Montreal Canadiens president Pierre Boivin says something has to be done to develop young Quebecers into elite hockey players for the NHL.Montreal Canadiens president Pierre Boivin says something has to be done to develop young Quebecers into elite hockey players for the NHL. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

Quebec has a tough time developing its elite, young hockey players for the NHL and it's time to do something about it, says Montreal Canadiens president Pierre Boivin.

In a speech Thursday, Boivin suggested holding a symposium of Quebec's hockey minds, including members of the Canadiens' organization, to find solutions.

Boivin's remarks came days after the release of a controversial book by ex-NHL player Bob Sirois, who argues that systemic discrimination against French-Canadians still exists in the National Hockey League.

Sirois' book ignited an old debate over whether prejudice exists against French-Canadian hockey players, an argument that dates back to the 1955 Rocket Richard Riot.

Using statistics as his evidence, Sirois contends that NHL general managers don't regard French-Canadian players as highly as they do their anglophone peers.

Former Habs defenceman Patrice Brisebois agrees that francophone Quebecois haven't had it easy in the big league.

Brisebois predicts more discrimination

Brisebois, who played 18 seasons in the NHL, predicted Thursday the situation will get even worse over the next few years as hockey's popularity spreads through Europe.

He said the NHL will feature more and more players from overseas.

Brisebois hopes the NHL will one day return to Quebec City, so people in the province can reconnect with their national sport.

"Whether it's the junior ranks or the National Hockey League, it has never been easy for Quebecers," Brisebois said in Quebec City, where he was honoured in the provincial legislature for outstanding community service.

"You always have to prove that you're really, really good to make it."

Boivin also believes that a return of the NHL to Quebec City, which lost the Nordiques in 1995, would encourage more kids in the province to lace up.

He said the Habs have no problem with another NHL club in the province, pointing out that if Alberta can maintain two teams, so can Quebec.