Hit The Post with The Voice of the Als & Canadiens on CJAD

Have the Als and Canadiens ever had more different owners but equally devoted to their teams? Robert Wetenhall is the guy you want to be with if you’re out on the town for Grey Cup week revelry and the carousing reaches the “we’re driving to Florida!” stage. But George Gillett is the man you can trust with the keys and the family jewels.

Wetenhall’s a devoted Notre Dame fan even though he’s a Princeton man. Got his first taste of pro sports management with the Boston Patriots in the 60’s…when they were begging get on the field at Fenway Park around Red Sox games and practiced on what amounted to a field near Logan Airport. But he’s never pressured Popp to favour the Fighting Irish in player personnel decisions (Autry Denson the only significant Notre Dame alum with the Als the past decade). Popp says when Mr. Wetenhall calls its likely late at night when you least expect it, and if its after a loss he is always positive and concerned about the family.

Gillett had a hand in the Miami Dolphins back then, enjoys the Broncos (owner Pat Bowlen is a good friend) and I think one day should buy the Buffalo Bills if only to stave off the NFL’s Toronto Invasion.

Jim Popp’s (proud DDO patriarch) Dad won’t be able to make it up to Grey Cup but Joe Popp will be proudly watching his son’s team in Grey Cup. Hope you didn’t forget it was Joe who first connected Jim with Als’ mastermind Head Coach Marc Trestman. Trestman and Popp the elder worked together with the Cleveland Browns back in the Bernie Kosar years (late 80’s).

Als D-line coach Mike Sinclair was with the NFL East Champion Philadephia Eagles as a player 6 years ago when the Als won the Grey Cup. But Sinclair knows what its like to win the big game at the Big Owe. He was part of the World Bowl Champion Sacramento Surge team that won the WLAF title in 1992, with former Alouette Miles Gorrell and I calling the action on CJAD that June. Sinclair’s teammate at RB was an undersized NFL cut who sure hit the holes hard…future Alouette record-setter and as of this fall Canadian Football Hall of Famer Mike Pringle!

SCARY THOUGHTS: In 3 of 5 Grey Cup starts Anthony Calvillo has been held under 100 yards passing in the 1st Half and in only 1 of 5 Grey Cup starts has he thrown a 1st Half TD! I think this will change under the guidance of the Quarterback Whisperer Trestman.

SCARY THOUGHTS ON PATRICK ROY: Canadiens Coach Kirk Muller tells me he’ll always remember his Habs debut at the Form because of Patrick Roy. Right after the anthems, Muller would peel around and build up speed headed toward his team’s goal while he lowered his head to throw on his helmete. Patrick’s ritual was to chug from in front of his crease to the high slot area. BANG. Collision course. Guess who had to deviate from his usual course in future?

In my next update, Muller steps into the Hockey Confessional on a great Prank against Patrick that he's never admitted to before!