(Pointe-Claire) “Welcome home!” » Mike Matheson is received like a king at Marguerite-Bourgeoys school on this very sticky Thursday afternoon.
Athletes do a lot of school visits in their careers. Matheson himself did one last April in the same area. But Thursday’s was special, because Matheson was returning to where he went to elementary school, a “15-minute walk” from where he grew up. So yes, it is indeed the house.
His reaction was the same as that of anyone who sets foot in this gymnasium which seemed so big back when they played hockey there. “It’s a lot smaller than I remembered!” The colors are different, but the rest is pretty much the same,” he said, amused.
The school is blue-white-red for this return of the child prodigy. Signs everywhere, teachers dressed in CH sweaters with their last names on the back. Children who own a Canadiens toy also wore it for the occasion. Several 22-Caufield, 31-Price, a 6-Weber and even a 67-Pacioretty. Don’t they say that the logo on the front is more important than the name on the back?
It turns out that Matheson has seen himself wearing this logo for a long time, even though he arrived in Montreal mid-career. When he arrived at the school, he was greeted by Anik Cossette, physical education teacher, who had Matheson as a student from kindergarten to 6th grade. The conversation quickly turns to an assignment he did in 6th grade. The idea: the students had to project themselves into 2024, on the occasion of a reunion evening, for their 30th birthday, we guess.
We understand better the reaction of Mrs. Cossette when Matheson set foot in the entrance hall. “What are the odds? You play with the Montreal Canadiens! »
Matheson came here as part of an event for the Champions for Life foundation, of which he is an ambassador. The foundation’s mission is to help children “learn the skills they need to be more active.” A message that he can convey with full knowledge of the facts.
“He was shy, calm, not disturbing,” remembers Ms. Cossette. In a gym, a guy like him, you love it. You say: “We get up, we run.” He gets up and runs! He ate it, sport. So many great memories! »
In 6th grade, at a time when Ms. Cossette organized end-of-year sports galas, he was voted athlete of the year. For 2006-07, six years before he became the Florida Panthers’ first-round draft pick, the school’s gymnasium was renamed in his name. A plaque at the entrance to the gymnasium documents this honor.
This was also at the heart of his 20-minute speech, which was attended by all the students of the school, from 1st to 6th grade. That, and the importance of the efforts. During the question-and-answer session, a student asked him how he got to the NHL. “I’ve always had a lot of determination and I’ve always worked hard,” he replied.
In addition to answering students’ questions, Matheson participated in a smaller group activity with both kindergarten classes. He read them a story whose text was projected on a screen. A text entirely in French, which seemed to give him no trouble.
We emphasize this because after elementary school, Matheson studied English in high school, went to Boston College for university, met his partner there, an American from Buffalo, before playing in Portland, Florida and Pittsburgh from 2015 to 2022. He also spends his summers in Buffalo. Understand here that many Anglo-Quebecers in his situation could have lost their French.
The issue was raised during his speech to the students. “Our family is English speaking. When I arrived here at school, I didn’t speak much French, it was stressful, difficult to make friends. But I learned it and I found it important to keep it,” he said.
Anik Cossette remembers all that, she who also taught the big brother and big sister of the CH defender. “The Matheson family is amazing. The parents chose the French school for their children. Mike still speaks it and I’m very, very proud. They were three children who had class, who respected the teachers.
“In a teaching career, families mark us and the Mathesons mark me. Michael succeeded, I am very happy for him. He would have succeeded in anything because he knew how to work, the Mathesons know how to work. I am happy with its success. I watch him play like a mom, I’m afraid he gets hurt! I look at him with happiness. It gave me back the taste of watching the Canadian and I hope they will keep it for a long time. And that I want you to write in big words! »
