Gainey's No. 23 joins immortals tonight

OK gang, I've got my awesome custom Gainey tshirt, courtesy of my talented craft-y goddaughter, and am ready to go! Aforementioned goddaughter and I are making the pilgrimage to the Bell Centre to share in this special night. Dave Stubbs, we'll do our best in helping bring the roof down to meet his banner ;-) Thank you, Mr. Gainey, for so much. I'm already a little misty-eyed.

What can one say about Mr. Gainey? I was fortunate to have seen him play, and to realise that he was a special player. Perhaps it is best to quote from Ken Dryden's "The Game." It is a great temptation to say too much about Bob Gainey. It comes in part from a fear, guilt-edged in all of us, that Gainey, a fifteen-goal scorer in a league full of do-nothing thirty-goal scorers, goes too often unrewarded. But mostly it is admiration. If there is such a thing as a "player's player," it would be Gainey. A phrase often heard and rarely explained, it is seldom applied to the best player of a sport, as Gainey is not, for performance is only a part of it. Instead, the phrase is for someone who has the personal and playing qualities that others wish they had, basic, unalterable qualities--dependability, discipline, hard work, courage--the roots of every team. To them, Gainey adds a timely, insistent passion, an enormous will to win, and a powerful, punishing playing style, secure and manly, without the strut of machismo. If I could be a forward, I would want to be Bob Gainey. An "enormous will to win." That seems to describe Mr. Gainey. _________________________________________ "Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power." --Clint Eastwood

I have never had the pleasure and honour of watching Bob Gainey play hockey, but ever since he took over the GM duties of our club, I have seen him handle himself through many obstacles, ordeals and tragedies, both professional and personal, with immense class and dignity. We have all watched him from afar slowly but surely bringing this team back to its proper respect and glory, but for tonight none of that is relevant. Tonight is about him. The fact is that this man has sacrificed blood, sweat and tears for this organization, and is absolutely deserving as any for this honour. I never had the chance to watch Bob Gainey play, but I still have tremendous respect and admiration for the man for what he has done and given to this city. There are only a few other people for which I can say that is true, and their names will soon be joined by his high in the rafters of the Bell Center.

I'm fairly certain the team's communique is incorrect on Gainey's birthday. I think it's December 13, not November. http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com

There's the famous picture of the team hoisting Gainey on their shoulders after the 1979 Cup win in La Presse. On a team full of superstars, that was a great tribute to his worth. _____________________________________________________ Remember February 19th: The Comeback

is there any live broadcast of the ceremony tonight

Once you have gone through the excellent pieces posted on Gainey at the Gazette, I'd like to invite you to check out my own tribute to Bob. I have posted 23 links with 23 pics that cover Bob past and current. The chances are slim, but wouldn't it be great if Gainey pulled off a trade on this day. Could you just imagine the frenzy he could create by simply pulling a cell phone from his jacket as his banner was being raised to field a call! The Habs For Breakfast - All About Bob Edition http://wwwrealitycheckeyesontheprize.blogspot.com/2008/02/habs-for-break... The excellent idea of donating 23 bucks to the Gainey Foundation will be added at the bottom of my post as well. Thanks for the inspiration J.T.

Great column by Brunt. http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080222.wspt-brunt-col-2...

My little tribute to BG Truly a class gentleman who has been through more than any one person should have to deal with. Congratulations Mr. Gainey, You are a genuine inspiration.

I put this up: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Bob_Gainey_Tribute/ Not sure if it'll have any legs but I thought I'd do it just out of respect for Gainey. Hopefully, the guy gets to read it at some point. Add your thoughts if you wish! _____________________________________________________ Remember February 19th: The Comeback

Retiring Bob Gainey's number tonight is not only special but also quite unique. Outside of Ken Dryden, he is the only non Quebec player to have him number retired. He is also the only player who wasn't a 'star' in the popular sense of the word (I think you could say the same for Savard and personally I think Moore's number is only retired because of Cournoyer). Bob Gainey is being recognized for not only his skill but also the intangibles he brought to the game and the team. He never led the league in scoring and he was never voted onto an all-star team. He led the team in a different way. He epitomized what a defensive forward was and defined the requirements for the Selke Award, which is essence was the Gainey award. He led with his leadership, his poise, his tenacity, and his respect for the honour of being a Hab. He knew the true meaning (and responsibility) of the tradition of carrying and passing on the torch. We've had quite a few numbers retired recently as we bring the team forward into the 21st century. I'm sure that Patrick Roy will be given serious consideration for next year. After that there really isn't anyone left that deserves the honour - certainly not from the past. Koivu is still playing and probably will for at least another three years. So that's a a question for another day, a day that's well down the road. Personally, I'm happy that we're not retiring too many numbers - to do so would defeat the entire purpose. We don't want to become the Hockey Hall of Fame where politics and cronism reigns supreme. This is a special honour that is befitting only to very special Montreal Canadien players. Bob Gainey is one of those very special Habs. The Original 24 Cups

You know what would be a nice gesture? If those of us who can manage it could donate $23 to the Gainey Foundation today as a tribute to him. I think you can do it online at the Foundation website. http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com

Watching Bob Gainey take his rightful place amongst the honoured Habs tonight one can't help but think how fortunate the Canadiens have been to have Gainey play his entire career here and then come back and help restore a faded team to it's rightful place. Tonight while watching the ceremony it will be also tough not to think of the legendary Sam Pollock. A man who surprised and shocked the hockey world by taking an unknown from Peterborough, Ontario with his his first round pick in the 1974 draft. And while the "experts" questioned this pick, Pollock saw just a little bit quicker than everybody else, what we'd all come to recognize later. T.C. tc.denault@habsworld.net

As someone who has seen Gainey's entire career, I think he's one of the most influential players of all time. At some point the Selke trophy should be renamed the Gainey trophy, it's only fitting this be done. But first it's meaning must be restored to ensure it honours a player of great work, dedication, and committment. Gainey left his mark on the game, there aren't many players you can say that about, and it's only fitting he be recognized with one of the greatest honours in hockey - having your number retired by the Montreal Canadiens.

