I suppose Basques and Quebecers could create their own teams and perform well, but this is all hypothetical, now is it?

Athletic Bilbao has become the face of an intensely proud region with a strong sense of identity, Like the Montreal Canadiens that once dominated hockey with French talent, Bilbao for the most part stays loyal to its own kind. As far as I can tell 25 of the 28 players on the squad hail from the Basque region.

I know what some of you are thinking. How successful are they? Actually, Bilbao's record is stellar. As one of the original founders of Spanish organized soccer they has won more games than any other team except for Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Historically, Athletic Bilbao have won eight Spanish titles. This is good for fourth all-time (one behind third place Athletico Madrid). Once more, only Real Madrid and Barcelona have won more. It also reached the finals of the 1977 UEFA cup succumbing to Italian powerhouse Juventus. However, since its back-to-back titles in 1983 and 1984, the squad has struggled to rise above middle-table soccer in Spain rarely place in the top five.

Nevertheless, despite many years of hardships, it's a conscious choice they have made. Are Montrealers prepared to make the same type of sacrifice?

There is something to be said about the maturity level of each. Basque nationalism and identity is far more deep and sophisticated - and once upon a time deadly - than the Quebecois variation. Quebecers tend to talk with the heart but act with the mind.

Are Quebecers willing to accept mediocrity in the name of identity? The answer is probably no. We often hear about how we Montrealers do not tolerate losing seasons.

Which makes all this talk is rather irrelevant. Montreal is a cosmopolitan city in the province of Quebec. Secure in its identity it operates within the dominion of Canada.

How has this served us?

Look up at the rafters in the Bell Centre. You'll see 24 examples.