Rafaël Harvey-Pinard scores in the fight against cancer

MONTREAL - Rafaël Harvey-Pinard added more hardware to his trophy collection on Saturday.

In addition to his junior hockey league accolades - which include the 2019 Memorial Cup and Gilles-Courteau Trophy, among others - the Habs forward helped lead Kevin Raphael's team to victory at the 2023 Classique KR8 at the Centre d'excellence Sports Rousseau in Boisbriand.

It was his second win and third appearance at the charity event organized by Raphael which raised a record amount of $60,000 for Leucan. The Canadiens have held a long-standing partnership with the association, which supports cancer-stricken children and their families, for the annual Hockey Fights Cancer initiative.

Harvey-Pinard, an assistant captain for Team Raphael, was among 97 athletes and artists who took part in the Classique.

The charity event showcased a women's hockey game featuring current pros and alum like 2023 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Caroline Ouellette, a four-on-four challenge between two teams each led by Canadiens prospect Joshua Roy and retired Hab Georges Laraque, a breakaway rumble, and the marquee game between Raphael and San Jose Sharks forward Anthony Duclair's respective squads.

Defenseman Nicolas Beaudin, who recently signed a new one-year, two-way deal with Montreal, was also a member of the winning team.

Harvey-Pinard scored a goal en route to a 9-8 win in front of 1,400 spectators, another record for the event.

As expected, the Canadiens' seventh-round pick (201st-overall) in 2019 met with many adoring fans in the stands, and he even took the time to say hi to those who couldn't make it out to the showcase.

On top of contributing to his team's success, RHP made sure to pass along some shootout tips to Raphael who was less than convinced by the 24-year-old's advice.

One thing is certain: Harvey-Pinard should probably stick to the moves that led to 14 goals in 34 games last season.

Cover photo: Biglauphotographie