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\u2019s<\/strong> Sick Podcast<\/a> and the still rather upstart HFTV<\/a> 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,\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0his partner C\u00e9drik S\u00e9guin<\/strong> and their loyal base of followers.<\/p>\n Originally known as Habs Fan TV, Laval\u2019s Rougas and Lachine\u2019s S\u00e9guin are the brainchilds behind a pretty impressive concept. Alex, 26, is presently in Bar School; C\u00e9d, 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<\/a>.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n 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. \u201cI 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n HFTV works with a small freelance team of camera operators and editors Rougas and S\u00e9guin attend practically every home game and travel occasionally. We don\u2019t have season tickets, but will always find a way to buy tickets,\u201d S\u00e9guin says. \u201cTravel 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\u2019re on track to do four to five.\u201d<\/p>\n What is fhe goal here? \u201cTo shine a light on all Montreal sports, not just the Canadiens,\u201d Rougas responds. \u201cI can\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jon Goyens<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n COACH GOYENS:<\/strong> TSN 690 Radio<\/a> play by play man Victor Findlay<\/strong> 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<\/strong> and JP O\u2019Connor<\/strong>, a one-time minor league player.<\/p>\n Goyens coached the Lions and multiple present-day NHL players \u00a0for 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe foundation of my experience is comprehension,\u201d says Goyens. \u201cIt\u2019s not what we say, it\u2019s what they hear. I have a passion for teaching and developing the hockey player as much as the person for their future.”<\/p>\n 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\u00a0 Bantam team. That was the beginning of great success.<\/p>\n Among the players he coached were Mike Matheson<\/strong> and Joe Velano<\/strong> 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 \u201cfeel good\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Goyens says he is really happy with his gig at TSN 690. \u201c I like it a lot,\u201d he notes. \u201cI prepare like I am coaching.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Katrina Lorenzetti, Event Coordinator, The Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation and Piero Tartaglia, District Manager, Jugo Juice<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH:<\/strong> Jugo Juice<\/a> recently demonstrated its ongoing commitment to wellness and mental health as the Platinum Sponsor of the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation\u2019s<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Josh Groban and Jennifer Hudson<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n GROBAN AND HUDSON TO LAVAL:<\/strong> Tony, Emmy and five-time\u00a0 Grammy Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban<\/strong> has shared plans for a North American tour with special guest – Grammy\u00a0 Oscar, Tony, and Emmy winning artist, actor, producer, and host Jennifer Hudson.<\/strong> 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\u2019s Find Your Light Foundation.\u00a0 Info: www.joshgroban.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n NEW SEGAL CENTRE PRESIDENT: Howard Stotland<\/strong> is the new president of the Segal Centre, succeeding Sylvi Plante<\/strong>. \u201cIt 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,\u201d Stotland said. \u201cHer exceptional leadership over the past four years strengthened the Segal in lasting ways – building stability, encouraging innovation, and championing initiatives that expand our impact.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Howard Stotland (left), seen here with businessman Jeff Hart.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOver 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\u2019s mission. As we look ahead, I am inspired by the Segal\u2019s unique role in Montreal\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The executive working with Stotland are: Moe Liebman,<\/strong> Vice President; Nancy Cleman<\/strong>, Secretary; Brandon Gerstein<\/strong>, Treasurer; as well as members Ali\u00e9nor Armand-Linot, Laura Belloni, Myer Bick, Maia Cooper, Ellen David, Lindsay Holmgren, Elissa Lifson<\/strong> and Shawn Rozansky.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0F\u00e9lix Duquet\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n
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