Log in & Sign up
You are not logged in.
About Mike Boone
Full Name
Mike Boone
Web site
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/columnists/mike_boone.html
About
I grew up in Park Extension, within walking distance of Dickie Moore's Dairy Queen on Jean Talon. Moore had a place on L'Acadie Blvd., and we used to see him driving around in his convertible with a Samoyed and a very dishy wife.
While "studying" at McGill University during the 1960s, I used to attend games at the old Montreal Forum. My fellow undergraduate reprobates and I would scramble up the stairs to get centre-ice spots in the top standing room section, where aged ushers didn't know or care what we were smoking.
I stood out in the cold for six hours to get tickets to the 1975 New Year's Eve game between the Canadiens and Central Red Army. With the exception of the birth of my daughter, the 3-3 tie was the greatest event I've ever seen in my life.
The Canada-U.S. Gold medal game comes close .... but I wasn't there.
I've been a professional journalist since 1974, when I joined the Montreal Star sports department. I've covered the 1976 Olympic Games, the 1979 Expos, pop music and MSO tours of Europe and Asia (classical musicians are WAY more fun to drink with than athletes). I wrote a TV & Radio column for 20 years and, since 2000, have written a City column for The Gazette.
The best part of being a Habs Inside/Out contributor is attending games at the Bell Centre. I think it's a great building: noisy, raucous and packed to the rafters with Montrealers and visitors who live for hockey.
And I still get goosebumps every time Michel Lacroix booms out "Accueillons nos Canadiens ..."
Having seen the Boston Red Sox win two World Series and the Pittsburgh Steelers add a couple Super Bowl titles, I suppose I can die happy ... but not before another Stanley Cup parade. And I'd really like my daughter to see a historic New Year's Eve game.
I like all the players. Covering baseball gives me a profound appreciation of pro athletes who aren't jerks.
My weltanschauung was summarized by the late great Bill Hicks when he said "all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream and we are the imagination of ourselves."
Have a nice day.
Boone's Online Eeee-mail
Share the agony and ecstasy of Habs fandom and read live blogs from every game with Gazette columnist Mike Boone.
The Puckcast
Weekly commentary and inside info about the Canadiens straight from the Gazette's experts.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Follow Habs Inside/Out on Twitter, featuring live updates from Gazette feature writer Dave Stubbs.The Other Wing
The Other Wing features regular Habs commentary by some bloggers we like.
The Rules
Habs Inside/Out encourages lively debate, but there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding racism, profanity and behaviour that we deem to be offensive. We will, without warning, ban those who do not abide by this simple rule, so as to maximize the enjoyment of readers and participants of both sexes and all ages.
Habs Inside/Out main RSS feed
Mike Boone's RSS feed
PuckCast RSS feed
Other Wing RSS feed
Site concept and design by User Generation
Most Commented
Most commented posts from the last 7 days:
Resources
Player info: League info:
Habs Inside/Out: Absolutely everything about the Montreal Canadiens
For editorial inquiries, contact Gazette sports editor Stu Cowan (scowan@thegazette.canwest.com).
For advertising inquiries, please contact your Gazette sales representative (gazadv@thegazette.canwest.com).
©2008 The Gazette, a division of Canwest Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Statement
Nevermind this post, trying to figure out how to link text
http://www.break.com/game-trailers/game/starcraft-2/internet-troll-inter...
Funny as heck tho
Goalies in Montreal have two roles, netminder and scapegoat.
they already scrapped it......
I used to be a great fan of Halak. Followed him from the day he was drafted. However, Slovak media and their unfair claims that he was traded solely based on his nationality, to make a space for a younger Canadian goalie, as well as many HIO posters saying Gauhtier and Gainey et al. are stupid, dumbasses, incompetents, etc. etc. because of trading him, make me feel really sick of Jaro and I went from a big fan to someone who will be quite happy every time he lets in a softie or gets yanked (except for national team games).
