Canadiens' Centennial: 100 years of glory
A few teams in the NHL like to pretend they have a tradition of excellence. The average life expectancy in Sierra Leone is shorter than the Toronto Maple Leafs' current Stanley Cup drought, but "The passion that unites us all" remains their corporate mantra. The Chicago Blackhawks are closing in on 50 years without a championship and they continually demand their players, "commit to the Indian."
But no team plays on its tradition and sense of élan the way the Montreal Canadiens do. In fact, if you didn't know any better, you'd be led to believe the Canadiens have always lived up to the romantic myth, that they've always been the class of hockey and the standard bearer for any measure of excellence.
You might be shocked to learn there was a time when there was nothing further from the truth.
