Carbo Appears on "Hors-Jeu"
Highlights from the TV Show

In October 2001, Guy was a featured guest on the RDS television program "Hors-Jeu," hosted by the large and charming Paul Buisson. The show features hockey celebrities off the ice, usually treated to some humorous adventures. Paul’s plan was to corral Guy at the Molson Centre and take him away in an immense stretch limo for a day of total relaxation.

Paul found Guy in his office, making notes for the next Canadiens game. Guy coyly concealed the top secret information in his folder. The two had a discussion of Carbo’s life as a coach, featuring some excellent footage of Guy on the ice at practice, and a happy moment from last season as he and head coach Michel Therrien watched the final seconds tick down on a Habs victory.

Paul took Guy to the posh limo, treated him to some live music by the Hors-Jeu band ("The Girl from Ipanema" sung in English), and then brought aboard a handy masseur. Guy seemed to really enjoy the massage, although trying to speak while having his back pounded made for some humorous noise. After a nap, the limo stopped to pick up a magician who gave Paul and Guy a quick show.

The limo’s final stop was the Carbonneau home in Île-Bizard, outside of Montreal. Not a bad neighborhood, that, and a lovely house too. The open architectural plan makes it easy for visitors to be drawn to the centerpiece of the house, Guy’s spectacular trophies on display.

The house tour included a stop in Guy’s workout room, furnished with nice equipment and decorated with photos and memorabilia of his career. These included the jersey presented to him after his retirement by the Dallas Stars, a moment Guy remembered fondly.

The pleasantries were then interrupted by a little mishap. Guy’s wife Line had discovered one of the family dogs, Coco, had chewed up a puck. Carbo explained the dog had gotten his paws on the puck from his first hat trick in the NHL. Line was chagrined but Guy was nonplused. Paul’s dismay over this turn of events was quickly forgotten, though, when Guy led him to his particular "corner of the house," the wine cellar.

Paul reveled in the wonders of the wine cellar. Conversation then turned to Guy’s various memories from his long and storied career. With a subtle "gesture" to the bridge of his nose, Paul asked about the famous "finger photo" which ended up contributing to Carbo’s being traded from the Canadiens in 1994. Guy recalled his sad departure from Montreal.

Happier memories featured Guy’s various forays into comedy, including a clip in which he did a sketch in a restaurant. Those not fluent in québecois French will catch a reference to asparagus, and that’s about all.

Thus ended Guy’s day of fun with Paul Buisson. The closing shot of the damaged puck affixed to a plaque commemorating Carbo’s first hat trick still left me with some doubts. I thought poor Coco was probably framed.

My suspicions were confirmed by a close source who is an expert on the history of the Montreal Canadiens, who recognized the puck as a replica that could not have been the real deal. He was also kind enough to tape the show and send me this precious and quirky update on the current life of M. Carbonneau. Merci, mon cher ami!