Nick Suzuki receives the 2023 Sakura Award

The Habs captain was honored by the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto

cms-canadian-japanese-cultural-centre-nick-suzuki-sakura-award
By Florence Labelle, translated by Steven Nechay @CanadiensMTL / canadiens.com

MONTREAL - Nick Suzuki was honored for his contributions to the promotion of Japanese culture within Canada and abroad during a gala at the Canadian Cultural Center in Toronto on Saturday. The Habs captain is a fifth-generation Japanese Canadian.

SHOP: New Era cap designed by Nick Suzuki

Suzuki, former CFLer Bill Hatanaka, and three-time Olympic medalist Vicky Sunohara received the 2023 Sakura Award for "break[ing] down barriers and creat[ing] a great sense of pride within the community," underlined James Heron, the JCCC's executive director.

The Sakura Award has been presented since 2009 to celebrate Japanese culture and Japanese Canadian heritage.

Suzuki's mother Amanda was present for the ceremony alongside family.

"[Nick] is already an inspiration to a new generation of young Japanese Canadians and he will no doubt inspire and guide a new generation of Canadian athletes," added Heron.

Cover photo credit: Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre

News Feed

Lines and defense pairings at practice – Nov. 4

Cole Caufield earns Molson Cup honor for October 

MTL@PIT: Game recap

MTL@PIT: What you need to know

Updates from practice – Nov. 1

MTL@WSH: Game recap

Lines and defense pairings at morning skate – Oct. 31

MTL@WSH: What you need to know

Logan Mailloux loaned to Laval Rocket

Updates from practice – Oct. 30 

SEA@MTL: Game recap 

Lines and defense pairings at morning skate – Oct. 29

SEA@MTL: What you need to know

Celebrate Halloween early with the Habs on Tuesday

Lucas Condotta loaned to Laval Rocket

MTL@PHI: Game recap

MTL@PHI: What you need to know

Updates from morning skate – Oct. 26