by Coach K, AllHabs.net

Photos by: Erika Vigneault

SAINT-LAZARE, QC — When we were introduced to the sport of hockey in the province of Quebec, we all dreamt of one day skating onto the ice at the Forum/Bell Centre and living out a dream. This past Saturday, for 40 kids (and families) from the Hudson, Rigaud, and Saint-Lazare area, that dream came true.

The ice was donated by our local grocer, who’s granddaughter plays on my Novice C team. The other two teams never saw this coming, but it was an experience they won’t soon forget.

Upon our arrival into the visitor’s dressing room, the kids were shocked to see their own individual nameplates above their stalls.Their dream was beginning to come true. Along with this, was a Habs’ gift bag, filled with mementos of this wonderful day.

While the kids got prepared, over 500 friends and family gathered in the stands to watch these aspiring youngsters live out the same fantasy they too had as children.

The ceremony began with the player introductions. While the house announcer introduced individually, a camera crew showed their faces on the giant scoreboard. As they came onto the ice, you could see through their face guards that every kid was mesmerized by the moment.

With both teams lined up at the blue lines, the national anthem was played. As is customary, the crowd sang along to the anthem as it was played. To top the ceremony off, our benefactor was presented with a jersey signed by all the players by none other than a former teammate of his, and Habs’ alumni, Mr. Rejean Houle.

Finally, the game began. These young seven and eight year olds were lost in the vastness of the Bell Centre’s ice surface. Every child was so anxious to get on the ice, keeping them under control was a daunting task, even with five coaches behind each bench.

The game moved along slowly but surely, goals were scored and sirens heard. A moment I will have etched in my mind forever will be when my eight year old daughter slid post to post in the butterfly to make a great save, not only to have the crowd roar in appreciation, but to have “The Price is Right” played for her over the speakers while a replay of her fantastic save was shown again on the scoreboard. It brought a smile to my lips, and a tear to my eye.

The game ended with the burgundy team beating the white team 4-3 in a shootout. But for everyone involved there were no losers. From little Angelique, who made it to the game just having had chemotherapy on the previous Tuesday, to Gabreil, who scored two goals on the same ice as Michael Cammalleri and Tomas Plekanec. From the parents in the crowd, who cheered like crazed lunatics, to the coaches behind the bench, who always give their time for more than just their own kids.

For one brief two hour window, we were ALL Montreal Canadiens!