by Amy, AllHabs.net

ALL HABS HOCKEY MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH MCLEAN’S PUB

January 27, 2011
www.allhabs.net / www.mcleanspub.com

PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL, QC — Montreal is home to some of the most passionate fans in hockey. On any given game night, pubs all over the city are jam-packed with people looking for good food, cold drinks, fun atmosphere, and of course a Habs win. But that’s not enough. What fans really need is a place they can call their “home” for hockey news and entertainment, whether they’re downtown or perusing a trusted website for information on their favourite team.

This week, All Habs Hockey Magazine (AllHabs.net) and McLean’s Pub (McLeansPub.com) announced a new partnership created to further enhance a growing hockey community of their fans, readers and patrons. By building on a foundation of dedicated supporters, both online and in person, this partnership promises to give hockey fans in Montreal something to truly cheer about.

“Sure we’re sports writers, but more importantly we’re hockey fans. We live and die with the team, enduring the ups and downs together.  We know what fans want to experience.”, says Rick Stephens, Editor-in-Chief of All Habs Hockey Magazine. “We’re all about creating a personal fan experience, engaging Habs enthusiasts in a unique way. It’s like a growing family — the folks at McLean’s see it exactly the same way.  Together, we will continue to build our hockey community to make long-lasting connections both online and in person.”

That translates into even bigger and better fan events called Habs Tweetups, an initiative started by the All Habs Network almost three years ago. Using its dominant position in social media and as a strong, recognized brand in hockey media outlets, Habs Tweetups became a vehicle to allow fans to meet in person and develop long-lasting friendships – a step that Rick claims is a natural progression for friends who meet and chat online.

“Passionate sports fans not only want to follow every move of their team, they want to talk about it with other informed fans – and that’s the case in both good times and bad.  Coming to one of our events for the first time is very exciting but we recognize that it can also be a little daunting. We go the extra mile to personally welcome everyone, introduce them to the others, and make them feel like they are part of the family.”

Popularity for Habs Tweetups quickly grew and these days fans can find them in more than ten different cities in North America – from Montreal to Vancouver to New York City and beyond.

Stuart Ashton, General Manager of McLean’s Pub in Montreal, first learned about Habs Tweetups about a year and a half ago through the All Habs Hockey Magazine. “All Habs has been my source for unbiased and well-informed hockey news for quite some time now. I love my Canadiens and sometimes that hurts, but I can always find out what I need to know on the All Habs website!”

He soon approached Rick to host events at his two restaurants, McLean’s Pub and its former sister pub O’Hara’s. “McLean’s is the ideal place – we are large, loud and full of passion on game days. It makes for an amazing environment to watch hockey.”

Stuart believed his venue would be the perfect place for a Habs Tweetup and adds, “Working with Jay Farrar, who manages for us at night, we assured that the All Habs crew would be well taken care of. Each event has been a success and we look forward to making the next even better than the last!”

The All Habs group has since hosted numerous events at McLean’s Pub, from Habs/Leafs rivalry game viewing parties to a “red carpet” tribute party during the NHL Awards and a pre-season celebration of the 24th Stanley Cup win.  According to Rick, they’ve all been memorable.

“McLean’s has excellent food, is only a stone’s throw from the Bell Centre, and offers a great atmosphere for watching sports of any kind,” he says, “but what really sets them apart is their attentive staff.  The folks at McLean’s are experts at making you feel at home.  They make it a point to learn your name, remember your favourite drink, and ensure that you’ll want to come back again.  Whether hosting an event or catching a game after work, it’s the place I want to be.”

It’s a philosophy of customer service and building genuine relationships which is shared by both entities. According to Stuart, the McLean family motto, “Virtue is our honour”, holds true twenty years after original owner Ian McLean purchased the pub. McLean passed away in 2000, but Stuart and his team work to uphold those values today. “We build long-term relationships with our partners, our suppliers, our staff, and our clientele.”

Rick agrees with that ideal and says the core of All Habs is all about community:

“Our mission is to build a world-wide network of Montreal Canadiens fans who are informed, engaged, entertained, and connected. We try things that other people claim can’t be done, and through committed staff and valued partners we have found success.” — Rick Stephens

The first step in the new partnership will be the addition of a monthly All Habs Night at McLean’s complete with reserved seating to watch a Habs game, a special menu, trivia and prizes and so much more. The events will give fans an opportunity to meet other people who share the same interests but will also include all bar and restaurant patrons to further provide that family feeling.

