2023-09-16 04:00:00
Scotty Bowman will turn 90 on Monday. But his 90 years weigh on him in no way. He remains in shape despite back discomfort for which he is currently undergoing treatment. His memory is still vivid and prodigious. The smallest memory becomes a long story to tell. He looks like he was pricked by a gramophone needle. But it is so interesting that we never tire of listening to it. The character is an encyclopedia on two legs!
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The number of years has no influence on his temperament. He is not grumpy, he does not entertain negative thoughts. He doesn’t have time for that, he keeps himself busy.
In a few weeks, he and his wife Suella, his life partner of 54 years, will leave for their winter home in Sarasota, Florida. When spring returns, they will travel north to East Amherst, a Buffalo suburb where they have lived for five or six decades.
Life is beautiful !
In 2002, Scotty Bowman’s name was inscribed on Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto. Photo Toronto Sun
A cruise to celebrate the event
The family gathering for his birthday took place in August. The couple are parents of three boys and two girls, including twins, girl and boy, named Nancy and Robert. Alicia is the eldest in the family, the other sons being Stan, formerly general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, and David, unfortunately disabled due to a neurological condition from birth.
“Bringing the whole family together at once requires logistics when one of your children lives in Chicago, another in Indiana, another in Boston. Everyone has their activities.
Celebrations of the Stanley Cup won by the Montreal Canadiens in 1073 Archive photo, Le Journal de Montréal
“The trip had been planned for two years. My daughter took care of everything. Everyone met here at the end of July [à Buffalo], our children, their spouses and our 11 grandchildren. The oldest is 23 years old and the youngest is 4 years old.
“We took a four-day cruise aboard the Disney Wishthe newest liner launched by the Disney fleet,” explains Bowman.
Whippet et fromage OKA
Scotty and Suella have their habits when they stay in Buffalo during the summer season. They cross the Canadian borders regarding once a month to go either to Fort Erie, an Ontario town facing Buffalo, or to Niagara Falls, a half-hour drive away. They treat themselves to little treats that they can’t find on the American side.
“We’re going to eat at the Swiss Chalet (a chain of restaurants that used to be found in Quebec).
“When I was coach of the Canadiens, we always went to the one located at Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. We also often ate at St-Hubert Barbecue, he continues, taking up the original name of the Quebec restaurant chain. I always thought that it is in Quebec that we eat the best chicken,” he says.
Madam and gentleman come to Canada to look for other treats that are not available in the United States.
“We buy Whippet biscuits, Coffee Crisp and OKA cheese,” he adds, still amused at sharing his little secrets.
What a guy, this Xhekaj!
But you might have guessed that hockey still plays a big part in his life. We don’t cut ties with an effervescent workplace that has kept you alive and thriving for 62 years.
Bowman is currently attending rookie camp which brings together prospects from the Canadiens, Senators, Sabres, Devils and Penguins in Buffalo. Which leads him to suddenly talk regarding a Habs defender he saw at this tournament last year, but whose name escapes him.
Arber Xhekaj Archive photo, Martin Chevalier
“Are you talking regarding Jacaille“, I said to him, talking regarding Arber Xhekaj.
“Ah yes, that’s how it’s pronounced! he replies.
“Talk regarding a big guy. I saw him massacre a Senators player last year.
This player was Zachary Massicotte, former defender of the Shawinigan Cataractes, who left this fight with a concussion.
Bowman can also tell you regarding Lane Hutson, this small defender drafted by the Habs last year in the second round of the draft. He saw him skating in Chicago when he was 8 years old.
“I went to see one of my grandsons play,” says Bowman.
“At the same rink, I saw this young man going around the rink without stopping. Someone who was there told me he always did that.”
Lane Hutson
Photo Martin Alarie
As for his grandson, Camden, he plays with the Buffalo Junior Sabers under-20 team. This team is part of the Western Association of the Ontario Junior League, a junior A caliber circuit (do not mix with major junior).
Son of Stan, he is 5’11” and 187 lbs., and he plays defenseman. He hopes to attract the attention of an American academic institution that would allow him to obtain a scholarship.
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