Twenty-two-year-old Montreal Canadien Jonathan Drouin hasn’t even played a game with the team yet but he is already giving back to his new hockey home.
The Ste-Agathe-des-Monts native is donating $500,000 over 10 years to Montreal’s new CHUM hospital.
After signing the donation certificate and handing over the giant cheque, the shy but confident Drouin explained to reporters how he knew he wanted to make a big commitment in Montreal after being traded from Tampa Bay.
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“We are privileged as hockey players and when you see a kid who is having a bad day, it is nice for us to be able to put a smile on their face,” Drouin said.
Canadiens legend Serge Savard was on hand to support Drouin and the CHUM. So too was a very proud Habs captain, Max Pacioretty, who said he didn’t hesitate when Drouin asked him to come to the event.
“He’s a special kid,” Pacioretty said. “At that age, to understand what’s important in life and to already contribute to the city, it is really, really impressive. He’s doing this for the right reasons.”
Drouin also pledged to help raise an additional $5 million through various charity events for the hospital.