Page 4 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 27

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The best seat in the house at Billy Gebbie Arena

By Todd Anderson Tails) and all conventional his favourite are a photograph of
canteen food, there is plenty more the NHL’s Stanley Cup sitting on
f you ask Pierre Brunet, he’ll for sale. There are fan clappers; the very counter he serves people
Itell you he has the best seat in mouth guards; neck guards; NHL today. He also has photographs
the house at Alexandria’s Billy paraphernalia including jerseys, of himself with former Montreal
Gebbie Arena in the Glengarry banners, caps, toques, posters, Canadiens stars Jean Beliveau and
Sports Palace. As operator of Pierre stickers and much more. There’s Chris Nilan, as well as personalized
Canteen for the past 15 years, the even a disco ball. signed photographs from current
71-year-old still holds the same “There are not a lot of places New York Rangers star Martin St-
passion he did from day one. around here where you can buy Louis.

“This is a hobby and I love the yourself a Jonathan Toews jersey “I’m a big Canadiens fan, and
people,” Brunet says from behind and a quality poutine at the same I hear about it all the time,” says
the counter in between orders on a place but Pierre and his canteen Brunet.
busy Sunday morning. “This is a continue to be one of a kind,” says
good day. I have already served 10 Glengarry Sports Palace facility Alexandria resident Jamie
poutines this morning and it’s not operator Cody Gallant. “As a kid Lavigne, a well-known referee at
even 11 a.m. They say my poutine growing up in Alexandria, it was the arena and coach of the midget

is real good. My beaver tails, too. always a highlight to finish a game house team, has come to know
But they like the poutine best. and rush over to his canteen for a Brunet quite well over the years.
snack and hockey talk. Working Lavigne and his young family
“I still love it. I still feel good have recently moved across the
and I still have the energy to do Pierre Brunet displays a at the GSP for the winter, it’s nice road from the local rink.
this. It helps me keep my head. photograph taken when the NHL’s to see that Pierre’s passion for
Some Saturdays I work 13-14 Stanley Cup once visited his the game is still strong, and that “Since I played peewee hockey,
popular canteen. kids are still lining up after their
hours. The same on some Sundays. Submitted photo Saturday morning games the way until today coaching midget
On Mondays, don’t talk to me.” hockey, I’m always sure to see
business decision opened a new I did that age.” Pierre behind the counter with

It doesn’t take long to find out
avenue for Pierre (his brothers “I’ve been told it’s the best a big smile on his face,” says
Brunet is quite the joker. It’s also
stopped working at the canteen canteen in Billy Gebbie Arena,” Lavigne. “Pierre has set the bar
obvious he would gladly be back after 2 years) to offset down time jokes Brunet. “Everyone seems to high for canteen excellence with
behind his counter on a Monday from his seasonal landscaping like it. One Christmas I even sold positive attitude and dedication
morning if duty called.
business. He’s grown close to the 62 hockey sweaters.” to providing players, parents and
There have been many exciting community and supporters, and hockey fans with great service and
and memorable events held on he’s returned the favour. Over the As Brunet conducts the inter- great beverages and meals. I’m at
view, he welcomes some friends
the pad of Billy Gebbie Arena years, Brunet has helped sponsor who have arrived at the arena the rink almost on a daily basis
during Brunet’s residency in various teams in Alexandria. for no other reason than to hang and you bet Pierre is there either
the canteen. He has seen the
“The people I served there, now out and share some hockey talk. watching his Habs play on the TV
hometown Alexandria Junior I am serving their kids here,” says Brunet reaches behind his counter he set up or cracking someone
B Glens claim Eastern Ontario Brunet. “I remember Remi Elie and pulls out various photographs up with one of his jokes. In my
Junior B Hockey League crowns. playing. Now he’s an NHL draft chronicling some of the most opinion, he should be inducted
He’s seen thousands of people
pick. I remember watching Martin memorable moments working his into the Glengarry Sports Hall of
pack the rafters to watch local Boisvenue (former Philadelphia canteen in Alexandria. Among Fame as an ambassador of game.”
legends battle in Glengarry News Flyers draft pick). I remember
Cup tournaments. He’s seen minor Ti-Loup (Luc Sabourin) playing.
league players develop from the
Now I see his son playing junior
initiation program right up to the B. That’s what I love. These young
professional ranks.
kids develop and I get to serve
“One of my favourite memories them. I sit here and talk junior B
is when the (Junior B) Glens went gossip with people. There are lots
to 7 games with Kemptville (73s) in of stories. I love to meet people.
the (St. Lawrence division) junior It’s perfect. I have the best seat in

B final,” says Brunet. “There were the house. I love the kids.”
huge crowds for every game. It Anyone who visits Glengarry
was incredible.”
Sports Palace can’t help but notice
Along with brothers Richard and how jam-packed Brunet keeps his
Maurice, Brunet opened a canteen canteen. It truly is a hockey fan’s
at the old Glengarry Gardens paradise. Along with offering his Pierre Brunet stands behind the counter at his famous Pierre Canteen

arena in Alexandria years ago. The famous poutine, pastries (Beaver at Glengarry Sports Palace in Alexandria. Photo Todd Anderson