I personally have respect for the Habs management because of their experience, age and their desire to do their best for the franchise, even though I don't always agree with them. Show me a management that hasn't done a very questionable move or hasn't made a mistake that the Habs fans would hate them for and call them incompetent for.
So it is somehow Halak's fault? Talk about misplaced emotions dude and a fair-weather fan. Halak had NOTHING to do with the trade in fact he said he would have preferred to stay in Montreal. You want a former fav player to fail because he was traded?
"There is no way Alex Auld was going to be on this team this year, unless he flew to France during the summer and bathed in the holy waters at Lourdes." BRIAN BURKE
So why WAS he traded? We all know (now) that cap space was not the issue?
Come on...this is getting brutal. Who cares why he was traded? It's pretty obvious the Habs think Price will be better because he's bigger, stronger, and younger. They've made their decision and time will tell if they were right.
Get over it.
Go Habs Go!! "Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them." - Sam Pollock
Oh right - I forgot that height was the direct link to a netminders greatness. Stronger? maybe when hes not 20 lbs overweight. Ok, now talk about his "outstanding" save percentage.
The "get over" it is such a weak comment. This trade will be debated for YEARS - if you are already sick of it, perhaps you may want to read another site, till about 2013.
True fans should be able to question this trade without being judged as a non fan. If you want to blindly support a team with no logic and intelligence, I'm sure there is room in leaf nation.
If we kept Halak, we would have not have been able to sign Pleks.
Goalies in Montreal have two roles, netminder and scapegoat.
Yes we could have.
Yeah but according to the all seeing and all knowing adam the cap wasn't the real reason. Even though it was already said by gauthier he knew he couldn't afford to sign both him and pleks. Thats what makes some of the posters here so funny to read. The facts get placed directly in front of them and if its no to their liking,they stick with their own fantasy. I know some had said to try to move hamrlik but the way the market is now you can get 3 good younger players for 5.5 million instead of 1 aging vet.
Leafstv "telling their fans they deserve to win for over 40 years"
Wow, yet another waste of a thread. 2 nights in a row and counting.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Questions+linger+about+halak+trade...
Logical questions that will never be answered.
A pointless article in a no-news cycle.
Happier with Halak instead of 3 with "potential."
happy with lars eller and ian shultz
inb4 haters
why we got lars eller?
Strange...a hockey-related post? On HIO?
But in my opinion, I think you speak the truth. And if those 2 fail, we have done nothing to address the issue, meaning we will likely be watching the playoffs on TV.
Go Alex Auld - our starting goalie as of right now! Woot!
__________________________
"Peoples will only be truly free when the last king is strangled by the bowels of the last priest" Denis Diderot
Actually we HAVE done something to address that issue, and it was acquiring Lars Eller.
I give Lars only a 50% chance of making the team.
I give Lars only a 50% chance of making the team.
Lars Eller made the All-Rookie team of the AHL this year, which included star prospect John Carlson from WSH, Montreal star prospect P.K. Subban, the guy who boosted his Rookie of the Year Trophy Tyler Ennis from BUF and Sharks prospect Logan Couture, who despite only playing 42 games for his AHL team, had 53 points.
For a player who was for the first time playing on NA ice, Eller was considered one of the three best rookie forwards in the AHL, that's not nothing and he played it on a rather average AHL club no less. Got two All-rookie players to start next season, I'll take that.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
thats good ahl info.....and ellers could become a very good nhl player but there is no way we can predict he will produce in his first year beyond 10-15 goals at best...which is not bad but not enough to address goal scoring issues if pouliot and ak46 dont produce
Can't expect too much, but as a 3rd-line center he'll have good opportunities and he's got two-way ability so that gives the team more options on the PK since it would be better if our top two centres didn't spend so much time doing that. Goal scoring issues will depend on the production of AK and Pouliot naturally, but Eller gives the team a new option and he's a kid so he'll have a lot of room to improve.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. http://habsandhockey.blogspot.com/
The point isn't that Eller is guaranteed to score 30, I'm not naive. The point is that unlike last year, we have a real guy who's capable of playing a top 6 scoring role who can push Pouliot or AK46 down the depth chart if they don't produce, so it puts pressure on them. That didn't exist with Moen or Pyatt pushing from the bottom 6, because neither have the skill to stay in the top 6.
