From my seat in the press box, high above the ice last week at the Bell Centre, I had a warm feeling in my heart, when the Montreal Canadiens presented their annual Hockey For Cancer Awareness Night in conjunction with Leucan. For over 45 years, that organization has been dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families.

It was a thrill of a lifetime for the kids chosen to participate. A case in point is Bruce Walker, an 11-year-old NDG resident. Last summer he was diagnosed with Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many granulocytes (a type of white blood cells). His treatment has gone very well thus far, mom Chloé Fontaione-Lavoie told me.

The Montreal Canadiens Foundation was behind this class act. Prior to the game the kids were each given backpacks and pink tuques from the players’ spouses. Each family was hosted in a corporate private box. Bruce and his mom were greeted by the team from Courchesne Larose, a produce wholesaler. Some of the youngsters went on the ice before the opening faceoff, escorted to the blueline by Habs and Utah Mammoth players. Not only did Bruce get to ride on the Zamboni between the first and second periods, a Courchesne Larose representative brought him a Nick Suzuki sweater valued at $300. After the game, a bigger surprise was waiting. The families were invited to the Salon Jacques Beauchamp where most of the players, including Suzuki, showed up wearing pink hoodies. They signed autographs, posed for photos and engaged in banter. “I must confess, Bruce was not the biggest hockey fan before that night,” Chloé said. “But he sure is now. It was an unforgettable experience. Leucan has been there for us since he was first diagnosed. They have been great!”

Leucan, in collaboration with the Habs, has also announced The Great Leucan Faceoff·. By organizing a fundraising activity or event in support of Leucan before March 15, 2026, participating teams will directly help families affected by pediatric cancer—while getting a chance to win exclusive prizes. The team that raises the most funds for the cause will win a private hockey clinic at the Bell Centre led by former Hab Paul Byron, an exclusive guided tour of the Bell Centre and official team merchandise

CATCHING UP WITH BARTLETT: Before the Habs-Mammoth game I spent some time with Hockey Night in Canada’s John Bartlett, who made his NHL play-by-play career debut with the then TEAM 990 Radio (now TSN 690) for the 2010-11 season. Please go to the On Air video section on our website and Cohen in the City to see the interview. What a classy guy!

THE REBUILD: Have you seen season two of the fabulous Crave TV series The Rebuild: Inside the Montreal Canadiens? Produced by Groupe Fair-Play. it is now streaming and follows the Habs throughout the 2024-25 season, from hitting the bottom of the standings to rising to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The unprecedented access to players, coaches, and executives is any hockey fan’s dream. I spoke with producer Karine Proulx last week, who told me she is very hopeful a season three will be greenlit. TSN 690’s Mitch Gallo informed me he has already done some filming in the event it is renewed. While I am privileged to gain press box and dressing room access on occasion, if you watch this show you will feel like a member of the media as well. See my blog for more of a recap of the series.