Congratulations Bob Gainey! Enjoy the night.

I cannot wait to get to the Bell Centre tomorrow, proudly wearing my own Number 23 jersey. It's always been a classic, now it will be officially recognized as such.

congratulations mr.gainey this honour is very well deserved!!thank-you so very much for all the memories in the 70's era that i grew up in!also thank-you for the job your doing with our team!and i know you will cement your legend even more when you win us the stanley cup as our g.m.!!

I'm assuming that there will be no trades until after BG's # is in the rafters...were he to make an unpopular trade, I'm certain it would not be the sweater being hoisted..lol Seriously, when you were once named the best player in the world,playing for a dynasty team is this not a just move in a sports world that normally accepts mediocrity now,that hilights legal battles instead of athletic ones?

Congratulations to Bob Gainey on a well-deserved honour. The single quality that has distinguished Gainey's career in hockey--whether as a player or in management--is character. That character he displayed in many ways, of course, but above all in always putting the team first. And congratulations to the Canadiens for recognizing that this superb player deserves to have his jersey number retired although he did not rack up the huge goal and assist numbers usually considered essential for extending high honour to a forward. The game is as much about defending as it is about attacking. Gainey was perhaps the greatest two-way player ever.

Look-it,it's one thing to be a fanatical Habs fan" which I am guilty as well"and another to be a realistic Habs fan,the team needs more... I know that,you know that ,Carbo knows that ,Bob knows that...let it be so,Habs rule!!!

What a great player, a great G.M. and a great man!! I will never forget, in a playoff series in the late 1970's, with two dislocated shoulders, he played like a man possessed and was instrumental in bringing us yet another cup. We couldn't have a better man leading the way now and he richly deserves the honour about to be bestowed on him on Saturday.

KJ david, I believe you like Price, a suggestion, if I were a goalie coming into the league, I would watch alot of tape of Brodeur, as he is the best.

WE WILL BE THERE!! WERE LEAVIN TOMORROW MORNING FOR MONTREAL!!!

lats should sit awhile, sloinski should be gone with breeze

Why Why Why.....Is Smokes Playing? WTF?

Hossa in the line up for Atlanta tonight.

Substitute Ryder for Higgins, and we do the deal, just add a pick.

Who should we really be trying to trade???? 2007-2008 Regular Season SKATERS: GP G A +/- Pts A. Kovalev 61 29 32 12 61 T. Plekanec 61 21 33 7 54 A. Markov 61 12 35 -1 47 S. Koivu 60 11 32 -6 43 M. Streit 61 10 32 -7 42 A. Kostitsyn 57 18 22 5 40 C. Higgins 61 18 18 3 36 M. Ryder 51 11 11 -1 22 G. Latendresse 57 14 6 -8 20 R. Hamrlik 56 3 16 4 19 Too bad Ryder is the whipping boy of MTL. Guy has been classy all year about struggling. Meanwhile, a bum like Latendresse gets a free ride. Sure, he makes more money... But I'd take Ryder instead of Latendresse in my line up any day!

This will be my first game seeing the Habs! I can't wait. 48 hrs. to go! ___________________________________________ It can only get better!! Go Ryder, Go Habs!

I will be in attendence, when it was annoucned in the summer i made sure I would be ther when Gainey gets his number up in the rafters. Very excited, I have never been to Montreal when they retired a number. I have only been to a couple of games in MTL, i was amazed both times.. This one will be one to remeber forever.

Yes indeed, I also equate Gainey to excellence on and off the ice and I'm very glad that he's going to be honoured Saturday night. In the meantime, I hope that the team will rise to the occasion and deliver excellent and hard working games along with a win in each case, tonight and Saturday night. Thank you again Mr. Gainey for the memories as well as the excellent job you're doing right now with our beloved Habs. Cheers Ali B.

interesting article on tsn http://tsn.ca/blogs/cullen/?id=230237

My favourite player finally honoured. Everything he has done in his life has been about excellence and hard work. I'm sure even now he would fit nicely on the second line. Bravo, Bob.

Does anyone remember a playoff game at MSG during our four years 1970s run, where Gainey hit a Ranger player along the boards, stole the puck and scored to either tie the game or put us ahead, it was such a great play. Funny, but the kind of player I say we need is exactly like Gainey.

whats with this columbus jersey thing? huh

I'm really hoping the guys come out flying tonight and win or make a very good game against the Pens. I would hate for some yahoos to show up on Saturday booing Gainey because the team is on a one-game losing streak. As I said during the chat on Tuesday, I could kiss Gainey and Timmins right about now. Haven't enjoyed watching the Habs this much for 20 years. _____________________________________________________ Remember February 19th: The Comeback

There's a typo in the press release...Peterborough's Mot Valuable player?

I can't wait for the game Saturday, it will be the first game I've attended this year. Montreal is absolutely gonna destroy Columbus..

I hope that the Canadiens play a very sound game and beat the Blue Jackets. I'm sure Gainey's old linemate Carbonneau will have the guys pumped for that one. Bob Gainey is one of, if not the, classiest individuals in hockey. He is a man who never panics and who seems to be able to excel in whatever operation he undertakes. Here's to Gainey and his legacy with the Canadiens.

Will RDS be broadcasting the ceremony?

I hope they save room because eventually they'll have to retire a suit for him as well for his g.m. accompishments. I wonder why a Sam Pollock type has never had sopmething like that done???? I am only half joking here.