Jack Todd: Canadiens, Alouettes unlock success using mind over matter
It's all in the mind.
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The more time I spend observing the world of sports (and the decades on the CV are piling up like a 1970s snowstorm in Montreal) the more I'm convinced that the entire vast apparatus of scouting and evaluation in a multibillion-dollar industry undervalues that substance between the ears.
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Year after year, NFL teams drafted towering prototype quarterbacks who could chuck a football 70 yards downfield. Year after year, Tom Brady won the Super Bowl.
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Closer to home, there is no clearer example than the Canadiens and the shift from the emphasis on physical talent to character and intelligence. If Trevor Timmins had a weakness, it was his tendency to overlook those two factors entirely. From the Kostitsyn brothers to Alex Galchenyuk to Jesperi Kotkaniemi, there were clear issues that should have been flagged.
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Mercifully, the decision to swap Max Pacioretty for Nick Suzuki, Tomas Tatar and a second-rounder was not up to Timmins. In Suzuki, the Canadiens got the player who has set the tone for the entire organization, both in the way he thinks the game and in the way he behaves away from the rink.
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All this was on my mind Friday evening, when I watched Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander excel as the Alouettes drubbed the visiting Toronto Argonauts. I had my doubts about the decision to let Grey Cup champ Cody Fajardo get away and replace him with Alexander, mostly because the new QB has a meagre sample size in terms of CFL starts.
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Not to worry. Like Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughes and Martin St. Louis, Danny Maciocia and Jason Maas know what they're doing. Alexander plays football like Suzuki plays hockey. He makes his reads quickly. He sees the open receiver. He anticipates. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with quick feet.
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Alexander is also fortunate to have receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack back and healthy. One game doesn't make a season, we know that. But one smart quarterback can make a team.
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A mere 32 years ago Monday, the Canadiens won the most recent of their 24 Stanley Cups on June 9, 1993. I was working on the copy desk at the time and my contribution was to write the headline: 'The Cup Comes Home.'
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Toronto Star
33 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Bombers look for another trip to the Grey Cup, this time as hosts
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Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bombers look for another trip to the Grey Cup, this time as hosts
WINNIPEG – Dalton Schoen doesn't care who throws him the ball, he just wants to make a meaningful catch. The Blue Bombers' talented receiver will get that chance when he returns from a season-ending injury to face the B.C. Lions in Winnipeg's CFL season-opener Thursday. 'It feels great,' Schoen said after Wednesday's walk-through practice. 'It's kind of hard to describe, you get so used to the process of it that when it's taken away you go, 'Wow, that goes quick.'' Schoen suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the third game last season, nixing a chance to put up a trio of consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. His return to action will be key for a revamped Blue Bombers receiving corps. Schoen and 10-year CFL veteran Nic Demski will lead a group that's lost some veteran pass catchers such as Kenny Lawler and Drew Wolitarsky. Thursday's test will also include hauling in passes from quarterback Chris Streveler as starting quarterback Zach Collaros was suspended for one game after failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. 'We've got some familiar faces, but we've definitely got some new faces,' said Demski, who's in his seventh year with his hometown team. 'We've got some guys stepping up into different roles, so everybody's just got to make the most of their opportunities and come together and play great.' Lawler and Wolitarsky both left for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, while Ontaria Wilson signed with the NFL New York Jets after catching 71 passes for 1,026 yards in his rookie three-down season. Winnipeg's starting five against the Lions (1-0) will feature Demski and Schoen with sophomores Keric Wheatfall and Kevens Clercius and rookie Jerreth Sterns. Dillon Mitchell was a big off-season signing after the third-year receiver was released by the Edmonton Elks, but he's on the one-game injured list. 'We have pretty good chemistry in the room,' Schoen said of his fellow receivers. 'I think we communicate pretty well with each other and so I think it's going to be fun to get out there with those guys.' Winnipeg's defence also has some new looks as the club aims to make it to a sixth straight Grey Cup and end a three-game losing streak in the championship game. Manitoba's capital city is hosting this year's Grey Cup on Nov. 16. 'It's a huge motivation,' Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson said. 'To have the biggest game of the season to be in your home, it's an honour.' Jefferson will have a different rush end on the line after James Vaughters was signed following four seasons during two stints with the Calgary Stampeders. 'We got a chance to build our camaraderie, build that chemistry, a little bit of togetherness,' Jefferson said of the defence in training camp. 'Running new plays, new defences, new personalities and things like that. Now we've got the chance to put that work that we built during camp and put that out here with live bullets.' The defence will be going up against Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, who claimed the league's top offensive honour for Week 1 after throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-14 victory over Edmonton. While running back Brady Oliveira should be Winnipeg's workhorse again, the team signed tailback Peyton Logan. He's expected to return kicks, but is on the one-game injured list. Rookie defensive back Trey Vaval will get the chance to shine in that role against the Lions. Winnipeg fans will see another familiar face on the field Thursday, but on a different sideline. Former Bombers offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce left to become the Lions' head coach. 'Probably a little of both,' Pierce said with a smile when asked if he expects to be heckled or congratulated by Winnipeg fans. 'But that's expected. The passion of the fanbase here and the excitement for a new season, I'm sure I'll hear both sides of that.' Winnipeg 2024 record: 11-7, first West Division, lost Grey Cup to Toronto Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Did you know?: Nic Demski is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. The last time a Canadian Bombers receiver racked up three of those milestone campaigns in a row was Gerald Wilcox in 1993-95. Key additions: RB/KR Peyton Logan (Calgary), Rec Dillon Mitchell (Edmonton), DE James Vaughters (Calgary) Key losses: Brandon Alexander (not re-signed), LB Adam Bighill (not re-signed), DB Tyrell Ford (Edmonton), Rec Kenny Lawler (Hamilton), Rec Drew Wolitarsky (Hamilton) Players to watch: RB/KR Peyton Logan, RB Brady Oliveira, Rec Dalton Schoen, DE James Vaughters This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
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