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Montreal Alouettes

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Montreal Alouettes
Founded1946[1]
Based inMontreal, Quebec, Canada
Home fieldPercival Molson Memorial Stadium[2]
Head coachDan Hawkins
General managerJim Popp
Owner(s)Robert Wetenhall
DivisionEast Division
ColoursRed, blue, silver, and white
       
Nickname(s)Als
Mascot(s)Touché
Websitewww.montrealalouettes.com
Current uniform
Current sports event 2013 Montreal Alouettes season

The Montreal Alouettes (Template:Lang-fr, IPA: [alwɛt]) are a professional Canadian football team based in Montreal, Quebec. They are also commonly known as the Als. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Alouettes play their regular season home games at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium and their home playoff games at Olympic Stadium.

The current franchise named the Alouettes moved to Montreal from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1996 where they had been known as the Baltimore Stallions.[3] The CFL considers all clubs that have played in Montreal since 1946 as one franchise in their league records, including those of the original Alouettes (1946–1981), Montreal Concordes (1982–1985) and Montreal Alouettes (1986). The Alouettes and the CFL, however, do not recognize the Baltimore franchise, or its records, as part of the official team history. Including all aforementioned incarnations of the franchise, Montreal has won the Grey Cup a total of seven times.[4]

Under General Manager Jim Popp and quarterback Anthony Calvillo, the Als became one of the most successful teams in CFL history in the 2000s. Between 2000–2010, the Als led the CFL with a 168-88-1 record for a .656 winning percentage and eight regular season first place finishes.[5] They have the most Grey Cup appearances in the 2000s with eight, having won three in that period, including two back-to-back.[6] The Alouettes currently have the longest active playoff streak, and second longest of all time, having qualified for the playoffs for 17 straight seasons.[7]

Team facts

Founded: The original Montreal club was founded on April 8, 1872. The original club was renamed as the Montreal Alouettes (Skylarks or Larks in English translation) in 1946. However, the original Alouettes club ceased operations following the 1981 season and was replaced by a new team, the Montreal Concordes, which played from 1982 to 1985. The Concordes were rechristened the "new" Alouettes for the 1986 season, but ceased operations the day before the 1987 season was due to start, on the Quebec national holiday, June 24. The Baltimore Stallions were founded in 1994 and moved to Montreal in 1996 to become the third team to take the Alouettes name.
Formerly Known as: Montreal Concordes (1982–1985), Montreal Alouettes (1986), Baltimore Colts, Baltimore CFL Colts, Baltimore CFLers, Baltimore Football Club (1994)*, Baltimore Stallions (1995).
*The team was originally to be known as the Colts, but had to change its name following an injunction from the NFL Indianapolis Colts, who previously played in Baltimore.
Preceded in the market by: Montreal Football Club (1872–1915), Montreal AAA Winged Wheelers (1919–1935), Montreal Indians (1936–37), Montreal Cubs (1938), Montreal Royales (1939–41)
Helmet Design: Silver background with a blue "A" and a charging skylark (alouette) holding a football.
Uniform Colours: Blue, red, silver, white, and black
Home Stadium: The Alouettes play at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium for the regular season, while they play at Olympic Stadium for playoff games.
Past Stadiums: Delorimier Stadium (1946–53), Percival Molson Memorial Stadium (1954–67, '72, '98— ), Autostade (1968–71, 1973–76), Olympic Stadium (1976–86, 1996–97, '98— )
East Division Regular Season Championships: 18: 1946, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
Grey Cup Appearances: 18:[4] 1949 (won), 1954 (lost), 1955 (lost), 1956 (lost), 1970 (won), 1974 (won), 1975 (lost), 1977 (won), 1978 (lost), 1979 (lost), 2000 (lost), 2002 (won), 2003 (lost), 2005 (lost), 2006 (lost), 2008 (lost), 2009 (won), 2010 (won)
2012 Regular Season Record: 11 wins, 7 losses, 0 ties

Ownership

The Montreal Alouettes Football Club is owned by business man Bob Wetenhall, who purchased the club in 1997. He was also a co-owner of the Boston Patriots of the American Football League during the late 1960s and continued as an owner of the New England Patriots when the franchise entered the NFL. He also was a co-owner of a North American Soccer League team in the 1970s.