“It would be tough to match the dedication of the staff at McLean’s and the crew at All Habs,” Rick states. “We’ve been building this relationship for a year and a half. We’re committed for the long-term.”  Stuart happily adds, “All Habs is our partner from now on and we plan on growing together. I cannot wait for our next event!”

Stuart and Rick have already begun sharing even more ideas that will soon become fan favourites.  Watch for the launch of new initiatives in the near future!

——————–

AllHabs.net is the premiere source for information, news, analysis, and reviews about the Montreal Canadiens.

If you’d like more information about upcoming All Habs fan events at McLean’s, be sure to follow @All_Habs and @habstweetup on Twitter and log on to HabsTweetup.com for updates and reviews. The next Habs Tweetup is February 11th in Toronto – RSVP and details can be found by clicking HERE.

To learn more about McLean’s Pub, log onto McLeansPub.com to check out their menu and upcoming events.  You can also follow them on Twitter at @mcleanspub and can find Stuart at @stuart_ashton.

• Bourque a joué le gros de sa carrière avec les Flames de Calgary qui l’avaient acquis des Blackhawks de Chicago en 2008. Là-bas, il a su produire jusqu’à 58 points en saison, ayant compté 27 buts lors de chacune de ses deux dernières saisons complètes.

• Un joueur qu’on dit insconstant, mais un qui possède la stature et les habiletés qui ont fait de lui au fil du temps un joueur efficace dans les deux sens de la patinoire. Si Bourque réussit à éviter d’être à l’écart du jeu en raison de blessures (ou de suspensions), les retombées de cette transaction pourraient aussi bien s’avérer très bonnes à court terme plutôt qu’à long terme.

• Il a écopé de deux suspensions pour des coups portés à l’adversaire, non seulement similaires mais dans un même mois du calendrier. (à noter : pas un calendrier complet!)
• Une bonne chose qu’il soit de notre côté maintenant, parce qu’il a à son crédit 6 buts et trois mentions d’aides en 9 matchs en carrière contre le Canadien, comme on a pu le constater notamment lors du désastre de la « Classique Héritage » s’étant tenue à Calgary l’an dernier.

• Il est diplômé de l’université du Wisconsin. L’institution a été récemment affublée du titre de 3^e “école pour les partys” à la grandeur des É-U, mais Bourque maintient qu’elle était la première en titre alors qu’il affichait les couleurs des Badgers.
• Né au sein d’une famille de quatre enfants, dont deux couples de jumeaux fraternels.
• Tout au long de sa carrière de hockeyeur, il a compté autant de points durant les premières périodes de match que durant les troisièmes, ce qui en soit est une bonne nouvelle à double portée pour le CH s’il sait maintenir cette tendance.
• Il a représenté le Canada à l’internationale une seule fois, soit au Championnat du monde de hockey en 2010.
• Parmi ses groupes de musique préférés, on retrouve Kings of Leon et Muse. Il dit pouvoir se priver d’avoir à entendre Chelsea Dagger pour le restant de ses jours, ainsi il sera bon de lui rappeler que dans la conférence de l’Est (si l’alignement actuel est conservé) le CH n’affronte Chicago qu’une fois l’an!

                                            --- Regular Season ---  ---- Playoffs ----
Season   Team                        Lge    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM  GP   G   A Pts PIM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999-00  St. Albert Saints           AJHL   63   44   41   85  113
2000-01  U. of Wisconsin             WCHA   32   10    5   15   18
2001-02  U. of Wisconsin             WCHA   38   12    7   19   26
2002-03  U. of Wisconsin             WCHA   40   19    8   27   54
2003-04  U. of Wisconsin             WCHA   42   16   20   36   74
2004-05  Norfolk Admirals            AHL    78   33   27   60  105   6   1   0   1   8
2005-06  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    77   16   18   34   56  --  --  --  --  --
2006-07  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    44    7   10   17   38  --  --  --  --  --
2006-07  Norfolk Admirals            AHL     1    0    0    0    0  --  --  --  --  --
2007-08  Chicago Blackhawks          NHL    62   10   14   24   42  --  --  --  --  --
2008-09  Calgary Flames              NHL    58   21   19   40   70   5   1   0   1  22
2009-10  Calgary Flames              NHL    73   27   31   58   88  --  --  --  --  --
2010-11  Calgary Flames              NHL    80   27   23   50   42  --  --  --  --  --
2011-12  Calgary Flames              NHL    38   13    3   16   41
2011-12  Montreal Canadiens          NHL     1    0    0    0    0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         NHL Totals                        433  121  118  239  377   5   1   0   1  22

