Mike Matheson was a 9-year-old growing up on Montreal’s West Island when former Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey came to the defence of offensive-minded defenceman Patrice Brisebois.
Fans at the Bell Centre had booed Brisebois on several occasions during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres on Sept. 27, 2003. Brisebois — who had been the target of boo-birds the three previous seasons — turned the boos into cheers when he scored a power-play goal in the third period as the Canadiens beat the Sabres 3-1 for their first win in five pre-season games.
After the game, Gainey decided to speak with the media and blasted fans who had been boing Brisebois.
“That’s bull—-,” Gainey said. “We don’t need those people, we don’t want those people, they’re jealous people, yellow people. I think they’re a bunch of gutless bastards, to be honest. … Our message to them is to stay away, we don’t need you.”
Brisebois appreciated Gainey sticking up for him.
“I appreciate his support,” Brisebois said at the time. “I’ve always said there are people who like me and appreciate me. I play for them and my friends and family.”
Brisebois must be very happy there was no social media back then. He played 16 seasons in Montreal, posted 87-248-371 totals in 896 regular-season games with the Canadiens, and won the Stanley Cup in 1993.
After the Canadiens lost 4-3 in overtime to the New Jersey Devils Saturday night at the Bell Centre, Matheson was ripped viciously by some fans on social media. Matheson lost the puck in the offensive zone after trying to handle a poor pass from Patrik Laine, which led to a breakaway goal by the Devils’ Jack Hughes to win the game.
“I don’t remember that, specifically,” Matheson said Tuesday morning when asked about Gainey defending Brisebois. “I definitely remember the fans being on Patrice a lot. It’s what they get to do as fans.
“I think oftentimes there’s a lot of people who enjoy being negative, regardless of what the subject is,” Matheson added. “I think they can be a little louder sometimes than people going out of their way to be positive and say nice things. I think you have to keep that in mind and know that there’s a lot of our real fans that are there to support us and be there regardless of what happens.”
Matheson — like Brisebois — is an offensive-minded defencemen who has the puck on his stick a lot and — like Brisebois — some fans focus much more on his mistakes than his good plays.
Heading into Tuesday night’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, Matheson was leading the Canadiens in ice time with an average of 24:42 per game. He had 3-19-22 totals in 47 games and was minus-6 while often playing against the other team’s top line. He ranked 44th among NHL defencemen in giveaways with 59, which was eight fewer than rookie Lane Hutson, who led the Canadiens with 67.
After Tuesday’s morning skate, I asked Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis what he would say to fans who like to rip Matheson on social media.
“The market’s the market,” St. Louis said.
“I mean, the guy competes,” the coach added. “He does so many good things on the ice. For us, we know what he means to our team. He plays big minutes, he covers a lot of ice, big assignments. Matty’s a guy that cares so much and he’s a true pro. A great example. I would say to the fans that we’re lucky to have him.”
Hutson says he’s lucky to have Matheson as his defence partner and said fans “should definitely just lay off him.”
“He’s the ultimate teammate,” Hutson added. “Everyone here loves him. He’s been nothing but great for us. He’s been great all year. He’s been so good, especially to me. I love having him here.”
What does Hutson like most about Matheson’s game?
“His poise and how he can really make it hard on the other team,” the rookie said. “He’s really good at skating and closing space and then, on top of that, he makes a good first pass. He can play simple and he can make the high-end plays. I could go on and on about what he can do, but just his skating in itself is pretty special.”
Matheson was asked if growing up in Pointe-Claire helped him understand the Montreal market and the criticism directed his way.
“I don’t know if help is the word,” he said. “But I knew it would be like that coming in, so it’s not a surprise.”
Matheson stays off social media, but noted that in Montreal with friends and family here it’s impossible to avoid it completely.
“They’re very passionate fans and we’re lucky to have that,” he said. “Obviously, a lot tend to be negative … maybe that says more about them than anything else. Maybe they’re going through something in their own lives and that’s a release to be able to do that. If that’s helping them, then great.”