I never thought I'd be writing anything about Patrice Brisebois. As a former Hab hater, Brisebois was one of my favorite whipping boys. Brisebois retired today after an 18 year career which saw him play 1009 NHL games and win a Stanley Cup in 1993 as a member of the Montreal Canadiens. The former Habs and Colorado Avalanche defenceman showed class and was very gracious in his retirement speech this afternoon. He thanked his family, former teammates, his trainers and the fans; as well as Habs GM Bob Gainey for giving him a chance to return to play for the Habs in 2007. . With tears in is eyes, Brisebois appeared a sympathetic figure who seemed humbled and privileged to have had such a long career. He finished his career with 98 goals and 322 assists for 420 points, including 371 points for the Habs; good enough for 5th place all time on the team for defencemen. Unfortunately for Brisebois, this wasn't always the perception the Habs faithful always had of him, and neither was mine. By all accounts, the former 30th pick overall in the 1989 NHL entry draft had a good career, however, it wasn't always easy.
After a successful Junior career which saw him win 2 gold medals as part of Team Canada's Junior Championship team, Brisebois joined the Habs with lofty expectations; playing his first game during the 1990-91 season and became a regular during the 1992-93 Stanley Cup winning season. Many people had high hopes that local boy Brisebois would be their next superstar, but despite his accomplishments, he was never destined for greatness. Brisebois did have talent; he was a very good skater with a hard and accurate low shot, and he was an excellent passer. However, Brisebois was prone to many defensive miscues in his own zone, and was often over matched and out muscled by forwards in the corners and on the boards. He added muscle later in his career, but was not much of a hitter, although he would surprise the crowd with a big hit every once in a while. But no matter how he played, Brisebois bled the red white and blue of the Montreal Canadiens; and his effort was always there. His game was at his best when he kept it simple: crisp outlet pass to the forwards and good positional defensive play. The Habs fans wanted more however, and they were merciless on him, booing him relentlessly and sometimes undeservedly. I never really liked Brisebois during his first tour with the Habs. I always felt he was a whiner, and he tended to hit his opponents when they weren't in the best position to defend themselves. Late in the 1990's, I witnessed some of Brisebois's antagonistic attributes first hand during a game at the Bell Centre vs my favorite New York Rangers. As aging superstar Wayne Gretzky skated in the corner, Brisebois crosschecked the NHL's all time scoring leader in the back, drawing the ire of the Great one and causing a scuffle. Although it wasn't a dirty hit, it was a cheap one...and it ended up being the motivation the Rangers needed to win the game. Gretzky emerged from the third period scuffle with fire in his eyes, and he victimized Brisebois in OT with a sweet pass between Breezer's legs to a Ranger in front of the net for the winning score. It was classic Gretzky moment, his third assist of the game on a beautiful pass.
With the media and the fans all over him, Brisebois left the Habs after the lockout in 2004, and joined the Colorado Avalanche for the 2005-06 season. With all the weight of the world off him, Brisebois excelled in the thin air of Colorado. He played a career high 80 games and added a career high 38 points. His next season was injury plagued, lasting only 33 games. During his exile in Colorado, a strange thing happened. Fans, media and myself alike, earned a mutual respect for Brisebois. By 2007, he was ready to return to the site of his Stanley Cup triumph; now a seasoned veteran looking to add some experience to a young team. Bob Gainey signed the veteran to a contract, and during the 2007-08 home opener, Brisebois received the loudest ovation of all the players. During the past 2 seasons, Brisebois played a steady game, adding a veteran presence on a team full of youngsters. His career had come full circle, the fans and media alike appreciating his 16 years of service he had given, his contributions to the team overshadowing some of the lower points in his career. He was the victim of unrealistic expectations placed upon him at a young age, and the more he tried to appease the fans, the more he was prone to errors, the louder the boos. He showed great courage and perseverance in overcoming this, and was even The Habs Masterton Trophy nominee in 2008. Thanks to Bob Gainey, Brisebois got to finish his career with the Habs with dignity and class, claiming the Jean Beliveau Trophy, which recognizes a player’s effort, enthusiasm, involvement and time invested in collective and personal initiatives. I can honestly say that I wish the guy well... he went through some rough times, but the true Habs fans appreciate effort, and he always gave it his best. Hopefully he will be remembered for his effort, courage, and perseverance, and for his love of the game of hockey. He is a true Montreal Canadien, with a Stanley Cup ring to prove it. Good luck Pat....
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