For the past few days, Paul Arcand’s retirement has been the hot topic in the Quebec media world. The “king of the airwaves” has hung up his microphone, as he delivered his last show yesterday.
And the tributes have been pouring in ever since, of course.
However, behind the scenes, Alain Crête (who worked alongside Arcand for many years) has also left radio. The morning “sports guy” also bowed out of radio yesterday.
And this morning, on FM93, the man we know best as the studio host for Habs games chatted a bit about his future, and confirmed that he’ll be retiring from television in 2026.
Until then, he’ll be in “semi-retirement”, meaning he’ll continue to host hockey games, but won’t do anything else. His other appearances will be cut, basically.
We welcome Alain Crête, who retired from radio at the same time as Paul Arcand. https://t.co/poKrtvLFLo
– FM93 Québec (@fm93quebec) June 15, 2024
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The host, who wants to make a transition to retirement rather than a “drastic cut”, explains that his current contract requires him to make other appearances beyond hockey games. From now on, he will only be seen on game days (but not on Saturdays, of course).
This will be the case until 2026, when he retires (and the current RDS broadcasting contract comes to an end).
What we have to understand, then, is that we’ll no longer see him, for example, on the 5 to 7 on days when the Habs aren’t in action. One wonders if he’ll make the occasional appearance on game days, but that will no longer be one of his obligations, as we understand it.
The man who will be 66 at the start of next season will therefore be hosting for two more years before making way for others.
And with RDS looking likely to retain the rights to broadcast CH games beyond 2026, one wonders who will take his place if the network has to replace him as of the 2026-27 season…
Overtime
– The last time the Oilers lost three games in a row, they won 16 in a row afterwards.
The @EdmontonOilers have been resilient all season and will need to snap a three-game losing skid to keep their #StanleyCup dreams alive.
Catch Game 4 at 8 p.m. ET on @ABCNetwork, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet, @TVASports and CBC.#NHLStats: https://t.co/XIFV6jTiee pic.twitter.com/Xi7fwCXszc
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 15, 2024
– Not an ugly comparison.
24 Oilers look like 23 Panthers
Finals experience is a real thing. A hot goalie is helpful as well. Oilers have lived it before.@rayferraro21 @DarrenDreger discuss in @TimHortons Headlines.
Full pod courtesy @Canadian_Club
On all platforms here: https://t.co/RW2m27m7WN pic.twitter.com/y0USmRcI4n– The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast (@rayanddregs) June 15, 2024
– Interesting stuff.
BREAKING: Former @cfmontreal attacking player @Sean_Rea10 is going back to the @CPLsoccer He will be joining @atletiOttawa for the rest of the season @sickpodcfmtl #CFMTL #CPL #ForOttawa #PourOttawa pic.twitter.com/NnTHXIqpWi
– Tony Marinaro (@TonyMarinaro) June 15, 2024
– To be continued.
It’s changing the look of the infield in Toronto today. https://t.co/8dTDav3aCN
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) June 15, 2024
– Speaking of media personalities and retirements.
His decision is independent of the NBA’s future on TNT. https://t.co/6xNCKb6Ega
– AlleyOop360 (@AlleyOop360) June 15, 2024