Biographie All Habs | Données compilées par: czechtacular | Traduction: Lyse | Design: Stevo | © All Habs 2012

Video clip from HabsTV

posted to YouTube by bulldogshamilton

MONTRÉAL, QC  – Le Club de hockey Canadien a annoncé jeudi que l’attaquant Andreas Engqvist a été cédé aux Bulldogs de Hamilton de la Ligue américaine.

Engqvist, 24 ans, a pris part à neuf matchs avec les Canadiens cette saison, incluant celui de mercredi soir contre les Red Wings de Detroit au Centre Bell. Il a bloqué quatre tirs et servi sept mises en échec, en jouant en moyenne six minutes et 51 secondes par match.

Rappelé des Bulldogs le 24 janvier dernier, le centre de 6’01’’ et 201 lb vient au deuxième rang parmi les pointeurs des Bulldogs avec 23 points (13 buts, 10 aides) en 27 matchs cette saison. Cinq de ses buts ont été marqués en avantage numérique. Engqvist a obtenu 63 tirs au but et domine les Bulldogs avec un différentiel de +9.

Originaire de Stockholm, Engqvist s’est joint aux Canadiens à titre de joueur autonome le 13 juillet 2009.

January 26, 2012
Hamilton Bulldogs’ Press Release

MONTREAL, QC – The Montreal Canadiens announced today that forward Andreas Engqvist has been assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs. Engqvist participated in last night’s Montreal Canadiens game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Engqvist, 24, has played 9 games for the Canadiens this season, recording four blocked shots and seven hits while averaging 6:51 of ice time per game. The six-foot-one, 201-pound centre has also played in 27 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs this season, scoring 13 goals and adding 10 assists for a total of 23 points. The Stockholm, Sweden native has a team-leading +9 plus/minus rating, registering 63 shots on goal. Five of his goals were scored on the power play.

Engqvist signed with the Canadiens as a free agent on July 13, 2009.

The Bulldogs will host the Toronto Marlies TOMORROW, Friday, January 27^th, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at Copps Coliseum before returning to Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday, January 28^th, 2012 for a 7:30 p.m. matchup against the Lake Erie Monsters. Single game tickets for the 2011-2012 season are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at ticketmaster.ca or through charge-by-phone at 1-855-872-5000.

All Hamilton Bulldogs games can be heard live on AM 820 CHAM or on hamiltonbulldogs.com, or seen live on ahllive.com beginning with the Pioneer Pre-Game Show 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

All Habs Headlines: Thursday January 26, 2011

On this day in hockey history…1961 – Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky born in Brantford, Ontario. 

COUNTDOWN TO GAMEDAY: All Habs Headlines

►Relocation reports ‘just speculation’: TVA Sports’ recent reports that the Baby Habs may be ready to move to Laval as early as the summer of 2013 have been vehemently denied by Hamilton Bulldogs’ owner Michael Andlauer.

“As long as I’m the Bulldogs’ owner, we’re not going anywhere,” he told the Hamilton Spectator on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs’ lease at Copps Coliseum ends after next season, 2012-13. However, Laval has yet to provide a fully AHL-ready arena, despite plans having been in the works for years now.

Read more: Andlauer insists Bulldogs not moving

►They took out my what?: You know the story about the guy who goes into the hospital for a tonsillectomy and wakes up after surgery missing a kidney? Some wondered if the same thing happened to Canadiens captain Brian Gionta as a headline appeared on a Montreal newspaper website reading “Montreal Canadiens Captain Brian Gionta recovering from hip surgery.”  Fortunately for Gionta and Habs fans everywhere, it was simply another gaffe by our mainstream friends.  Gionta is recovering from biceps surgery.

