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.
Article comments
1 - Tuffy
The Atlanta Braves created a very strong scouting system in the 90s by concentrating their efforts on a region (Georgia and surrounding) instead of a skill or body type. Could Montreal succeed building a team with such a system or does hockey not lend itself to this approach?
2 - alessandro Nicolo
I know the Braves (and my former Expos who concentrated on Latin America) had the best development system and it has worked for them. I guess there are many ways to appoach this. I believe the New England Patriots consider the character of the player before joining their organization.
The Habs used to have total control over Quebec talent under the territorial draft. Since it was removed the province's best talent was scattered across the league.
The Canadiens could concentrate in Quebec mre but I'm not sure why they don't do this more effectively. They do draft many players from the Province but scouting has not been very strong. Economics plays a role also. Taxes and the currency exchange does not help. Most want to be paid in U.S. dollars. Another problem is that there may not be enough Quebec-born players anymore. Last I checked football and soccer enrollment is passing hockey.
It's tough being a Canadian team in a pro North American league.
Soccer teams like Bilbao and across Europe have strong academies and development programs explicitly attached to clubs. We don't have this in North America. It's a different system and only clubs like the Braves find their niche on their own.
Anyway, maybe I should try and study the actual development process!
3 - alessandro Nicolo
For the record, when I say French talent I mean Quebec talent. Oversight on my part for one small section.
4 - Philip Savage
I enjoyed your article but Basque nationalism (in its Eta form) is still deadly as the recent ceasefire breaking bombing at Madrid airport shows.
5 - alessandro Nicolo
Philip, thanks. I thought they called for a permanent cease fire.