As Edmonton Oilers fans dream of their team hoisting the Stanley Cup, Montreal Canadiens supporters have some advice: enjoy every moment of the journey. The Canadiens, affectionately known as the Habs, were the last Canadian team to capture the trophy, achieving this feat 31 years ago on June 9, 1993.
Reflecting on that momentous year, NHL.com columnist and historian Dave Stubbs remarked, “The big movie that was opening in theatres was ‘Jurassic Park’. I like to joke now saying that dinosaurs were actually roaming the earth the last time a Canadian team won the Cup. It feels like ages ago.”
Montreal already boasted 23 championship banners when they embarked on their 1993 playoff run. Their journey to victory was marked by ten overtime wins, with legendary goalie Patrick Roy, affectionately dubbed “St-Patrick” by fans, leading the charge. Young left-winger Gilbert Dionne played a crucial role, contributing 12 points in 20 games.
“We were just a good group of guys, half French, half English, well-coached and trained,” Dionne recalled. “We were ready to believe in ourselves.”
Dionne fondly remembered the moment he lifted the Cup, skating towards his older brother, Marcel Dionne, a fellow NHL player and Hall of Famer, sitting in section 105. “I said, ‘we did it’, meaning we did it as a family, for our parents. I wanted to let Marcel know that our last name Dionne will be on the cup forever.”
Despite the elation, the post-game celebrations turned violent. A riot erupted on Ste-Catherine Street, resulting in smashed windows, looted stores, and burning police cruisers. Over 165 people were injured, including 49 police officers. However, the city soon recovered, and days later, nearly half a million fans lined the parade route to celebrate.
Among the crowd was 15-year-old superfan Sunil Peetush, who has kept memorabilia from the event, including a $28.50 playoff ticket stub and a hat. “My fondest memories are the excitement in the city. It was such a joyful time,” Peetush reminisced. Over the years, Peetush has amassed a remarkable collection of Habs paraphernalia in his “Habscave,” hosting charity events and hockey legends, though he still awaits another championship celebration.
Stubbs noted that many Canadiens fans believed the Stanley Cup would frequently return to Canada, especially to Montreal. “For a time in Montreal, certainly in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, it was almost a rite of spring: you knew on which street corner to go downtown to watch the parade.”
However, the landscape of hockey changed post-1993, with league realignments and the addition of new teams like the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Florida Panthers. “Here we are now, with the Florida Panthers knocking on the door, possibly about to win their first Stanley Cup Championship,” Stubbs added.
As Edmonton Oilers fans dream of victory, Montreal’s seasoned supporters encourage them to savor every moment of the ride. The memories made during a championship run are cherished long after the final whistle blows.
