The Montreal Canadiens and the NHL paid tribute to Marc Messier after the actor’s passing, with the club releasing an official statement to recognize both his career and the connection he built with hockey fans.
“The Montreal Canadiens would like to offer its sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Marc Messier.”
The league also shared its own message of sympathy.
“The NHL extends its condolences to the family and friends of Marc Messier, whose role as Bob and his "mental toughness" will have marked an entire generation of hockey fans.”
Messier’s place in Quebec hockey culture was impossible to ignore. The Canadiens pointed to the roles that made him a familiar figure to generations of viewers.
“Renowned for his iconic characters in beloved series Les Boys and Lance et compte, Mr. Messier held a strong connection with hockey fans and the cultural community in Quebec over the course of his illustrious career.”
That bond went well beyond television. As the head coach of the National, among other roles, he became a legendary presence for an entire generation. He also wore the uniform of the Boys, and as Bob Chicoine, he stayed with hockey fans for years.
Those characters helped shape how many Montrealers and Quebecers relate to the sport. The tribute from the Canadiens reflected the respect he earned not just as an actor, but as someone whose work left a real imprint on hockey culture.
Messier leaves behind an extraordinary body of work across theatre, television, and film in Quebec. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
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