He was granted the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from McGill University a testament to the pivotal role he played in the redevelopment of the Montreal Alouettes and the accompanying expansion of the McGill University's Percival Molson Stadium in 2011.[8]

Executive Committee

As of 2011 the Montreal Alouettes Executive Committee consited of seven people: Bob Wetenhall, Owner; Mark Weightman, Chief Operating Officer; Paul Harris, Chairman, Board of Directors; Philippe de Gaspé Beaubien III, Director; L. Jacques Ménard, O.C. Director; Andrew Wetenhall, Director; and Robert Wetenhall Jr., Director.

Fan Base

Since the resurgence of the Montreal franchise in 1996, the Als have had one of the strongest and most loyal fan bases in the CFL. In 2010 the Als enjoyed their 100-plus consecutive sellout.[9] The average home attendance for the Als in 2011 including preseason and regular season was 23,775.[10]

The Fan Train

The Fan Train has been a fan-favorite event since its debut in 1998 and it was back for a 14th consecutive year in 2011. The Fan Train is presented by Via Rail Canada and it allows fans to get closer to the Alouettes’ stars during a road game. For $299, taxes included, fans received one round-trip train ticket to Hamilton and one ticket to the game, located within the reserved Alouettes fan section, which every year, with crowds in excess of 300 fans, proves to be a little corner of Percival Molson Stadium on the road.

The Alouettes cheerleaders accompany fans to the game on the train leaving Montreal’s Central Station on the morning of the event. Following the game however, it was the Alouettes who boarded the train alongside the Montreal faithful, and fans were able to mingle with their favorite Alouettes stars, taking pictures and collecting autographs on the ride home.

Mascot and Cheerleaders

The Als mascots are Touché and Blitz. Touché and his brother Blitz are skylarks. They have been the Alouettes team mascots since 1996.

The Alouettes Cheerleaders are simply known as The Alouettes Cheerleaders. The Montreal Alouettes cheerleading team was formed in 1996 and the cheerleaders have been entertaining fans for 16 years now. The team consists of 32 women ranging in age from 18-30. The 32 women were selected based on their talent, experience, rhythm, outgoing personalities, and dynamism.

Franchise history

Canadian football has a long history in Montreal, dating to the 1850s. The Alouettes were first formed in 1946 by CFL hall of famer Lew Hayman. They named themselves after "Alouette", a work song about plucking the feathers from a skylark, which had become a symbol of the Québécois. (Similarly, during the Second World War the RCAF's No. 425 (French Canadian) (Bomber) Squadron assumed the lark as its badge and the motto "Je te plumerai"—"I shall pluck you".) They won their first Grey Cup championship in 1949, beating Calgary 28–15 led by quarterback Frank Filchock and running back Virgil Wagner.

Notable Seasons

"Prince" Hal Patterson in a 1958 Alouettes uniform.

The Sam Etcheverry era: 1952-1960

The 1950s were a productive decade for the Als, with legendary quarterback Sam Etcheverry throwing passes to John "Red" O'Quinn, "Prince" Hal Patterson, and with Pat Abbruzzi carrying the ball, Montreal fielded the most dangerous offence in all Canadian football. From 1954 to 1956, they reached the Grey Cup in three straight years, but questionable defensive units led the Alouettes to defeat against the Edmonton Eskimos all three times.

Era of darkness: the 1960s

The team was purchased in 1954 by Ted Workman – and while the team continued to enjoy success, that all changed at the end of the 1960 season. To be more specific, the team was shaken by an announcement on November 10 – namely the trade of Hal Patterson and Sam Etchevery to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for Bernie Faloney and Don Paquette. Workman had concluded the deal without consulting with his General Manager (Perry Moss). Moss had just signed Sam Etcheverry to a new contract with a no-trade clause. Trading a player with a no-trade made him a free agent, and the deal thus crumbled. The deal was reworked and Patterson was traded for Paquette. Sam Etcheverry went on to play in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals for two years (1961 and 1962) followed by the San Francisco 49ers in 1963. Faloney remained in Hamilton and teamed with Patterson to form one of the most deadly quarterback-receiver combinations in CFL history

This episode remains one of the most lopsided trades ever made in the Alouettes' history, and it ushered in a dark decade for the team, who not once registered a winning record throughout the 1960s. From 1968 to 1976 the team played in the Autostade stadium—which had been built as a temporary stadium for Expo 67. The stadium's less-than-desirable location on Montreal's waterfront near the Victoria Bridge led to dismal attendance, putting more strain on the team's finances.

