Quebec 'language police' urging Montreal Canadiens fans to cheer in French
Go Habs Go?
En français, s’il vous plaît.
The Office Québécois de la Langue Française (OQLF), known to some as Quebec’s “language police,” is urging fans to cheer on the Montreal Canadiens in French. They even published a French vocabulary list of over 70 hockey terms on their website.
The Canadiens are up 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Final, following a Game 1 upset over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Prior to puck drop, the OQLF put out a statement on social media.
“Facing the Hurricanes, let’s cheer on our team in the language of Maurice Richard,” the OQLF said, translated from French of course.
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In the comments section, the OQLF clarified that it does not oppose the “Go Habs Go” chant, on the grounds that it is rooted in history and is part of the Quebec identity.
No word yet where it stands on “Olé, Olé, Olé,” which has Spanish roots.
The language police will be happy to know that the bilingual version of the Canadian national anthem was sung in Carolina before Game 1. It was a classy touch by the Hurricanes.
Hymne national canadien en FRANÇAIS en Caroline.👏👏👏❤️ pic.twitter.com/RgT8XI1NVK
— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) May 22, 2026
As the last Canadian team standing, many hockey fans north of the border have hopped on the Habs bandwagon this spring — though not everyone agrees with them being called “Canada’s team.” The Stanley Cup has not been won by a team from Canada since 1993, when the Canadiens beat Wayne Gretzky’s Los Angeles Kings for the championship.