René Lecavalier
Encyclopedia
René Lecavalier, OC
, CQ
(July 5, 1918 – September 6, 1999) was a Canadian
French language radio show host and sportscaster on SRC in Quebec
. During his career in radio Lecavalier won several Radiomonde Trophies. He was also the first commentator for La Soirée du hockey
, the French language version of Hockey Night in Canada
. He broadcast games for the Montreal Canadiens
on radio and television for over 30 years and retired in 1985. He was as revered in French Canada as Foster Hewitt
was in English Canada.
Lecavalier was best known for his goal call, "Il lance ... et compte!" (He shoots ... and scores!)
Although Hewitt's call of Paul Henderson
's goal to win the 1972 Summit Series is part of Canadian hockey lore, Lecavalier's call is equally celebrated among Francophones:
Rough translation: "Cournoyer moving it up the ice. Oh, Henderson lost the pass! He fell down. And in front of the net. AND HENDERSON SCORES! With 34 seconds to go!"
"for his substantial influence on the francization of the language of sports" in 1970 and was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec
in 1987. In 1994, he was inducted into the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
. He was awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
and the Olivar-Asselin Award
.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, CQ
National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
(July 5, 1918 – September 6, 1999) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
French language radio show host and sportscaster on SRC in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. During his career in radio Lecavalier won several Radiomonde Trophies. He was also the first commentator for La Soirée du hockey
La Soirée du hockey
La Soirée du hockey was a popular ice hockey show in Quebec. It was the French language SRC equivalent of the English Canadian CBC show Hockey Night in Canada...
, the French language version of Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...
. He broadcast games for the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
on radio and television for over 30 years and retired in 1985. He was as revered in French Canada as Foster Hewitt
Foster Hewitt
Foster William Hewitt, OC was a Canadian radio broadcaster most famous for his play-by-play calls for Hockey Night in Canada. He was the son of W. A. Hewitt, and the father of Bill Hewitt.-Early life and career:...
was in English Canada.
Lecavalier was best known for his goal call, "Il lance ... et compte!" (He shoots ... and scores!)
Although Hewitt's call of Paul Henderson
Paul Henderson
Paul Henderson is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. A left winger, Henderson played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs and Atlanta Flames...
's goal to win the 1972 Summit Series is part of Canadian hockey lore, Lecavalier's call is equally celebrated among Francophones:
Rough translation: "Cournoyer moving it up the ice. Oh, Henderson lost the pass! He fell down. And in front of the net. AND HENDERSON SCORES! With 34 seconds to go!"
Honours
He was made an Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
"for his substantial influence on the francization of the language of sports" in 1970 and was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec
National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
in 1987. In 1994, he was inducted into the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is a hall of fame established in 1955 to "preserve the record of Canadian sports achievements and to promote a greater awareness of Canada's heritage of sport." It is located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta...
. He was awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
The Foster Hewitt Memorial Award is an award named after Foster Hewitt and presented by the Hockey Hall of Fame to members of the radio and television industry who make outstanding contributions to their profession and the game of ice hockey during their broadcasting career...
and the Olivar-Asselin Award
Olivar-Asselin Award
The Olivar-Asselin Award is an award created in 1955. It is given by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montreal to a Quebec journalist having distinguished himself or herself in the field of journalism...
.
External links
- René Lecavalier biography
- "Hockey's Great Voices Echo Through Generations" at NHL.com. Retrieved 10-20-06.