Reading over the past few days the biography of Émile “Butch” Bouchard, the official launch of which takes place today, I wondered why this book had not been done before.
The work is signed Pat Laprade. Yes, the same Pat Laprade who co-hosts with Kevin Raphaël the broadcasts of the Lutte WWE Rawat TVA Sports.
Considered the benchmark for wrestling in Quebec, Pat has a talent for writing. He wrote the biographies of Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon and Géant Ferré.
Hockey is also a passion for him. The idea of telling the story of a former Canadian had been in his head for a long time.
So in December 2020, at the suggestion of his former editor André Gagnon, Pat embarked on researching and writing the life of “Butch” Bouchard.
Among his references, a long interview on the life of “Butch” conducted in 2007 by his son Jean. Completed in February and published by the Libre Expression publishing house, the book has 360 pages, and none too many.
I’ll tell you: I’m hooked!
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Captain “Butch” lifted the Stanley Cup four times, including in 1956.
Reference for young people
The book tells the story of Quebec, the Canadiens and hockey from the 1920s to the 1980s through the life and career of Bouchard.
I had already read a similar book, but in English. Entitled : The Last Innocentsthe book was about 1960s American life and civil rights for African Americans, with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the backdrop.
Also, if I can throw a message to the younger generations, read the biography of “Butch” Bouchard.
You will learn all about what your great-grandparents went through during the Second World War, the Great Darkness, the arrival of television, the Quiet Revolution and the rise of Quebec nationalism.
man of conviction
At a time when French Canadians, as we were called, were seen as water carriers by theestablishment English, Bouchard stood out for his strength of character, his negotiating skills and his business acumen. He was also recognized for his altruism, his social commitment and the concern he had for his family.
If Maurice Richard was the idol of the French-Canadian people, “Butch” Bouchard will have been its rock. He learned very young how to make his way in life. He took up beekeeping, a job he continued while playing with the Canadiens.
He happened to miss training camp debuts during the honey harvest. Even if the management gave him this permission, he didn’t like it.
In those days, teams required their players to devote themselves entirely to their sport. However, knowing that he would not play hockey all his life, Bouchard was preparing for his future and that of his five children – a girl and four boys – whom he raised with his beautiful Marie-Claire.
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The number 3 defender then decided to hang up his skates.
Late calling
The practice of hockey came late in his life. His career began in the mid-1930s; he was then 15 or 16 years old.
The trade entered quickly. In 1941, he made his debut with the Canadiens. Seven years later, he became the first French-Canadian captain to be elected by his peers.
The man was rushing to get what he wanted. He was not waiting in line with the other Habs players at the door of the general manager’s office to sign his contract. The “Rocket” relied on him to negotiate his.
The two often came to terms, first with Tom Gorman and then with Frank Selke, hours or even minutes before the regular season opener.
Not intimidated by the mafia
No one intimidated Bouchard, whether in the world of hockey, everyday life or the sometimes rocky world of business.
The godfather of the Montreal mafia of the time, Vic Cotroni, wanted to exert control in the operations of the restaurant that Bouchard owned on rue Saint-Luc – today boulevard De Maisonneuve –, behind the building of the old store spokes Dupuis Frères.
The tension grew to the point where Bouchard felt the need to bring a revolver, which he placed in the glove compartment of his car. He met Cotroni, who finally left him alone.
Buy the book!
It’s worth it