In 1961 the Alouettes hosted an exhibition game between them and the NFL's Chicago Bears, with the Bears coming out on top 34–16.[11]

The 1970s

Workman sold a half-stake in the team to construction magnate Joe Atwell in 1965. Atwell became sole owner in 1967, but the ownership change saw no turnaround in the team's fortunes. Relief didn't come until 1969, when Atwell sold the team to the highly capable Sam Berger, the former owner of the Ottawa Rough Riders. Berger made immediate changes to the team. On December 9, the team announced that Sam Etcheverry was returning to the organization—this time as the team's new head coach. The team also unveiled new uniforms—their home jerseys were now predominantly green, with red and white trim. The white helmets with the red "wings" used during the 1960s also disappeared, replaced by a white helmet with a stylized green and red bird's head that formed a lower-case "a". As one might expect from a team that had won only two games in 1969, many new players were brought in.

Former Alouettes' quarterback George Mira (1972–1973)

The changes paid immediate dividends. Although the team finished third in the 1970 regular season, they defeated the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the playoffs. The 1970 season culminated when the Alouettes won the 58th Grey Cup, played on November 28 at Toronto's Exhibition Stadium before a crowd of 32,669. Led by quarterback Sonny Wade (who was named the game's most valuable player, and who would soon become a fan favorite in Montreal—not unlike the status his coach had enjoyed in the 1950s), halfback Moses Denson, receivers Gary Lefebvre and Tom Pullen, along with kicker George Springate, the team defeated the Calgary Stampeders 23–10 for the city's first Grey Cup since 1949, also against the Stamps. That 1970 victory would herald the beginning of arguably the greatest decade in franchise history. During Berger's tenure as owner, the team made six Grey Cup appearances and won the Canadian championship three times.

In 1974, Montreal won its second CFL title of the decade with Sonny Wade under center and legends like Johnny "The Ordinary Superstar" Rodgers, Junior Ah You, Wally Buono, Larry Smith and Peter Dalla Riva making the Als the talk of the town. With Marv Levy as head coach, the team won their third title in franchise history in a 20-7 dismantling of the Eskimos.[12]

The Als finally moved out of the Autostade and into Olympic Stadium midway through the 1976 season and attendance shot up. In 1977, already the dominating team of the 70s, the Als won their third championship of the decade and fourth overall in perhaps the most legendary game in team history. Playing on a frozen field at the roofless Olympic Stadium, Alouette defensive back Tony Proudfoot came up with the idea of putting staples into the soles of his and several of his teammates' shoes. The result was a 41-6 destruction of the Eskimos in front of 68,318 fans at Montreal's Olympic Stadium - still the biggest crowd in Grey Cup history. They also averaged 59,595 fans per game at the "Big O" during the regular season, a league record that still stands.

The 1980s

File:Montreal Alouettes old triangle logo.jpg
Montreal Alouettes logo 1974–81, 1986, 2010 throwback

However, the success ended with Berger's retirement in 1981. He sold the team to Nelson Skalbania, a Vancouver businessman. The flamboyant Skalbania set about signing two first-round picks from the 1981 National Football League draft plus NFL name players such as Vince Ferragamo, James Scott, David Overstreet, Keith Gary and Billy "White Shoes" Johnson. Even with all that talent, the Alouettes suffered on the field, finishing with a dismal 3–13 record while attendance plummeted to under 20,000 per game. However, the East was so weak that year (Hamilton was the only team to finish with a winning record) that they actually made the playoffs. They made a fairly good showing against the Rough Riders before losing 20-16.

As it turned out, this would be the last game that the original Alouettes franchise would play. Late in the season, Skalbania was reportedly in talks to sell the Alouettes to oil magnate Pat Bowlen, who would later buy the NFL's Denver Broncos. Later in 1981, legendary NFL coach George Allen obtained an option to purchase 51% of the club, and was actually named the Alouettes' president. While holding both the option and the post, Allen was surprised by Skalbania arranging a sale of the same controlling stake to former Vancouver Canucks and later St. Louis Blues owner Harry Ornest. Ornest, however, was reluctant to take actual control of the Alouettes as a result of the team's high level of debt and extensive commitments to high-profile stars. For a short time in early April 1982, Allen looked set to take control of the Alouettes. However, Allen left the club in late April after Skalbania was unable to resolve 1981 debts. With the franchise in utter collapse, Berger tried to force Skalbania to relinquish the team for him as payment for unresolved debt. However, Skalbania returned from a business trip to Hong Kong in late April and was able to fend off Berger's bid to regain control of the team. Only a month later, Skalbania's highly-leveraged business empire collapsed. Unable to meet his obligations, he was forced to return the team to the league on May 13.

