NOW: The world’s top scoring forwards will be hardpressed in this young season to match the 10/23 single game point production of Montreal West Island native Mike Ribeiro. The much-maligned former Canadien notched a goal and 4 assists in the 5-3 Dallas win over the New York (I), setting a single game career best in the process.
Click this action shot of Mike for his career stats!
THEN: After Ribeiro paced his squad in scoring last season, Habs backers began to feel the sting of trading the “soft and unmotivated” centre for blueline bust Janne Niinimaa two years ago. The Montreal media was unmerciful on “Ribs” during the early seasons of his career, unjustly annoiting him as the would-be savior of a struggling but proud franchise. That’s a lot to ask of any one man, let alone one who was more or less raised in the shadow of The Forum. Ribeiro’s maturation in the Western Conference coupled with centre Tomas Plekanec’s dreadful playoff performance last season now has several Canadien faithful wishing Habs GM Bob Gainey never pulled the trigger.
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Watch Mike host the Canadiens 2005 Halloween party as Elvis!
OFF THE ICE: The colorful Ribeiro, son of a Portuguese professional futbol player, sported a fauxhawk hairstyle along with many stylish fashions during his years in Montreal. All the while, he’s remained loyal and appreciative of his many fans. Whether posing for pictures at Bonne Notte or signing multiple autographs for collectors, Ribeiro is one Star who never lost his way with fame and fortune. Merci, Mike!
