"The veteran forward from Finland was mentioned Tuesday by Quebec lawyer Guy Bertrand at provincial public hearings looking into reasonable accommodation for religious minorities. Bertrand was upset that during the Canadiens' Oct. 13 home opener, Koivu, as part of a videotaped pre-game ceremony, introduced his teammates in English only.
"I have the right to be served in my language," he said. "He has been playing for 12 years (for the Canadiens). He is married to a francophone. It demonstrates contempt for our language. It is not respectful."
Koivu, whose wife Hanna speaks French but was born in Finland, was quick to address Bertrand's remarks.
Last November: Bertrand wants Quebec team at Worlds
"I'm not perfect," he told a scrum of reporters at the Bell Centre. "There's nothing we can do when politicians have opinions on the team or on me, but sometimes you can't control what's being said out there."
Koivu speaks limited French, and has done so at team functions like hospital visits with children.
"It's a bit easier talking to kids than talking to you (Michael) in French," Koivu jokingly told TSN's Michael Whalen. "And I talk to my wife in French in the right atmosphere," he added with a wink. "You know what I'm talking about."
General manager Bob Gainey, a former captain who will have his number retired by the Canadiens this season, has previously mentioned the importance of a Canadiens captain being able to speak French.
"Bob Gainey was a model during the time he was captain," Koivu added. "He made the effort to learn French. When I arrived here, I had to learn English and it took me some time before mastering it. In an ideal world, I should also speak French. But I'm not perfect in that sense."
Koivu, who received the 'C' in September of 2000, is the Canadiens' second-longest serving captain behind the legendary Jean Beliveau."
I got that from tsn.
Seriously though I wish people would just shut up and enjoy the product on the ice rather then trying to stir up BS like this.....