Entertainment and Sports Notebook: HFTV plays prominent role in Canadiens coverage with a twist | Entertainment

When I was growing up, and until recent years, for Montreal Canadiens media coverage I was always following the local radio and television scene, as well as print publications. Social media has changed that game completely. In our city, Tony Marinaro’s Sick Podcast and the still rather upstart HFTV lead the pack. Last Saturday night I was seated in the Bell Centre press box with the traditional media. During the first intermission, and outdoors after the Habs 4-0 victory over Pittsburgh, I spent some time with HFTV founder Alex Rougas,   his partner Cédrik Séguin and their loyal base of followers.

Originally known as Habs Fan TV, Laval’s Rougas and Lachine’s Séguin are the brainchilds behind a pretty impressive concept. Alex, 26, is presently in Bar School; Céd, who only turns 20 next month, is in CEGEP at College Saint-Anne. They have a website, YouTube channel and a huge following on TikTok and Instagram. I think they can best be described as a cross between fans and media. They are true celebrities. Despite the cold, their post-game broadcast attracted a large gathering. The duo use their trademark mini-stick microphone to file reports and conduct interviews. I was among them.  It was Rougas who launched HFTV in 2021 when the Habs almost made it to the Stanley Cup final during the COVID season. Alex was in law school at the time at Osgoode Hall in Toronto. He met Ced at the 2022 NHL draft at the Bell Centre and they instantly became a team. HFTV is a bilingual program.

HFTV is now a business. Rougas will complete bar school by the end of 2026 and his goal is to practice business law, perfectly suited to grow HFTV. “I have worked for different boutique intellectual property firms as a student, really enjoyed it and it definitely serves me in the media space so I would love to continue exploring that if possible,” he said.

HFTV works with a small freelance team of camera operators and editors Rougas and Séguin attend practically every home game and travel occasionally. We don’t have season tickets, but will always find a way to buy tickets,” Séguin says. “Travel is becoming more and more frequent as some partners send us to different locations to create content. We used to do one trip a year; this season we’re on track to do four to five.”

What is fhe goal here? “To shine a light on all Montreal sports, not just the Canadiens,” Rougas responds. “I can’t even say I was ever into American football before starting HFTV, but the Alouettes Grey Cup run in 2023 got me particularly interested in Canadian football, and it definitely hit another level this year as we travelled with the team for the Grey Cup run.”

COACH GOYENS: TSN 690 Radio play by play man Victor Findlay has the good fortune of counting on two excellent color commentators for Montreal Canadiens broadcasts, former Lac St. Lous Lions and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League head coach Jon Goyens and JP O’Connor, a one-time minor league player.

Goyens coached the Lions and multiple present-day NHL players  for 10 seasons from 2009 to 2019. He then went on to guide Baie Comeau and Cape Breton in the QMJHL before returning home to Kirkland two years ago and occupying a number of posts such as with TSN 690, appearances on a number of podcasts and consulting for an analytics company called Sportlogiq.

“The foundation of my experience is comprehension,” says Goyens. “It’s not what we say, it’s what they hear. I have a passion for teaching and developing the hockey player as much as the person for their future.”

Goyens holds a BA in Applied Sciences from Concordia University. He and his wife Elara have an eight-year-old son Henri. His late dad Chris was a hockey author and amateur coach. At the age of 14, Jon decided to end his own hockey career and join his dad behind the bench as an assistant for an elite Dollard des Ormeaux  Bantam team. That was the beginning of great success.

Among the players he coached were Mike Matheson and Joe Velano of the Habs. In the case of Velano, the two live very close together in Kirkland and see each other often. I have been hoping to interview Velano this year. He is such a “feel good” story, joining the Habs via free agency and getting into the regular lineup due to injuries. When I attended the game in the press box in November, post game he was being interviewed by RDS. This past Saturday he was icing his knee. I hope he sticks around so we can have that chat.

Goyens says he is really happy with his gig at TSN 690. “ I like it a lot,” he notes. “I prepare like I am coaching.”

SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH: Jugo Juice recently demonstrated its ongoing commitment to wellness and mental health as the Platinum Sponsor of the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation’s Rise to Wellness event. The initiative supports mental health programs across Canada and encourages open, stigma-free conversations around mental well-being. The event brought together participants for a full day of wellness-focused activities, including guided workshops, yoga and dance sessions, and mental health walks. As part of its sponsorship, Jugo Juice provided custom-branded yoga mats for participants, hosted a fresh juice bar on site, and presented a $10,000 donation to the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation. The cheque presentation took place on Monday, December 15, at the Jugo Juice location at Royalmount.

GROBAN AND HUDSON TO LAVAL: Tony, Emmy and five-time  Grammy Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban has shared plans for a North American tour with special guest – Grammy  Oscar, Tony, and Emmy winning artist, actor, producer, and host Jennifer Hudson. They will hit the stage on Tuesday, June 2 at Place Bell in Laval. Tickets are now on sale. In support of arts education nationwide, $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to Groban’s Find Your Light Foundation.  Info: www.joshgroban.com.

NEW SEGAL CENTRE PRESIDENT: Howard Stotland is the new president of the Segal Centre, succeeding Sylvi Plante. “It is an honour to step into this role, and I begin by expressing, on behalf of our entire Segal community, our profound gratitude to Sylvi Plante,” Stotland said. “Her exceptional leadership over the past four years strengthened the Segal in lasting ways – building stability, encouraging innovation, and championing initiatives that expand our impact.

“Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of serving on the board while developing an especially successful fundraiser – Broadway Sur Le Deck. I am deeply proud of how these events have strengthened our reach and helped support the Segal’s mission. As we look ahead, I am inspired by the Segal’s unique role in Montreal’s cultural landscape: a home for bold storytelling, artistic excellence, Jewish culture, and meaningful community engagement. From our acclaimed productions to the transformative work of the Segal Academy, the Segal continues to shape the cultural life of this city and contribute to a broader artistic conversation that extends well beyond our walls.”

The executive working with Stotland are: Moe Liebman, Vice President; Nancy Cleman, Secretary; Brandon Gerstein, Treasurer; as well as members Aliénor Armand-Linot, Laura Belloni, Myer Bick, Maia Cooper, Ellen David, Lindsay Holmgren, Elissa Lifson and Shawn Rozansky.

THE GOLDEN MILE BRUNCH: It is time to check in with one of the nominees for The Suburban’s Best of Montreal, for which results will be unveiled towards the end of February. Renoir, the signature French restaurant of the renowned Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile, is helmed by Executive Chef Olivier Perret. The place recently underwent an extensive upgrade and welcomes guests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, as well as brunch on weekends. I checked the latter out on Sunday for the very first time. With valet parking and an endless array of hot and cold items, it is first class all the way. Renoir is nominated for Best all around and fine dining restaurants. We will wait anxiously for the contest results. Hats off to executive sous chef  Félix Duquet.

POINTE-CLAIRE  OUTDOOR TERRASSE: I was in Pointe-Claire Village on Saturday and I had lunch at an outdoor terrasse, sort of. At Dizz’s Bagel & Deli on Cartier the spot normally used for a summer patio now has a heated indoor tent. It was nice and comfortable in side. Steve Dizgun has operated Dizz’s on Côte St. Luc Road for many years. His son Michael opened the West Island location four years ago and the tent went up last week. Early signs are positive!

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