Veteran sports journalist Machabée joins Canadiens as communications VP

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens announced Wednesday that veteran sports journalist Chantal Machabée is the team’s new vice president, communications.

Machabée, a native of Laval, Que., has spent the last 32 years at Réseau des sports (RDS) as a reporter, covering the Canadiens and other Quebec-based sports.

The Canadiens said Machabée will be responsible for managing all communications for the hockey operations department.

Machabée became the first woman to anchor a daily sports newscast in Quebec when she co-hosted the inaugural episode of Sports 30 on RDS on Sept. 1, 1989.

“Watching Guy Lafleur play inspired me to become a sports journalist,” Machabée said in a statement. “His talent and charisma fostered my immense passion for hockey. I had the privilege of spending more than 38 years in the business, including more than 32 years at RDS, and I am extremely grateful for the experience.

“A new chapter is beginning for me, and it is with great enthusiasm that I accept this new challenge.”

Paul Wilson, Montreal’s former senior vice president of public affairs and communications, was fired along with general manager Marc Bergevin and assistant GM Trevor Timmins on Nov. 28.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2022.