hitchock Boudreau? Most right-thinking human beings, hockey fans or not, would have been just as sickened if Hal Gill destroyed David Krejci's health as they were after the hit on Pacioretty. That you can so cavalierly belittle that outrage and imply that people other than Canadiens fans enjoyed seeing that hit is insulting to the sensitivity of most hockey fans.

People like you, who, from your comfortable perch behind your safe bench, continue to insist this kind of devastation inflicted on the long-term well-being of young players is a "normal" part of the game prove how outdated your understanding really is. After all, it's not your brain getting smashed into pulp, is it?

The sad part of it all is, you're in the majority. The more enlightened "hockey people" like Ray Shero and Pierre Gauthier, who want to see changes to protect players' brains, get shouted down by the traditionalists who are perfectly happy to let things go along as they are. The "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality is fundamentally flawed because people like you don't understand that it is broke.

Here's a question for you, Mr.Bunsen Honeydew Boudreau: Would you still be laughing if that hit had been by Hal Gill on your meal ticket Ovechkin? I bet that wouldn't have been a hockey play, would it? Next time, stop and think before you open your gaping pie hole. Or just stuff it with pie. Either way, it would be beneficial to the game if you were to just keep your Neanderthal opinions to yourself.

Sincerely,

J.T.

14 comments:

Janet Aldrich (TEC4) said...

Good on you! Well said.

Howard said...

Great article JT. Just one flaw in assuming that Mr. Bungle HAS a brain!

Lyse said...

Brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Wow, he really pissed you off, didn't he? I don't ever remember you writing like this.

I'm so happy we have you as a Habs fan. Anyway of getting Dr. Evil, I mean Mr. Boudreau to see this post? Seriously.

dusty said...

Always thought Brucey was a good guy. I guess not. As you say, if not for Ovetchkin he is riding the buses. Maybe if the Caps crap out in the first round again, he will be real soon. I know I'll be rooting for anybody against the Caps in the playoffs.

Actually when you think about it, Washington is the center of screw the people. The citizens want an end to war so they send more troops and ramp up the killing. And the list goes on. Brucey fits well in DC.

Great post JT. Thanks again.

lissa said...

Love it - just have to share a photo I did a while back...

http://twitpic.com/49rxh9

Enjoy!

Watching him cross the ice last night from the dressing room to the bench was true entertainment, btw...he looks down the entire time he's walking. One can imagine a thought balloon above his head: "Feets, don't fail me now!"

Anonymous said...

Thing is, if that was Boudreau's poor little so called "Great 8" on the ice knocked out with question marks all over the place on his well-being of ultimately survival of his prized possession, Ovi; then we all know what Boudreau would be shouting! Other players/coaches/fans need to put themselves in the same position that the ppl/org. of Montreal have found themselves in. The coin would be flipped 180 degrees if that were Ovi for Boudreau and Kessel for Wilson. It's been made a big deal cuz of the Habs fan base and their fans passion and knowledge of the game! Go Habs Go!

DB said...

Following his own logic, Boudreau should give up the seatbelts, airbags, ABS, traction control, crumple zones and other safety features in his car and live by the motto if you don't want to get hurt in a car then don't crash it.

Jay in PA said...

Frankly, I always thought he looked more like Charlie Brown, especially when he's frustrated or pissed off--which should be more often now, if there's any justice in the world.

Marco said...

Great article!

In 10-15-20 years, I don't know, we will look back at our present era in hockey and we'll find guys like Burke, Boudreau or Campbell, sooooooo stupid...

punkster said...

What a complete and total ass he is. Good on ya J.T.

moeman said...

Great read. Agree 100%. boudreau is a ****face.

V said...

I have a think about calling people names. Silly maybe, but it just seems to reduce your good argument. Your arguing for reason and it's not reasonable to belittle others based on their physical characteristics.

OK, now I will get down off my high horse. I certainly agree with the essence of your piece. He sounds like a guy who has lost touch with reason... wanting less violence in the sport is not a partisan issue. It's a stand for common sense. Everyone wins with healthier players... as you rightly point out, he himself is one seriously concussed Russian super star away from the minors.

Anonymous said...

I feel badly for calling him names too (I called him Dr. Evil) and my soul feels guilty in chuckling at every name J.T. Called him too. For me anyway, as mature I profess to be, people like Boudreau sometimes get under my skin and make me wanna scream.

I need to take a step back and remind myself that it really doesn't matter what the likes of the Boudreau voices say out there. I saw what I saw and my feelings on the infamous check will not sway.
DanielleJam