Montreal Concordes

File:Concordes logo.png
Montreal Concordes logo.

On May 14, 1982, just a day after the original Alouettes franchise folded, Montreal businessman and Montreal Expos founder Charles Bronfman came to the rescue and founded a new team under the name Montreal Concordes. This new team inherited the Alouettes franchise history and its players.

The Concordes sported a 2–14–0 record in their first season in 1982 under head coach Joe Galat. The Concordes featured QB Luc Tousignant, the only French-Canadian QB to start a CFL game. The dismal club also featured star NCAA RB David Overstreet who rushed for just 190 yards in six games before ending his season on the injured reserve list. The Concordes lost their last nine games of 1982. Other stars on the club included QB Johnny Evans, QB Turner Gill, SB Nick Arakgi, RB Lester Brown, local KR Denny Ferdinand, DT Glen Weir, LB Delbert Fowler, S Preston Young, DE Gordon Judges and K/P Don Sweet. The team gradually rebounded, even making the East Final in 1985.

In 1986, the team attempted to embrace its predecessor's history and regenerate flagging fan interest by rebranding itself the "new" Montreal Alouettes. But after a dismal 4–14 season and mounting financial losses, the new Alouettes folded on June 24, 1987, just a day before the 1987 season started. So late did the Alouettes' demise come that the June 28 Washington Post still announced an ESPN broadcast of an Alouettes–Stampeders game, a game that would never be played. The team did play two preseason games before folding.

The current Alouettes

Further information: Baltimore Stallions

The Baltimore Football Club was granted an expansion franchise for 1994 by the Canadian Football League. Originally intending to invoke the spirit of the city's former NFL club, the team attempted to brand themselves the "Baltimore Colts". The NFL and Indianapolis Colts owner Robert Irsay filed suit and won an injunction, both prohibiting the team from use of the "Baltimore Colts" name as well as that of their next choice, the "Baltimore CFL Colts". During this time, it was quite common for the stadium announcer to announce the team as the "Baltimore <long pause where the fans would yell "Colts"> Football Club". The team would use the names "Baltimore Football Club" and the "Baltimore CFLs" for its inaugural season, before becoming the "Baltimore Stallions" for the 1995 season.

The team was by far the most successful of the CFL's American teams, garnering persistent fan support in the Baltimore area and appearing in the Grey Cup in both its seasons (losing in 1994, winning in 1995). However, in late 1995, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell announced his intention to relocate his NFL club to Baltimore, where they would be rechristened the Baltimore Ravens. This would have made the Stallions the only CFL club ever to directly compete with the NFL, whose season overlaps with the last three months of the CFL season. Stallions owner Jim Speros realized that despite the Stallions' popularity, they could not possibly compete with the NFL. After deals with Norfolk, Virginia and Houston fell through, Speros moved the Stallions to Montreal and revived the old Alouettes name for the 1996 season.

While the CFL allowed the Alouettes to reclaim the 1946-87 franchise's history, it did not allow the club to retain its legacy as the Stallions. As a result, general manager Jim Popp was forced to rebuild the team from scratch. He was, however, able to resign quarterback Tracy Ham and running back Mike Pringle

In 1996, Montreal didn't exactly burst out of the gate, starting 0-3 in front of sparse crowds at the Big O, but eventually finished the season second in the East Division with a more-than-respectable 12-6-0 record under the leadership of coach Bob Price.[12] It was the franchise's first winning record since 1979.

In 1997, Speros sold the team to Robert Wetenhall, and former Alouette star and CFL Commissioner Larry Smith became President of the club. Dave Ritchie took over from Price as head coach and Popp filled in some key holes en route to the Als finishing once again in second place with a 13-5-0 record.

