Youngsters and their idols

BROSSARD - Sporting a Canadiens jersey and hitting the ice at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard is an extraordinary experience for young hockey players.

Also having the opportunity to meet a few players along the way? Well, that really is the icing on the cake, and it's exactly what kids aplenty had the chance to do during the 11th edition of the Canadiens Hockey School, which wrapped up on Friday.
Max Pacioretty, Jonathan Drouin, Phillip Danault, Andrew Shaw and Paul Byron… the list of players that paid a visit is long. Needless to say, those precious moments left youngsters smiling for quite a long time.

"It's special, especially when they get on the ice with us. I feel so lucky. It isn't every day that you can experience that," admitted 12-year-old Eliot Lauzon, who came from Rouyn-Noranda to attend the camp.
At the Canadiens Hockey School, Lauzon skated alongside fellow campers from around the world, with participants hailing from Switzerland, France, the United States… and even from all around Quebec, including Natashquan! Forty campers were from that part of the country alone.
Canadiens players in attendance were taken back to a time when they were kids themselves, eager to learn the intricacies of the game.
"It's really fun to hit the ice with the kids. You really see how determined they are to improve. They're all big Canadiens fans, just like me when I was younger. When I see them arrive at the rink and put on their Canadiens jersey, it takes me right back," said goaltender Zachary Fucale, who was in between the pipes for a friendly shootout on Friday.

"Maybe they'll be in our shoes in a few years. You never know. Some of them already have good hands. We saw some good dekes," added Fucale.
Kids also made the most of the opportunity to ask players questions. Phillip Danault made a point of answering as many as possible.
"When I was a kid and I asked NHL players questions and they answered me, I got so excited! Being here, answering their questions and seeing them smile, it just brings me pure joy," mentioned the 24-year-old forward.

Campers didn't only learn tricks on the ice, though. They also were privy to baseball clinics with Derek Aucoin, football clinics with Steve Charbonneau, soccer clinics with members of the Montreal Impact and even cricket lessons, too!
"Off the ice, we did all kinds of sports to help make us complete players. I learned a lot about transferring my weight in baseball and I'll be able to apply that to my shot. It will improve it because if you don't transfer your weight, you won't have a good shot," stressed Lauzon, who played Pee-Wee A hockey last year.
"The goal of our hockey schools is for kids to have fun while being given the complete Montreal Canadiens experience, accompanied by members of our organization," explained Canadiens Youth Hockey Development Manager, Stephane Verret.
Mission accomplished!