►Gionta hopes to return this season: Brian Gionta was on hand on Wednesday to present scholarships to Quebec athletes as part of the Montreal Canadiens Bursary Program. 28 student athletes between the ages of 14 and 17 competing in men’s and women’s hockey received $1,500 each.  Gionta joked, “They are supposed to be midget players, but I was the smallest of them.”

Gionta had surgery to repair a torn bicep suffered in a game on January 10 during a routine clearing play.

“I’ll be away for a long time, but I still hope to return before the end of the season.” — Brian Gionta

Read more: Gionta: “J’ai encore espoir de revenir.” (French)

►And if Erik Cole was the man?: Who are the leaders on this Habs team?  Brian Gionta, Tomas Plekanec, Hal Gill and Josh Gorges are all part of the leadership group.  But Mitch Melnick posed the question, “Is there a player like Robinson, Gainey or Nilan anywhere near this edition of Canadiens? Sure would be helpful for Subban.”

All Habs staffer Lyse says that the answer is clear to her, “It’s Erik Cole.” Lyse points to Cole’s post-game interview with Pierre McGuire to help make her case.

MONTRÉAL, QC – C’est mercredi soir au Centre Bell que le Canadien disputait son dernier match avant la pause du match des étoiles. Les Red Wings de Détroit étaient les visiteurs, leur première visite depuis le 21 Novembre 2009.

François Lacasse/NHLI Getty Images

Le Canadien est sorti en lion en première période, contre toute attente il va sans dire.

Rene Bourque a ouvert la marque à 5 :08, un but préparé par Scott Gomez. “Gomez joue bien depuis que je suis ici, a déclaré Bourque, j’espère que les partisans s’en rendent compte.” Alexei Emelin a ensuite doublé l’avance des siens en marquant son premier but dans la LNH à l’aide d’un puissant lancé frappé. Andrei Kostitsyn a obtenu une mention d’aide bien méritée sur le but.

David Desharnais a enfilé son premier filet de la soirée à 17 :58, portant ainsi la marque 3-0 pour les locaux. Avant la fin de la première période, Tomas Plekanec déjoue Howard, son 10^e but de la saison, et le CH retraite au vestiaire avec une avance confortable de 4-0.

Ty Conklin a amorcé la deuxième période pour les Wings en relève à Jimmy Howard, qui a accordé quatre buts sur 12 tirs, mais le CH a poursuivi sur sa lancée. À 1 :52, Max Pacioretty enfile son 17^e but de la campagne et procure du même coup huit ailes gratuites aux partisans. Moins de trois minutes plus tard, David Desharnais marque son deuxième but de la soirée et porte la marque 6-0 CH. Qui l’eut cru?

PK Subban a écopé d’une punition pour avoir donné du coude en fin de première période; pénalité qui n’a visiblement pas fait l’affaire de Randy Cunneyworth qui l’a cloué au banc pour toute la durée de la période médiane.

“Ce n’est pas la seule raison, mais on se doit d’être plus discipliné, a dit Cunneyworth. Nous étions en supériorité numérique et on ne doit pas réagir comme ça. C’est juste une question de discipline. Il doit faire les bonnes choses aux bons moments. Il est important de continuer à jouer avec discipline même quand vous avez une grosse avance.”

“Il a écopé d’une pénalité d’égoïsme et avec une avance de quatre buts, l’entraîneur a voulu lui faire comprendre qu’il doit être discipliné. C’était une belle opportunité pour l’entraineur de faire passer son message,” a déclaré Erik Cole après le match.

La troisième période fut l’histoire des Red Wings. Dès les premières secondes, Jiri Hudler inscrit Détroit au pointage.  Il répète un peu plus de six minutes plus tard avec un bon tir du poignet. Ce sera trop peu, trop tard pour l’équipe de Mike Babcock.

Erik Cole complète pour le CH qui l’emporte 7-2 contre la meilleure équipe du circuit. Cette victoire permet au Canadien de grimper d’un rang dans la conférence de l’Est et de dépasser le Lightning de Tampa Bay au 11e rang.

