Article content

Although Kristian Matte dressed for only one regular-season game as a rookie with the Alouettes in 2010, the organization presented him with a Grey Cup ring after defeating Saskatchewan for their second consecutive championship.

Little could the veteran guard have known then it would take him another 13 years to legitimately earn the bauble.

Article content

“You never think it’s going to take this long,” Matte told The Gazette on Friday night, after players and members of the organization were presented with their Cup rings during a lavish ceremony at a downtown Montreal hotel. “Your first year, you think it’s going to be a regular occurrence. Then, you realize, even in a small (nine-team) league, it’s not a given every year.

Article content

“I didn’t think I’d have to wait that long for it, but I’m glad I kept being persistent and didn’t stop,” added the 38-year-old, who’s returning for his 15th season with the Alouettes. “This one means so much to me because of all the support. It has a very special place in my heart.”

As one of the team captains, Matte was part of the committee that received a sneak preview of the ring before the final design was agreed upon.

Like most championship trinkets, it’s both large and dazzling. Crafted by Baron Championship Rings, the Alouettes logo features a blue sapphire in a honeycomb pattern, surrounded by red stones. Encircling the sapphire, 254 white diamonds symbolize the days of Pierre Karl Péladeau’s new ownership prior to Montreal’s come-from-behind 28-24 victory over favoured Winnipeg on Nov. 19 at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field. Sparkling blue, red and green stones symbolize Canadian, American and global players uniting under the team’s banner.

About 90 rings were presented to executives, players, staff and cheerleaders. Even long-time supporter Heather Lowengren, who brings baked muffins, cookies or frozen treats to practice on a regular basis and was present on Friday, received a ring. Péladeau refused to disclose the price tag, but previous CFL organizations generally have spent between $8,000-$10,000 apiece.

Article content

Article content

Winning a title as a rookie owner was one of life’s great accomplishments for the Montreal businessman and former leader of the Parti Québécois, who drew accolades throughout the season from general manager Danny Maciocia for refusing to interfere in the team’s daily operations.

“You know what? Everyone knows a bit of football,” Péladeau said. “Everyone can be a Monday morning quarterback. I trust the people. This is something that will continue to evolve. Danny Maciocia has been doing a tremendous job. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. That’s the best example I can give.”

Péladeau purchased the team in March 2023 after the league assumed temporary ownership from Gary Stern. It was only on the morning of free agency, one month earlier, that the CFL allocated funds to Maciocia, allowing him to sign players after many high-priced stars — including quarterback Trevor Harris and receiver Eugene Lewis — departed.

“Only one word came to mind — peace,” Maciocia said. “You can’t buy peace. That peace brought us to where we are today. We worked in a peaceful environment from training camp, heading into the season, when we were on a four-game losing streak. We were in a peaceful environment when we went on that eight-game (winning) stretch (culminating in) the Grey Cup victory. You can’t imagine the value of that peaceful feeling that we experienced.

Article content

“There’s no reason to feel we can’t be the reference of the CFL moving forward because of that peace. But the guy talking to you gets too much credit for this championship run.”

The timing of the ceremony, with Montreal’s first training camp practice coming Sunday afternoon in St-Jérôme, was hardly a coincidence. It signified the conclusion of the 2023 season. This weekend begins a new chapter, according to head coach Jason Maas, and there won’t be any talk of being the defending champs, he stressed.

“This is something that will never be taken away from us,” Maas said, addressing the room. “When you get this ring, we’re connected for life.

“We’re a new team, starting a new journey together,” he added. “We’ve got a lot of new individuals in our locker room we have to get connected with. We have to play together as a team and introduce our culture to them and our standards.”

While Matte waited what must have seemed like a lifetime to play in the title game and win a championship, eight rookies were dressed for the Als’ improbable upset win. Rookie receiver Tyler Snead can continue to dream big, but realizes winning a Cup might not be an annual occurrence.

Snead, who began the season on the practice roster, captured the first title of his career. He and his father drove more than 13 hours from North Carolina on Thursday to attend the ceremony.

“My first year in the CFL … being around this group, it’s so special,” he said. “It was a special season for me, the best season I’ve ever had. I enjoyed every minute. I’ll cherish this forever and I’ll give (the ring) to my kid one day. It’s awesome to look at and hold.”

[email protected]

twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1

Article content

Article content