I first heard about this tradition when I read the book "100 Things Habs Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die". One of the 100 thing was to join a gang, this particular gang. It all started on the Hockey Inside Out message board, people were interacting on various Habs topics and one of the guys on there thought it would be great to meet the people he spent so much time chatting with. That's how Ian Cobb started the Habs Summit tradition. This year will be the 13th edition and everyone is invited.
It all kicks off on Friday night with a meet and greet at Hurley's Irish pub (1225 Cresent, Montreal) where the game against the Capitals will of course be screened. Then, on Saturday morning at 11:00 am sharp, La Cage Brasserie sportive of the Bell Centre will be holding what has come to be known as the main event: a charity raffle fundraiser. The concept is quite simple, each attendee shows up and brings a charity raffle gift to donate. Then, everyone buys raffle tickets and when your number is drawn, you go up to the table and you pick something amongst all the gifts that were brought. Usually, a Habs legend is in attendance and brings a couple of gifts. One year, Réjean Houle brought a team signed stick and a Andrew Shaw signed jersey. Last year, he brought a Shea Weber signed jersey and Dave Stubbs, a guest speaker, brought two very special hockey sticks. The Tampa Bay Lightning were in town and he told their coach about the summit and the fact that he was going to attend and wanted to bring something to raise funds. John Cooper immediately gave him a signed stick of his and asked his assistant captain, Victor Hedman, to do the same. While these weren't Habs items, they flew right off the table when the drawing started.
It's Habs Summit time in Montreal this weekend! Raising funds for the @CHCFondation for the 13th time this year! #GoHabsGo #CH #Habs #Canadiens pic.twitter.com/SyBn98X2LQ
— Karine Hains (@Pheebs888) November 14, 2019
After the charity raffle, at 2 pm, the group will also take in a Bell Centre tour and if you've never been, that's quite a fun thing to do. Of course, come 19:00 everyone will be in their seats at the Bell Centre cheering on the Habs as they take on the New Jersey Devils. It's too late now to get tickets to take in the game with the group, but if you are in Montreal on Saturday and you fancy attending the charity raffle, bring your donation and come on over at La Cage, I know I'll be there!
Quick notes about the team: -Claude Julien has confirmed that Carey Price will be manning the Habs net in Washington on Friday. This of course brings the question of who will be in net on Saturday at the Bell Centre, it's quite rare that Price misses one of those meetings... -Kotkaniemi has yet to receive the green light but Julien is hopeful that he will be playing a game this weekend. -Shea Weber is back at the team practice this morning. -Charles Hudon had himself a hat trick in a 4-3 Rocket loss last night. -No changes lines and duo wise:
Drouin - Danault - Gallagher Byron - Domi - Armia Tatar - Suzuki/Kotkaniemi - Lehkonen Cousins - Thompson - Weal
Chiarot - Weber Mete - Petry Kulak - Fleury Reilly - Folin
Price Kinkaid
#TBT to a coffee stop gone wrong for two Habs greats. 😅
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 14, 2019
Join us when we celebrate Guy Carbonneau's career on Nov. 20!
ðŸŽŸï¸ https://t.co/P29jqA3gbw#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/coi9tJdoHe