Despite a more-than-respectable showing on the field, the Als had trouble filling the cavernous Olympic Stadium. The long term prospects for the franchise were once again uncertain, until a twist of fate revitalized the floundering club. When a scheduled November 1997 U2 concert conflicted with an unexpected home play-off game against the BC Lions (due to the CFL's 'cross-over' playoff format), the team decided to return temporarily to Molson Stadium, where they had played from 1954 to 1967. Interest in the team soared and the game was sold out, prompting the team to relocate permanently to the smaller venue beginning with the 1998 season. Since 1999, the Alouettes have sold out every game at the stadium located on the campus of McGill University. At the time of the Alouettes' return to Molson, the stadium's capacity was 20,202; an expansion completed prior to the 2010 season brought the current capacity to 25,012.

The team has not completely abandoned Olympic Stadium, however. Due to the heavy demand for tickets, the Alouettes soon resumed playing playoff games (a regular feature in recent seasons) at the "Big O" and from 2003-2007 played one regular season game at the larger venue. These matches have been well attended, often drawing more than 50,000 fans. In 2008, however, the Als did not play their annual "Fan Day" game at the Big O due to the fact they hosted the Grey Cup at that venue in November. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, the Alouettes hosted the East Division final at the Big O.

Prior to every Sunday home game, the club plays "Sunday Bloody Sunday" over the PA system in tribute to the unintended role U2 played in saving the franchise.

Anthony Calvillo era: 1998 to present

The Als once again finished second in the East with a 12-5-1 record under Ritchie in 1998, but three major pieces fell into place that year to secure the future of the team: The Als drafted receiver Ben Cahoon, signed free agent quarterback Anthony Calvillo, and center Bryan Chiu began playing as a regular after being drafted by the Als the previous season. The Alouettes were beaten 22 to 20 in the East Division final by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Mike Pringle set a CFL record with a 2,065-yard rushing season in 1998.

In 1999, with Charlie Taaffe stepping in for Ritchie as head coach, the Als became the class of the East; Montreal won the CFL East Division with a 12-6 regular season record, finishing first in their division for the first time since 1979. Ham and Calvillo alternated in the starting role in '99, while Pringle established himself as one of the best running backs in CFL history. The Als suffered a heartbreaking 27-26 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Division Final, but were finally on the cusp of dominance.

In 2000, the Alouettes took the "next step" with Calvillo taking over full-time for the now-retired Ham and A.C., Pringle, and Cahoon helping lead Montreal to a 12-6-0 first-place finish before dispatching of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the East Division Final at Percival Molson Stadium to make their first Grey Cup appearance since 1979. Despite losing to the BC Lions 28-26 at Calgary's McMahon Stadium, the Alouettes were ready to start the best decade in franchise history.

In 2001, following three years at the helm of Montreal's football team, Taaffe stepped aside to return to the United States, giving a chance for his defensive coordinator, Rod Rust, to take the reins as head coach. Rust had a great debut as the team started 9-2-0, but then the "wheels fell off" and Montreal eventually finished 9-9-0, Rust was let go, and Popp finished out the season coaching the team. Montreal was beaten by Hamilton in the CFL East Division semi-final 24 to 12.[13] The City of Montreal hosted the 89th Grey Cup, culminating with the Stampeders beating the Blue Bombers at a packed Olympic Stadium to win the league title. On a positive note for the Alouettes, the team announced the hiring of Don Matthews as its next head coach during Grey Cup Week.

In 2002, under Matthews the Alouettes went 13-5 and won the 90th Grey Cup over the Edmonton Eskimos 25 to 16. It was the Alouettes first Grey Cup victory since 1977, which also involved them defeating those same Edmonton Eskimos.

In the 2003 CFL season, Calvillo broke numerous Montreal Alouettes passing records, completing 408 of 675 passing attempts for 5,891 yards and 37 touchdowns. The Alouettes once again went 13-5 in the regular season, but they lost the 91st Grey Cup to Edmonton 34 to 22.

In 2004, Matthews led the Als to the best record in franchise history at 14-4-0. Calvillo became the fourth quarterback in CFL history to pass for more than 6,000 yards in a single season (Doug Flutie, David Archer, and Kent Austin being the other three), earning him the East Division nomination for Most Outstanding Player for the third consecutive year. The team suffered a surprise East Division Final loss to the eventual-champion Toronto Argonauts at the Big O when Calvillo went down with an injury in the second half of the game. They lost the East final to Toronto 26 to 18.

