Habs spread joy at Montreal hospitals 

MONTREAL – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: the temperature is dropping, the city is covered in snow, and the Canadiens were back in the community for the team’s annual holiday hospital visits.

Three Montreal-area hospitals – CHU Sainte-Justine, the Montreal Children’s Hospital, and Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada – saw the Habs split up into groups on Tuesday to share Yuletide cheer. Nearly 400 kids received visits from the players, who delivered gifts, hung out with parents, and even decorated Christmas cookies virtually with one group of patients.

“It’s special. I mean, you never really get a chance to go do that on a normal day, so, the least we can do is go and give back to these kids around Christmas time,” underlined defenseman Kaiden Guhle, who was participating in his second edition of the event. “We know they're going through a lot, and again, it’s the least we can do to put a smile on their faces. Christmas is supposed to be a happy time, so whatever we can do to kind of take their minds off and think some happy thoughts for a day is special. We’re very lucky and grateful that we get to go do that today.”

**PHOTOS: Habs hospital visits**

The Canadiens’ tradition of annual hospital visits has been ongoing for over 50 years since Jean Béliveau first started it, and it’s always a highlight on a busy December schedule. The Habs donned their practice jerseys in Brossard in the morning before swapping them for Santa hats in the afternoon on a Tuesday between game days.

“I think that’s just how it is, as a professional athlete, especially here in Montreal. It’s an opportunity, but it’s also – how can I say this – a duty,” explained head coach Martin St-Louis, who this year visited kids at the Children’s. “It’s our duty to be able to give our time to those living through a difficult situation and to lift their spirits.”