Canadiens Spread Cheer In Visit To Montreal Children’s Hospital

The Montreal Canadiens held a brief practice on Tuesday morning following their win against the Seattle Kraken.

It was for a very good reason, one that goes beyond the games played at the Bell Centre.

Today was the team’s annual visit to the Montreal Children’s Hospital, a tradition the Canadiens put in place to spread some holiday cheer with the patients and their families. Due to the pandemic, the last few years have involved a virtual visit, but this season the team made their way to the hospital itself.

We often discuss the impact these players have on the ice, but when it comes down to it, using their borderline heroic status to put a smile on a young child’s face is one of the best ways they help the community.

Canadiens annual Christmas visit to Montreal Children’s Hospital is always a special day #Habs #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/j7evLekrVD

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) December 5, 2023

For these sick children, having an opportunity to speak to someone like Cole Caufield or Rafael Harvey-Pinard will almost assuredly become one of their most cherished memories.

It takes on a special meaning once the visit is over.

Every time they see Caufield score a goal, they’ll be reminded of the time he dropped by to say hello and lift their spirits. The same applies every time Sean Monahan makes a pass, or Mike Matheson skates through a bevy of defenders to score a highlight-reel goal.

It won’t just be their favourite team, the Montreal Canadiens, scoring a goal.

Rather, it’s now their friend scoring the goal.

L’impact que peut avoir un joueur du Canadien.

Quand on dit qu’une image vaut mille mots. pic.twitter.com/hmyOcEqCSp

— Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) December 5, 2023

We can easily lose sight of what matters most in professional sports.

Emotions run high, and there’s no doubt the energy created by fans in Montreal plays its part when it comes to the on-ice play of the Habs. It can be good, and oftentimes, the crowd is the sixth skater on the ice. Other times, that pressure leads to a different avenue.

But in this case, it’s more than just passionate fans cheering or jeering their favourite team.

It’s an opportunity for the players in question to understand exactly the type of impact they can make with fans who have gone through more than their fair share of adversity.