The Bell Centre in Montreal sits at the corner of Avenue des Canadiens de Montreal and Rue de la Gauchetiere, with Rue de la Gauchetiere being the main artery.
That’s all fine and dandy, except if you’re describing a big game, like ”Miracle on de la Gauchetiere”, or a Stanley Cup parade – “The parade winds its way down de la Gauchetiere.”
Whew. It’s too much of a mouthful.
So I say to Montreal politicians – why don’t you just do the right thing and change the name – to Boulevard Jean Beliveau (Jean Beliveau Boulevard). Then the Bell Centre would sit on the corner of Avenue des Canadiens de Montreal and Boulevard Jean Beliveau. How nice is that?
“The parade winds its way down Jean Beliveau.”
Wikipedia says Rue de la Gauchetiere was named for a landowner named Joseph-Daniel Migeon – Sieur (sire) of de la Gauchetiere, way back in the 1600′s, I think before even Don Cherry and Bob Cole were born. He never scored one goal for the Habs, or helped young players, or brought the city a Stanley Cup, or signed autographs until his hand hurt.
But Jean Beliveau did all that and so much more. And for all that Beliveau has done for Montreal and hockey and adding class and respect and pride to the city, he should be recognized with a street that runs past the rink.
I think it’s only right.