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Jon Smith: A Quiet Leader, A Historic Season
By Jean-François Pelletier
Centre Bell, Montreal — Surrounded by club officials and greeted by a round of sustained applause from loyal fans, Jon Smith accepted the Eastern Conference Manager of the Year Award yesterday—well-earned recognition after a remarkable season for the Montreal Canadiens.
Smith arrived under a cloud of skepticism—the legacy left by his predecessor—and faced the daunting task of reigniting the faith of one of the most passionate and demanding fanbases in all of sports. Yet it was he who guided the Canadiens to a stunning 128–34 record, finishing first in the conference.
“The biggest challenge was the fans,” Smith admitted candidly. “I don’t know how many times I was asked whether I thought the team was good enough. It was like people expected us to fail. Winning over the players? That was easier. But slowly, the fans started to believe in us.”
The message is clear: this team was shaped as much in the clubhouse as in the cafés, on Saint-Catherine Street, and in the anxious conversations of living rooms across the city. Smith united a locker room—and reignited a city.
As the offseason begins, Smith has no intention of resting on his laurels:
“We’re reviewing our options. In baseball, you never stand still. You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse, because everyone else is coming for your free agents or trying to trade for your prospects. It’s going to be another challenge.”
But after a season like this, few doubt that the man at the helm of the Canadiens has the intelligence and tenacity to handle whatever comes next.
Note to readers: The Canadiens will hold a press conference Wednesday to outline their offseason plans.
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