We all love Nick Suzuki. A great player, possibly a future captain for the Canadiens, and an overall nice guy. His generosity however, got a fan into trouble in what could only be described as an absolutely ridiculous story.
Of course, it happened in Toronto. Granted it could’ve happened in any city, but this only elevates the Habs-Leafs rivalry.
Nick Suzuki, in the middle of warmup, goes to the stands to visit with a kid and give him a stick and pose for pictures. Pretty special moment for that kid. pic.twitter.com/pJE6UX6wvF
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) April 9, 2022
Hunter was beyond stoked. His dad, Steven Beauparlent, brought him to the Air Canada Center to watch his favorite team, the Montreal Canadiens, face the Toronto Maple Leafs. He put his red jersey on, his Canadiens cap on, and even made a sign to attract Suzuki’s attention. It worked! Suzuki took notice and as we have seen him and Cole Caufield do many times, he flipped the puck into the stands towards Hunter.
Poor kid missed the puck and as a result got a busted lip. Suzuki felt awful and being the nice guy that he is, literally went up to Hunter, appologized, gave him a stick as an appology gift and took a picture with the kid still in shock at the injury.
#NickSuzuki #14ClassAct @CanadiensMTL
— Steven Beauparlant (@SBeaups4) April 10, 2022
Thanks Nick for taking a selfie & making sure Hunter was ok after he didn’t catch the puck you tossed him😂He loves the stick, puck autograph & Fat Lip😉A memory that will last a lifetime. Had to leave the game cause the stick wasn’t aloud🤣 pic.twitter.com/jtUoWRGxjM
The story should’ve ended there with Hunter and his dad enjoying the rest of the show. However, one Air Canada Center employee didn’t think that was going to happen.
The employee in question went up to Steven and asked them to leave the arena. Bewildered the he asked why and was told that the hockey stick in question is considered a weapon so they will have to leave the premises immediately. No if’s and’s or but’s. The father and son obliged to this ridiculous situation and left the arena without having to watch the game. They ended up going back to the hotel.
Thankfully, Steven laughed at the situation on Twitter as you can see above, but what a ridiculous thing to do to a child who just had both a scary and exciting situation all at once.
John Lu of TSN announced that the Montreal Canadiens will look into the situation.
#Habs are addressing this. https://t.co/ccNnGp8JWn
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNWpg) April 11, 2022
Hunter isn’t expected to miss any time due to the injury and will be back to playing with his friends immediately.
We’re sorry you missed the game, Hunter! Here’s hoping the Canadiens will right this wrong and allow you to see a game soon!

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