Hockey season just wouldn’t be the same without this….

I’ve had my students in English 005 listen to a recording of Roch Carrier reading his story, The Hockey Sweater. The goal of this assignment is partly to read a Canadian classic that tells us something essential about Canadian and especially Québécois culture. The other aim, though, is to give them, I hope, some sense of the importance of hockey to Canadian identity and the place of Montréal Canadiens and Maurice Richard in the history, culture, and identity of Québec. Although I have the sense that many Vermonters might think of the Boston Bruins as being “their” team, there are many I’ve met (including many former Quebeckers) who will forever be life-long fans of the Habs. Despite my continued obsession with the Oilers, I too am feeling a greater connection to the Canadiens just by being so close to Montreal. They’re now my second favourite team and I’m dying to get up to Montreal to experience a game there for the first time.

The story, the children’s book, the audio book, and the National Film Board film short are all touchstone’s in many Canadians’ memories of childhood. A true classic which, thanks to Google Video, I can post for you here. It’s well worth tracking down the original on DVD though. Just don’t forget to read the story as well.