A couple of yr after coming under fire for removing the words \u201cGo! Canadiens Go!\u201d from the electronic signs on city buses over concerns about Quebec\u2019s language laws, the Montreal transit agency is trying something latest to indicate its love for the Habs.<\/p>\n
The agency has recruited 4 members of the NHL team to announce the names of underground metro stations in French during trips because the cars go through the stops next to the team\u2019s home on the Bell Centre.<\/p>\n
It means commuters can now hear the voices of Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovsky, Jakub Dobes and Alexandre Texier as they approach the Bonaventure and Lucien-L\u2019Allier metro stations in downtown Montreal.<\/p>\n
\u201dThat is Lane Hutson, next station Lucien-L\u2019Allier,’\u201d says the voice of the Canadiens star defenceman, in certainly one of the recordings now being played on the metro.<\/p>\n
Texier, who represented France on the Winter Olympics in February, told The Canadian Press it felt \u201cincredible\u201d to listen to his voice within the metro. \u201dSome friends sent me the announcement,\u201d he said, adding, \u201dI feel people is perhaps excited to take the metro \u2026 to listen to the voices, because Montreal is all about hockey.\u201d<\/p>\n
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A transit agency spokesperson says the campaign also marks a primary for the metro system, because it introduces latest voices to a well-recognized a part of the ride.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is the primary time we\u2019ve specifically switched that voice for the subsequent station to this one, which features our 4 Canadiens players,\u201d said Laurence Houde-Roy.<\/p>\n
She said the initiative is supposed to bring the energy of the Stanley Cup playoffs into on a regular basis commutes, giving riders a small but noticeable reminder of the joy surrounding the team.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s really a option to get in on the playoffs hype,\u201d said Houde-Roy.<\/p>\n
Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Dumas, president of Influence Communication, a Montreal-based media evaluation firm, praised the campaign, saying it draws on \u201cthe strong emotional attachment and sense of belonging Montrealers have toward the Canadiens and their roots in the neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said it also demonstrates how the Habs are \u201dwoven into on a regular basis life\u201d in Montreal and a part of the town\u2019s broader cultural identity.<\/p>\n
Houde-Roy said the concept stemmed from a social media video produced in partnership with the Canadiens, showing players inside a metro station setting, delivering short phrases in French.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt generated a lot interest that we thought, \u2018Why not recreate the voices saying that famous next-stop line?\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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The transit agency said the team chosen the 4 players based on their availability.<\/p>\n
\u2018We desired to have Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois players, but their schedule didn\u2019t allow it, but (we) still have one player who’s 100 per cent francophone with Alexandre Texier,\u201d said Houde-Roy.<\/p>\n
The response from the general public has been largely positive, with commuters sharing their reactions online and in media coverage, Houde-Roy added.<\/p>\n
\u201dYou’ll be able to still see from the recordings that they\u2019re doing thoroughly. They\u2019re really wanting to participate on this recording. We actually appreciate that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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