Or Pacioretty.
That's how I see it as well, 001...potential is all he is, and to call getting him as addressing our scoring needs is laughable at this point.
Brings to mind the saying "A bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush" or however it goes...Here's hoping though...we need something.
__________________________
"Peoples will only be truly free when the last king is strangled by the bowels of the last priest" Denis Diderot
Potential is all Subban is, yet I'm absolutely sure our defense is at the least twice as good with him in the lineup.
Why was Pouliot in fire when he first joined the Habs & then fizzle out?
same reason price did? who knows
hard to say...was it just change of scenery and after a while he was back to his minnesota days?...the jury is still out on him but he showed potential as a junior and he showed that for 30 games here ..is it mental/physical ..the coaches who are with him daily should have an idea...
Speaking of coaches, the Habs management was CRAZY not give Robinson a job. With him working with O'Bryne & PK they could be the next Robinson/Lapointe duel ...
O'Bryne is young, he has size & he could be very good with the correct coaching....
O'Bryne is young, he has size & he could be very good with the correct coaching....
Size yes.
Young? He turns 26 this summer.
Very good? I don't think so. He's played 125 NHL games and he still has frequent WTF moments, can't shoot from the point, and has the skating ability of a polar bear.
how much has his brain been twisted by Carbo and JM?
i think pk will be an all star one day..obryne is not lapointe...over his career he will score fewer goals than lapointe did in his best season
OMG! I agree with Priceberg...
The end is near, people...repent, and find out what Timo can do for you in your life, and for your eternal salvation!
__________________________
"Peoples will only be truly free when the last king is strangled by the bowels of the last priest" Denis Diderot
nope no more habs discussions here
just a bunch of trolls practicing for the /b/ olympics
Why a Habs fans since 2002?
didnt watch or play before then
wow ...i have not been on the site a while and checked out whats happening...it looks like no more habs discussion but the site has been taken over by people who are in dire need of help from mental health pros...if it is not a hockey discussion why are you here?...
If U look down further, I made a comment against Halak which was hockey related. But a couple members who lack
self-esteem started to fling crap to make themselves feel better ...
I don't think he is assuming anything. As the song says, "With the thoughts you'd be thinkin', you could be another Lincoln, if you only had a brain!"
Take my word on it. They're right. You are in fact an idiot.
RADIO FREE TIMO (RTF): Pelting the airwaves with more pucks than the Habs could muster in a seven-game series!
Saw your On the Air post down; wanna ask ya: do you change accounts on the same page to hold these conversations with yourself or do you keep half a dozen pages open at the same time?
Point is: whatever you wanna call yourself, RTF, Toe, Chris, Pig, Yeats, whatever, can't you get it done with one account? Or if you can't do without some form of congratulation even if it comes from you, at the very least, try to make it just a LITTLE subtle instead of always having the same characters answer within minutes of your long-winded attention-seekin?
Cuz this is just ludicrous.
Keepin it real, I be chillin as
L.Bugs Potter, esq. Brotha to the Man with the Plan, Product-runnin Lead Houndogg with the Voodoo Flannel Posse, and Pimp Extraordinaire of Habsbros Mama Jones Snow Cones, muthafugga: http://habsbros.blogspot.com
you'll never make a good detective
Yet this does nothing to address his initial premise...which - I believe - is on solid ground.
Funny, that - you, calling for subtlety :) Something you are certainly known for.
__________________________
"Peoples will only be truly free when the last king is strangled by the bowels of the last priest" Denis Diderot
Quote of the Day: "No, Priceberg - you are an idiot simply because you are an idiot. it just "is"." Clay4bc
Are your multi-handles getting out of hand lately? Seems like you're talking to yourself half the time.
