“Last week, a truly remarkable sight unfolded in Brossard, Quebec: nearly the entire Montreal Canadiens roster gathered on the ice for an impromptu training session. The occasion? A celebration of Nick Suzuki’s wedding, bringing the team together in Montreal and creating a unique opportunity for camaraderie and on-ice activity. The visuals were striking – a rare glimpse of the Canadiens players working together outside of the structured environment of the regular season.

But beneath the surface of this heartwarming scene lay a surprising and previously unknown rule. While the players were free to skate and practice, a peculiar restriction prevented a key element from being present: the coaching staff. It turns out, a little-known regulation from the NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman prohibits teams from holding practices or sending coaches onto the ice during the offseason. This unexpected limitation adds a fascinating layer to the story, raising questions about the league’s rules and the unusual circumstances that brought this impromptu gathering to life.”

Canadiens players in Brossard

Photo credit: Screenshot DLC

We experienced a rather unique situation with the Montreal Canadiens last week, live from Brossard.

Because of Nick Suzuki and Caitlin Suzuki’s wedding, which took place in Montreal, nearly all Canadiens players were in town – and almost all of them went out to train together on the ice in Brossard.

It made for some great visuals.

Let’s just say it was really special to see this happen in the middle of July.

That said, as Maxime Truman points out, even though the Montreal Canadiens paid for the ice time, the organization didn’t send a single staff member.

No coaches were spotted on the ice, and there’s a very specific reason for that.

Gary Bettman and the NHL Officially Prohibit Teams From Holding Practices or Sending Coaches on the Ice During the Offseason

It’s unusual, but that means Martin St-Louis wouldn’t have even been allowed to skate with his players last week.

It’s strictly prohibited.

That said, things have quieted down again this week – except for two players.

I didn’t know about this restriction, but it definitely explains a lot.

“To wrap it up, I was told that the Canadiens themselves paid for and reserved the ice time, but the club wasn’t allowed to send its regular coaches on the ice and couldn’t hold any scheduled/organized sessions either.

That’s prohibited by the collective bargaining agreement until training camp opens.”

– Maxime Truman

So we’ll have to wait until September to see any “real” practices from the Montreal Canadiens.