The quarterback, holding the football, looks down field for a teammate to pass to while several of his teammates push up against four opposing players attempting to reach him.
Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo looks down field with the ball during the 2005 Grey Cup against the Edmonton Eskimos at BC Place Stadium.

During the 2005 pre-season Mike Pringle signed a one day contract and retired as a member of the Montreal Alouettes, with a CFL record 16,425 rushing yards. 2005 marked yet another amazing year for Matthews and the Als as the team finished second with a 10-8-0 record, and beat the first-place Argos at Toronto's Rogers Centre with running back Éric Lapointe having the game of his career with three touchdowns on the ground. Montreal then lost what is widely considered one of the most exciting games in Grey Cup history[citation needed] with the Eskimos pulling out a 38-35 double-overtime win at Vancouver's BC Place.

In 2006, Matthews led the Als to an 8-6-0 record before stepping aside for health reasons in the second half of the 2006 season. Popp took over coaching duties once again and led the Als all the way to the Grey Cup - a 25-14 loss to the Lions at Winnipeg's Canad Inns Stadium. The game was somewhat controversial as at a key moment, Montreal's Chip Cox returned a fumble by BC quarterback Dave Dickenson that would have given the Als a lead. The officials deemed, however, that Dickenson was down by contact despite replays that showed that he clearly and undisputably fumbled the ball. Montreal lost the 94th Grey Cup to the BC Lions 25 to 14.[12]

In 2007, the Alouettes launched a new website that features exclusive news and information in a first for a CFL team. The Alouettes release all player announcements and other news on Montreal Alouettes.com at least an hour before releasing anything to the media.[14] This has caused some controversy with news wires like CP, but remains a favourite with Alouettes fans. The site also features the exclusive player columns and features that make most top sports sites popular. Popp remained as the Als' coach in 2007 as the team took a step in the wrong direction finishing 8-10-0 and third in the East. The Alouettes lost in the semi-finals to Winnipeg 24 to 22.

Beginning in late 2008, the Alouettes became the first CFL team to exploit social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter in their marketing campaigns, remaining the league leader in technology-based marketing. In 2008, Marc Trestman was named the 19th head coach of the Als[15] and Montreal went 11-7 in his first year. Calvillo hit a number of career milestones in 2008. On June 26, in a game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Calvillo surpassed Danny McManus to become the second-all-time leading passer in the CFL. On July 31, in another game against the Tiger-Cats, Calvillo became the fourth quarterback in league history to reach 300 career touchdown passes. On August 15, in a game against the Toronto Argonauts, Calvillo became the second quarterback in CFL history to reach 4,000 career pass completions.

The Als set records for the most points scored in team history (610), the second-best points-for average in team history (33.9), the CFL record of 13-straight games with at least 30 points scored and a CFL record of 15 games out of 18 with at least 30 points scored. The Als also had 495 pass completions, tying the CFL and team record. The Als offensive line set a team record (since 1996) of just 22 sacks allowed.

Montreal Alouettes on offence in the 96th Grey Cup.

Anthony Calvillo led the Montreal Alouettes to the 2008 Grey Cup final, which the Alouettes lost 22-14 to the Calgary Stampeders. Despite the Grey Cup loss, Calvillo still won the 2008 Most Outstanding Player award. Marc Trestman was named the CFLPA’s coach of the year and he was named a finalist for the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL Coach of the Year.

In 2009, Calvillo added to his club records while reaching more CFL milestones. On July 23, 2009, he surpassed Canadian Football Hall of Famer Ron Lancaster's 334 career touchdown passes to move into second place all time. He sat out two games during the regular season, but still accumulated 4639 yards while posting a 72.0% completion rate, the second best single-season completion rate in CFL history behind Dave Dickenson's 73.98% mark set in 2005.

