By Canadian Press

Jay Baruchel on the Habs and his new sports documentary ‘Celtic Soul’

Nov 23, 2016 | 8:45 AM

TORONTO — Jay Baruchel is probably among the most ardent Montreal Canadiens fans out there.

The Montreal-raised comedy star says nearly everything in his home has the Habs logo on it, from a panini press to underwear and a wallet.

His passion hits a fever pitch when discussing the Habs’ trade of star player P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Shea Weber in June.

“I am vehemently against it,” the actor-filmmaker said in a recent interview. “I think the Habs picked management over a player once again and they have a history of doing that.”

It’s nothing against Weber, who “is an incredible hockey player,” he added.

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“But I think P.K. Subban was one of the two faces of our franchise going forward,” added Baruchel, director and co-writer of the upcoming hockey film “Goon: Last of the Enforcers.”

“I think his best years are still obviously to come. I think he did pledge his life to that jersey and that city.”

Sports fandom is akin to religion, Baruchel explains in his new documentary “Celtic Soul,” which opens Friday at Toronto’s Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema.

Michael McNamara wrote and directed the film, which follows Baruchel and Irish sports broadcaster Eoin O’Callaghan on a road trip from Montreal to Ireland and then Scotland to watch another team they love — Celtic Football Club in Glasgow.

The two learn the history of both teams and their similarities, from their strong connections to the Catholic Church and their reputations for drawing in a diverse range of superfans.

“Celtic, its origin story, is about being open-minded to everybody,” said O’Callaghan, who recently moved to Toronto and lived in Winnipeg for two years hosting “Fox Soccer Report.”

“It obviously has big links with Roman Catholics in the city and beyond that, but from the very first steps of the club it was open to all — and not every club was like that.”

“The other thing about those clubs,” added Baruchel, “is that there’s not a part of the world where there isn’t a Celtic fan or a Habs fan.

“You can’t say that about every sports team.”

Both teams also carry a special prestige, they noted.

“Some sports teams are just sports teams,” said Baruchel. “I’m going to piss off a lot of people on the West Coast but what the hell do the Canucks represent? Honestly. And I don’t mean to take away from people that are dear Canucks fans. That’s their team.

“But … some teams mean more and the Habs, for better and for worse, is much more than a hockey team. There are political, historical, linguistic, cultural, religious … implications that are involved in it and Celtic is (the same).”

Celtic also rewards fans with many wins.

“Twenty-eight games a year are pretty much locks,” said Baruchel. 

Meanwhile, the Habs are currently first overall in the league — for now.

“We’re doing OK except for any time Carey Price isn’t in net,” said Baruchel. “We get outshot in every single game we win and so that’s going to catch up with us. And if Carey gets a cold in the springtime then we’re screwed.

“I’m sure Michel Therrien is a nice man to hang out with but I don’t think he should be coaching my favourite team anymore.”

Baruchel said he’s just as big a Celtic fan as he is of the Habs, and feels a strong connection to the club given his mother’s Irish and Catholic background.

The immigrant saga and connecting to one’s roots through sports is a major theme of the film, said Baruchel.

“It’s something to be proud of and cherish,” he said. “I think there are people in the country directly south of us who could do with remembering that their grandparents all came from somewhere else.”

Victoria Ahearn, The Canadian Press