Montreal boy gets a big surprise from his favourite Habs players

MOntreal pre-teen Anthony Hodhod got a trip to Dallas to watch the Canadiens play and met star Nick Suzuki and coach Martin St-Louis.

It’s not every day you get your very own custom Habs jersey and meet your favourite player.

“We saw Martin St. Louis and Nick Suzuki,” Anthony Hodhod explains.

The pre-teen was recently surprised by the Air Canada Foundation with a trip to Dallas to watch the Montreal Canadiens play, and a one-on-one meeting with the Habs captain and coach.

The excitement didn’t end there. Hodhod ‘s mom, Antonietta Marzilli, says the family enjoyed every minute of the experience, “It was just one surprise after another. And that was like a really amazing day.”

Suzuki and St. Louis left quite the impression. “Just amazing, so, so personable... We were happy.”

The surprise was very exciting for Hodhod who is fairly new to playing hockey himself. He’s been working on his skills for the past two years, at Avalanche Kidz. Founder and head coach, Linda Matteo says the program is unique.

“Avalanche Kids is a special needs hockey program, develops children’s motor skills on the ice. We teach them how to skate. We teach them how to get hockey ready. We get them to the point where they can potentially join a minor league hockey.”

The program is adapted for children like Hodhod who are neurodivergent. Matteo says they’ve adapted their coaching style.

“We are an organization that doesn’t use whistles. We do not shout.”

The goal is for everyone to feel welcome on the ice she says.

“A diagnosis should not be the reason for you to stop your child from doing something... Let them explore”

Hodhod ‘s mother says she sees her son is thriving. “He feels good when he’s there. We feel good. We feel like we’re part of something bigger.”

Avalanche Kidz is run entirely by volunteers like coach John Panetta.

“Anthony is a natural athlete and he is so coachable... When Anthony did get a chance to meet with Suzuki in particular, he was interested in power plays, and he was interested in the patterns and how they work,” he says.

Marzilli says that curiosity and passion are partly because of the hockey program.

“He’s always loved playing sports and really good with his teammates. But now I find his maturity... He’s getting a little bit more mature and knowing like I’m part of a real team.”

Matteo is impressed with Anthony and is glad the see him improving,

“He’s just a phenomenal person with a good soul. And I think that he’s very deserving of everything he’s getting so far.”