I would love to come to the Summit to open a huge can of Whoop@$$ on U but I don't want to ruin Ian's hard work....
Thanks man! I appreciate the accolades...
I didn't prepare a speech....but...
I stand here before you humbled by the honor that you bestow upon me, and mindful of the responsibility that it entails...
__________________________ "
Peoples will only be truly free when the last king is strangled by the bowels of the last priest" Denis Diderot
Just think of the great service you have done this person. Would it in fact be better for him to bumble-*** through life not knowing that he is in fact an idiot? It is far better for him to be made aware of his intellectual limitations and for him to make all the adjustments he can to lead a normal life.
One wonders how he made it this far without realizing it...I mean, I (and countless others) have dropped not-so-subtle hints along the way, but I guess he lacked the faculties to pick up on them. So I tried the direct approach this time.
In time, he will thank me for it...
__________________________
"Peoples will only be truly free when the last king is strangled by the bowels of the last priest" Denis Diderot
I bet U feel mighty huge among all the little people over there ....
It must really gnaw at you that every time I hit the head I excrete more brain cells than you will ever have.
I figured as much. U spank the monkey all day ...
Funny how Clay & a select few may bash & insult fellow members at will & not get their accounts deleted ....
You'll be at PRICEBERG2 pretty soon if you keep whining.
I tell it like it is ....
But, but, buuuuuuuuuuuuuut, you're an idiot!
You might want to duct tape your bum. You're losing too many brain cells on each evacuation!
Give it a rest! Better posters than you have been banned for no other reason than because they took on dolts like you. HIO is as Robert Downey Jr. might have said moronical!
U R not worth a pinch of coon sh!t ...
You're gonna be the Prince of the Summit next season. You have it written all over you!
Knuckles, you going to make it to the summit this year?
I'm thinking about it. The thought of playing at the four rinks at Broussard -- the site of my last great triumph on Canadian soil -- and being flogged, er I mean blogged, could be a hoot.
I wouldn't mind seeing some of U kids .... I bet U wouldn't be so cocky in person?
Actually sport, those that know me would tell you that on the ice I'd hospitalize you on the first shift. I'll be the guy wearing the Maine jersey at the Summit game.
Ok, right!
Everyone on the net is 6' 5", 240lbs ....
You got one out of two right!
Yeah, 240lbs & 5'9" ...
Try again, sport. Even if that were true, the thing you need to worry about is F = MA. You really don't want to be on the ***-end of that equation with me.
Look here sport, using Chris Nilan as a nick name doesn't make U him... Ok...
I've been around the block jr ... Seen your type many many times ....
As Clay has pointed out, you are an idiot. And, who am I to argue with him?
Clay?
The same Clay who is coaching the Chinese national ice hockey team?
Dude, you are indeed an idiot. It's an unfortunate state of affairs, but one that you should come to grips with and make the best of. It would be far more tragic for you to go through life not knowing that you are in fact an idiot. You should thank Clay for pointing it out to you.
if we could dump hammer would you sign mitchell?
▲
▲ ▲
▲ ▲ ▲
Willie? At $3,5M or more? Even at $1.5M I think he's a serious downgrade. What am I missing?
FREE TIMO!
On this evening's seance, Toe said NO!
And no one knows like Toe knows.
Sorry I missed the broadcast. I was being tailed by a gang of anti-Timonists. Hid out for 3 hours in a Chinese restaurant before I could give them the slip. Mmmmmm...deep fried chicken rolls on a bed of veggies.
FREE TIMO!
FREE WILLIE!
(sorry - couldn't resist)
__________________________
"Peoples will only be truly free when the last king is strangled by the bowels of the last priest" Denis Diderot
Chris would be happy to free your Willie ...
those incompetants bg and pg are standing pat at 47% and 88 points
Is it true that you guys have *** Irvin, Sr. lined up for next week's seance?
at 47% and 88 points standing pat are bg and pg those incompetants, aarrggghh, need brains, brains, no brains, where brains?
Post new comment