While Team Canada was having a rough day at the Milano Cortina Olympics on Sunday, with a 2-1 overtime loss to the U.S. in the gold-medal men’s hockey game, the Canadiens were enjoying their annual skills competition at the Bell Centre. The event also featured players from the Montreal Victoire.
As Stu Cowan writes: “The event is always a lot of fun for the players, with wives and children joining them at the Bell Centre. It’s also a fun family day for Canadiens fans, many of whom probably can’t afford tickets to bring their kids to games at the Bell Centre.”
Lane Hutson won the fastest-skater event in the skills competition, while Arber Xhekaj won for hardest shot and Jake Evans won in shooting accuracy.

Phillip-Édouard Danault strikes a familiar pose as he and Hudson Matheson take shots on the net while their fathers compete in the Montreal Canadiens’ skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) holds his daughter Stella as he speaks to Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) and his daughter Everly during the team’s skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Phillip-Édouard Danault, left, and Hudson Matheson take shots on the net as their fathers compete in the Montreal Canadiens’ skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
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Phillip-Édouard Danault, left, and Hudson Matheson take shots on the net as their fathers compete in the Montreal Canadiens’ skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Montreal Canadiens centre Phillip Danault gives his daughter Adélia-Rose a skating tour of the rink during the team’s skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Montreal Victoire forward Dara Greig (17) and Victoire defender Nicole Gosling (61) compete in the obstacle course during the Montreal Canadiens’ skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson (48) and right wing Ivan Demidov (93) compete in the obstacle course during the team’s skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
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Montreal Canadiens centre Phillip Danault (24) and right wing Cole Caufield (13) share a laugh on the obstacle course during the team’s skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Danault went on to beat Caufield on the course.

Montreal Canadiens centre Phillip Danault competes in the obstacle course during the team’s skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Montreal Canadiens centre Phillip Danault encourages his son Phillip-Édouard as he competes in the speed trials during the team’s skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson coaches his son Hudson before competing in the speed trials during the team’s skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
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Montreal Canadiens right wing Zachary Bolduc competes in the speed trials during the team’s skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Montreal Canadiens centre Joe Veleno competes in the speed trials during the team’s skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) holds his daughter Stella as he joins teammates and members of the Montreal Victoire during a skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Montreal Canadiens centre Phillip Danault’s son Phillip-Édouard Danault puts the puck in the net during the warm-up for the Canadiens’ skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
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Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson’s daughter Mila reacts to her dad leaving the bench to take part in the team’s skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Montreal Canadiens centre Phillip Danault speaks with his son Phillip-Édouard during the team’s skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson competes in the obstacle course during the Canadiens’ skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22, 2026.