The Marc Trestman-led Alouettes went 15-3 in the regular season, and finished in first place in the East Division for the eighth time in the last 10 years. The Als had the second-best record in CFL history, and set a team record for most wins in a season. the Als had a perfect home record of 9-0-0; it was the fourth perfect home record in team history and the first in an 18-game season. The als had a second-straight season with at least 600 points scored. The Als defense allowed the second-fewest points in a single season (324) since the CFL moved to 18 games. Also in 2009 Anthony Calvillo led Montreal to a comeback victory in the 97th Grey Cup on Nov. 29, when the Alouettes defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders on a last-second field goal. Marc Trestman was named the CFLPA’s coach of the year for the 2009 season. The players, coaches, staff and management of the Montreal Alouettes received their 2009 Grey Cup Championship rings on June 4, 2010 in a grand ceremony presided over by team owner Robert C. Wetenhall at the chalet at the summit of Mount Royal. A committee of five people consisting of Alouettes VP and GM Jim Popp, and players Bryan Chiu, Anthony Calvillo, Scott Flory and Anwar Stewart, helped design the ring, which is a first of its kind. The word MONTRÉAL is inscribed on the ring’s face in the same font as is found on the white road jerseys the team wore in winning the championship. There is also a raised depiction of the Grey Cup itself on the front.[16][17]

2010 onward saw a return of the blue, red, and white triangle "AM" (flying Alouette "M") logo and uniforms used from 1974–81 as part of the CFL's throwback and retro uniform program. Montreal went 12-6 in the 2010 regular season and GM Jim Popp, Head Coach Marc Trestman, quarterback Anthony Calvillo and the Alouettes won their second straight Grey Cup on November 28, 2010 at 98th Grey Cup in Edmonton, Alberta. Calvillo added to his record total of passing yards in Grey Cup games with 2470 yards, as well as setting the record for Grey Cup starts with eight. As of the 2010 CFL season, Calvillo is 3-5 in Grey Cup Championship games. After 13 seasons all with the Als, 224 games, 1,017 catches, one always more spectacular than the other, 13,301 yards and 65 touchdowns, slotback Ben Cahoon hung up his cleats.[18] The players, coaches, staff and management of the Montreal Alouettes received their 2010 Grey Cup Championship rings during a grand ceremony presided over by team owner Robert C. Wetenhall at a downtown Montreal hotel. Two Grey Cups could be found on the rings, representing the back-to-back championship seasons that the Alouettes came off of, a rare feat in the world of professional sports. The rings also feature three large diamonds, representing the three championships that the team won while under the governance of Bob Wetenhall (2002, 2009 and 2010), and four smaller diamonds, representing the other four championships in Alouettes history. A 3D Alouettes logo is featured on the top of the ring, and 14 diamonds represent each of the team’s wins in 2010. Furthermore, each player can also find his picture, name, and number engraved on one side of the ring, a first for a CFL championship ring. A committee of four people consisting of Alouettes Vice-President and General Manager Jim Popp, along with players Anthony Calvillo, Scott Flory and Anwar Stewart helped design the ring; this was also the case for the 2009 ring.[19][20]

In 2011, Montreal went 10-8 and finished second in the CFL East Division. Montreal lost a double-overtime shoot-out to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 52 to 44 in the CFL East semi-final. On July 15, 2011 retired receiving star Ben Cahoon was honoured with a standing ovation at Percival Molson Stadium on a night when his long-time quarterback Anthony Calvillo made CFL history. Against the Toronto Argonauts Calvillo completed his CFL record 395th career touchdown pass to Éric Deslauriers.[21] On August 4 of that same season, and again against the Argonauts, Calvillo completed his 5159th pass completion to Brandon London to move past Damon Allen to become the leader in that category as well.[22] Jim Popp the Montreal Alouettes general manager was named executive of the year at the Sports Media Canada award luncheon on October 3, 2011.[23] Then, on October 10, 2011, Calvillo completed a touchdown pass to Jamel Richardson to become professional football's all-time leading passer, in the Alouettes' third and final game against the Toronto Argonauts that year.[24][25]

Since their return to the CFL in 1996, the Alouettes have appeared in the Grey Cup eight times, all between 2000 and 2010, with three Grey Cup wins. They most recently won back-to-back Grey Cup championships in 2009 and 2010, both against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, including a 'comeback classic' in 2009. The Alouettes have been to the Grey Cup more often than any other CFL team this decade and are considered by sports experts[who?] to be the most successful CFL team since 2000 in terms of regular-season statistics and Grey Cup appearances.

