In an effort to rekindle the city’s passion for hockey, the Montreal transit agency has introduced an exciting initiative featuring four players from the Canadiens. Commuters on the metro will now hear the names of stations announced in French by players Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovsky, Jakub Dobes, and Alexandre Texier, bringing a touch of the Stanley Cup playoffs to daily travel. This move comes after the agency faced criticism for previously removing the phrase “Go! Canadiens Go!” from its bus displays due to concerns surrounding Quebec’s language laws.
A Fresh Voice for Montreal’s Metro
The new announcements are being played as metro cars approach the Bonaventure and Lucien-L’Allier stations, which are conveniently located near the Bell Centre, the Canadiens’ home ground. “This is Lane Hutson, next station Lucien-L’Allier,” can be heard over the speakers, allowing fans to enjoy a unique experience during their commute.
Alexandre Texier, who represented France in the Winter Olympics, expressed his delight at being part of this initiative. “It felt incredible to hear my voice in the metro,” he shared with The Canadian Press. Texier added that he believes this will excite many commuters, as hockey is a significant part of Montreal’s culture.
Reviving the Spirit of the Canadiens
Laurence Houde-Roy, a spokesperson for the transit agency, noted that this campaign marks a pioneering effort for the metro system, introducing fresh voices to a familiar routine. “This is the first time we’ve specifically switched that voice for the next station to feature our four Canadiens players,” she explained. The initiative aims to infuse the energy of the ongoing Stanley Cup playoffs into the daily lives of Montrealers, providing a small but impactful reminder of the city’s hockey fervour.
Jean-François Dumas, president of Influence Communication, commended the campaign for tapping into the deep emotional connection Montrealers have with their team. He remarked that the Canadiens are interwoven into the fabric of the city, serving as a symbol of community pride and identity.
A Response to Language Concerns
The new initiative stems from a previous social media collaboration between the Canadiens and the transit agency, where players delivered short phrases in French within a metro station setting. The enthusiastic response prompted the idea to recreate the players’ voices for the familiar next-stop announcements.
In selecting the players, the agency aimed for a mix of talent and availability, ultimately featuring one fully francophone player, Alexandre Texier. Since the announcement went live, the public’s feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commuters sharing their excitement on social media.
In addition to the metro announcements, select city buses have begun displaying “Go Habs Go!” on their digital destination signs. While drivers must manually update each bus to showcase this message, the agency aims to have all buses modified by April 30, with approximately 38 per cent already updated.
Language Watchdog and Cultural Significance
The transit agency’s previous removal of the phrase “Go!” from bus signs followed a complaint from Quebec’s language watchdog, which raised concerns about language use in public signage. After significant public outcry, the watchdog later clarified that “go” could be partially legitimised as a term of encouragement in sports contexts, but “allez” remains the preferred choice.
Despite these challenges, the Canadiens’ motto continues to resonate deeply within the city’s fan culture. The transit agency’s commitment to updating its messaging reflects an understanding of the strong ties between the team and its supporters.
Why it Matters
This initiative not only brings a sense of community and excitement to the daily commute but also reinforces the cultural significance of hockey in Montreal. By integrating the voices of beloved players into the fabric of public transportation, the transit agency is fostering a shared experience that goes beyond mere travel. As the Canadiens strive for glory in the Stanley Cup playoffs, this creative approach reminds residents of the unity and passion that sports can inspire within a city.