Richard Wolowicz Getty Images

“Quelle victoire!, a lancé Randy Cunneyworth lors de son point de presse. Nous avons préconisé un style nord-sud, les gars se sont dirigés vers le filet avec beaucoup de vigueur. Peu importe l’identité des adversaires, vous aurez du succès en jouant de la sorte.”

“On a toujours de bons matchs contre les bonnes équipes, a déclaré Desharnais. C’est bizarre, mais on gagne contre Boston, les Rangers et Detroit, alors qu’on a du mal à gagner contre les équipes en dessous de nous. On va pouvoir partir l’esprit en paix.”

Mike Babcock a tenu un autre genre de discours. “Je ne veux pas voir la vidéo de la partie, a dit l’entraîneur des Wings. Je veux un verre.”

Bien que la remontée au classement semble encore peu probable pour l’équipe Montréalaise, cette victoire permettra aux joueurs, et aux partisans, d’amorcer le long congé avec de bonnes sensations.

Quelques notes :

Le CH a inscrit 1004 buts à domicile contre les Red Wings de Détroit dans leur histoire. Le Canadien a maintenant franchi ce plateau contre les cinq autres équipes du groupe des « Original Six ».

Nicklas Lidstrom avait disputé 213 matchs consécutifs avant de devoir s’absenter mercredi soir face à CH, en raison de la grippe.

Alexei Emelin a distribué 131 mises en échec dans la LNH avant de compter son premier but ce soir. Boom.

11 joueurs du CH se sont inscrits à la feuille de pointage durant ce match.

Le Canadien disputera son prochain match mardi, le 31 Janvier prochain, contre les Sabres de Buffalo.

MONTREAL, QC. — I came to a very important decision while watching the Canadiens play the Red Wings, and, like a child who wants something from Santa Claus, I’ve decided to do something about it:

Dear NHL:

Hi. It’s me, Rookie. Sorry I haven’t written in so long.

I know that I ask for a lot, and that you don’t usually give me what I want, but I have an idea. Now, I know that not all of my ideas have been good (Infinite simultaneous penalties, possibly resulting in 1-on-1 goalie time? Not my best work.) but then again, neither have all of yours (seriously, just put the kibosh on those pesky TV networks and their ads on the glass.) And maybe I didn’t expect an All-Star Game draft to be a good idea, but you won that round by making some great TV. Here’s my idea, however crazy it may seem:

The Canadiens and the Red Wings need to play each other more often.

Now, I know that you’re thinking about all of your funky conference realignment, or whether your American TV ratings prefer the Flyers, or if it’s fair to the other teams, but I don’t care. Just make it happen. Tonight’s game was incredible, and it wasn’t just because the Canadiens scored seven (or nineteen, or sixty-three, or however many) goals. It’s because there’s some kind of weird magic that happens during Original Six matchups, and we don’t get to see enough of it. Even the low-scoring games are more exciting than I can say.

Now, think about it: the Original Six are probably your biggest cash cows, outside of maybe a certain Penguin/SportChek employee. You could sell so many tickets and so much ad time. You’d make fans happy, which would be quite an accomplishment.

You’d be giving a nod to history. Yes, I know that the “history” argument is a tired one for a Habs fan, but you know I’m right. “Original Six” is one of those hockey buzzwords that everyone loves throwing around; it gets said even more often than “clutch!” People would tune into these games. I’d watch two Original Six teams play each other if one of them was my biggest rival. That’s a lot of eyes on six teams.

No, I’m not being unfair to the new teams. I probably like the Blue Jackets more than the majority of hockey fans do. I just think this would be a worthwhile change to make in scheduling. The Habs play the Buffalo Sabres approximately fourteen times a season, and someone gets injured every time, not to mention that the entertainment value pales in comparison to the average Original Six game.

Please, NHL? I’ll eat all my vegetables, and I won’t tell any lies, and I’ll stop making fun of Brad Marchand’s nose. I don’t care what it takes. Take all of the Buffalo Sabres games, if you need to. The Red Wings and/or Blackhawks can play whoever the Western equivalent of the Buffalo Sabres is, because it’s an absolute shame that the Canadiens only face them once a season.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I appreciate your prompt response.

Sincerely,

Rookie

(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

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