It was a proud Pierre Houde, who showed his usual humility, who accepted the Foster-Hewitt Award on Monday afternoon, on the sidelines of his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Our colleague gave an emotional speech in Toronto, taking turns thanking family members, longtime friends and professional accomplices who helped develop an extraordinary career in sports journalism in Quebec.
“When I received the call last spring telling me that I had been awarded this honor, I was moved, speechless. Me, this chatterbox! I think that says a lot about the effect it had on me.
“Last week, my journalist colleague Marc De Foy […] he asked me to identify a word to describe the feeling inside me. What I found was ‘recognition’,” he underlined.
From a professional point of view, Houde recalled his beginnings in journalism, in the late 1970s. He then combined work and study while still attending university.
“I am grateful to all those who, despite my young age, opened the doors of the big radios to me,” explained the man who entered the media scene at the age of 21, as host of a weekend program on the waves of Sport Radio-Canada. It was 1978.
“Having learned the trade from the best in the industry was an immense privilege and a professional launching pad”, underlined the man who is today recognized for his flights, like the traditional ones” And the boo » when a network is registered.
Our colleague expressed his gratitude to Gérald Jeanneteau and Guy Desormeaux, two great builders behind the birth of the Sports network35 years ago.
“They showed immense faith in me by handing me over the reins of hockey at the RDS when it became our broadcast property. Guy is no longer with us today, but I have the great privilege of being able to count on the presence of Mr. Jeanneteau, first president. Gerrymany people imagined that the station would not survive the first six months. Here we are again, 36 years later. »
It is under the leadership of Gerry Frappier that Pierre Houde continues to be a crucial figure in the growth of RDS.
The incalculable contribution of his analytical collaborators over the decades has not gone unnoticed, be it the late Yvon Pedneault, Pierre Bouchard, Benoît Brunet or his accomplice of the last 14 years, Marc Denis.
“I am grateful for the unconditional support the NHL has given me over the years. Gary (Bettman), I miss our annual Stanley Cup Final speeches. But you know what, I hope one day we do it again. After all, each of us still has a good 25 years in the field! “he told the NHL commissioner on a humorous note.
“Also grateful to the Canadiens organization, obviously. Geoff Molson and the entire organization give me the privilege of walking into the temple of hockey almost every other night, and feeling at home, feeling welcome. »
