February 20, 2026
The Montreal Canadiens held an outdoor practice today at Confederation Park in NDG
The Montreal Canadiens today held an outdoor practice in front of fans at Confederation Park in NDG, a rink that was built through the Canadiens’ Children’s Foundation.
The practice drew 350 students from Marc Favreau Elementary School, who cheered from the bleachers, as twenty-one players took part in the practice while Captain Nick Suzuki, Jaraj Slafkovsky, Oliver Kapannen and Alex Texier take part in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
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The event marked the 25th anniversary of the Canadiens’ Children’s Foundation and featured 21 players, including Alex Newhook, who practiced in a standard jersey for the first time since his fractured ankle in November 2025.
Patrick Laine was also participating as he continues to rehab a minor lower body injury and continues to work towards his return from an abdominal surgery that has sidelined him for the majority of the season thus far.
This event highlights the Foundation’s flagship initiative – the construction, donation, and activation of refrigerated outdoor rinks – while 25 years of commitment to youth and community across Quebec.
There were no ‘sticks in the middle’ for this edition of shinny, though. The Habs kept things businesslike, running through a full practice as they continue to ramp up the pace ahead of next Thursday’s return to game action.
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The outdoor session was part of the team’s preparation ahead of their return to game action, with a final practice scheduled for Saturday, February 21, at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard, followed by the skills competition at the Bell Centre on Sunday, February 22.
The Olympic break comes to an end this Sunday, when Canada and Nick Suzuki take on the Americans for Olympic gold.
