Nick Suzuki made a very specific request to Martin St-Louis, and he accepted it

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Jeff Drouin
October 27, 2022 (3:41 PM)

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In the category of interesting facts, we have just learned that the captain of the Montreal Canadiens, Nick Suzuki, had made a special request to Martin St-Louis, last spring.

It came from him, but the vast majority of the players agreed with the idea.

What was the special request? Suzuki, and his teammates, wanted to practice at the Bell Centre on game days (and not in Brossard).

He had good arguments:

"I like the idea of being here in the morning, it pushes the other team back a little bit and it gives us a chance to be on our own ice. It's definitely not the same building as Brossard, so just being in this environment in the morning is important to us." - Nick Suzuki

It also allowed the players to adjust to things like the lighting as well as the boards, especially in the corner where the zamboni comes out. (which is more uneven)

It may not seem like a big deal, but it can make a difference for them.

"Suzuki and the others thought it was important to adjust more to the lighting, the boards - especially in the corner where the Zamboni comes out - and the equipment that is available to them." - Arpon Basu and Marc-Antoine Godin

Suzuki's request was accepted by Martin St. Louis, just before the season started, and it explains why the Montreal Canadiens now practice at the Bell Centre on game days.

A novelty that the players and the team's entourage appreciate very much.