On January 15, 2013, Trestman left the Alouettes to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears.[26]

Current roster

Montreal Alouettes roster
Quarterbacks

Receivers

Running backs

Fullbacks

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Suspended

Italics indicate American player • Bold indicates Global player • 74 Roster, 1 Suspended
Roster updated 2024-12-12 • Depth chart • Transactions • More CFL rosters

Current coaching staff

Montreal Alouettes staff
Front Office

Head Coach

Offensive Coaches

 

Defensive Coaches

Staff

  • Equipment Manager – Dominic Manno
  • Equipment Manager – David Deschamps
  • Head Athletic Therapist – Tristan Castonguay
  • Assistant Athletic Therapist - Dillon Warren

→ Coaching Staff
→ More CFL staffs

Players of note

Head coaches

General managers

Stadium

Main article: Percival Molson Memorial Stadium

Montreal is the only professional football team with two permanent stadiums.[29] The Alouettes' home field is Percival Molson Memorial Stadium for the regular season and Olympic Stadium for the playoffs.[2] Percival Molson Memorial Stadium was labeled the best game-day experience for fans and media in the CFL, in a September 11, 2011 Vancouver Sun article. "It may be the CFL’s smallest cathedral (just over 25,000 seats), but Montreal football fanatics regard Molson Stadium with some of the same endearment Cubs fans hold for Wrigley Field."[30]

See also

References

  1. ^ The original Alouettes were founded in 1946.
  2. ^ a b The Alouettes play their regular season home games at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium and home playoff games at Olympic Stadium.
  3. ^ "Montreal Alouettes". En.montrealalouettes.com. 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  4. ^ a b "By the Numbers: Grey Cup Glory | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League". CFL.ca. 2010-12-02. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  5. ^ "Popp extends with the Alouettes | Montreal Alouettes". En.montrealalouettes.com. 2010-08-04. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  6. ^ "History | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League". CFL.ca. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  7. ^ "By the Numbers: Playoffs???!!! | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League". CFL.ca. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  8. ^ Bob Watenhall receives honorary McGill university degree http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article/bob-wetenhall-receives-honorary-mcgill-university-degree
  9. ^ "Larry Smith steps down | Montreal Alouettes". En.montrealalouettes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  10. ^ "2011 Schedule | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League". CFL.ca. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  11. ^ "The Official Website of the Chicago Bears". Chicagobears.com. 2012-01-01. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  12. ^ a b c "History | Montreal Alouettes". En.montrealalouettes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  13. ^ Zurkowsky, Herb (November 12, 2001). "Meltdown complete: 'New season' same old story for Als as they're bounced by Ticats; Tiger-Cats 24 Alouettes 12". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on November 13, 2001.
  14. ^ A NEW SITE FOR FANS http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article/a_new_site_for_fans
  15. ^ "Trestman named the new coach | Montreal Alouettes". En.montrealalouettes.com. 2007-12-18. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  16. ^ The champs get their rings! http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article/the-champs-get-their-rings
  17. ^ The Als get their Grey Cup rings! http://en.montrealalouettes.com/video/index/id/11501
  18. ^ "Ben Cahoon retires | Montreal Alouettes". En.montrealalouettes.com. 2011-01-26. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  19. ^ 2010 Grey Cup rings http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article/champs-receive-their-2010-grey-cup-rings
  20. ^ Video: 2010 Grey Cup Ring Ceremony http://en.montrealalouettes.com/video/index/id/17667
  21. ^ Calvillo Sets All-Time TD Passing Record http://en.montrealalouettes.com/video/index/id/18789
  22. ^ Calvillo Sets All-Time Completions Record http://en.montrealalouettes.com/video/index/id/19441
  23. ^ Popp humbled by Executive of the Year honour http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article/popp-humbled-by-executive-of-the-year-honour
  24. ^ Anthony Calvillo becomes pro football's all-time passing leader http://en.montrealalouettes.com/article/ac-breaks-passing-yardage-record
  25. ^ On-Field Presentation to AC http://en.montrealalouettes.com/video/index/id/21311
  26. ^ Mayer, Larry (2013-01-16). "Trestman hired as 14th coach in Bears history". Chicago Bears. Retrieved 2013-01-16.
  27. ^ Montreal Alouettes Retired Jerseys
  28. ^ London Calling: Receiver delivers in Als win
  29. ^ "Montreal Stadium Status on cfldb". Cfldb.ca. 2011-09-15. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
  30. ^ Beamish, Mike (2011-09-14). "Molson Stadium toast of the CFL". Vancouversun.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

Media

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