Montreal Canadiens to build new practice facility

Canadiens
president Pierre Boivin and Executive Vice President and General Manager Bob
Gainey announced the construction of the Canadiens’ new practice facility
within a brand new sports complex to be built in

Brossard, at the intersection of highways 10
and 30.

The
increasing number of events booked by the Gillett Entertainment Group at the
Bell Centre made it essential for the team to have its own training facility.
The decision made by the organization follows a growing trend in professional
sports. In order to have the best possible facilities and maximize players’
training conditions, there is a proven need to have a training facility away
from their home ice.

“This new
practice centre demonstrates to our players and to all our fans that the Montreal
Canadiens are a modern and dynamic organization, determined to undertake all
the necessary measures to provide winning conditions,” said Pierre Boivin.
“This project, carried out with the collaboration of AXOR Inc. and the City of

Brossard will also allow all citizens of the city and
surrounding areas to take advantage of an exceptional facility for both hockey
and soccer, which are very popular sports among youth and adults in the

province of

Quebec.”

The sports
complex will have two ice surfaces built in accordance with National Hockey
League specifications, and whose features will be identical to those of the
Bell Centre rink. The rinks will be complete with a fully equipped players’
dressing room and other multi-purpose rooms. The Canadiens’ practice rink will
also accommodate up to 800 spectators.

The
facility will also feature a state-of-the-art training room outfitted with
modern equipment and clinical and treatment areas to provide players with a
high quality environment. Working areas will be available for members of the
media, including a press conference room and a working room, as well as an
observation balcony.

“With this
new training complex, the Canadiens will join the elite of professional sports
franchises and rank among the top NHL teams with regards to training
facilities. It will contribute to enhance the competitiveness of our team by
improving the players’ professional environment and raising the quality of our
practices, and our players’ conditioning will follow,” said Bob Gainey.
“Furthermore, this new centre dedicated to the Canadiens will help reinforce
the closeness and team spirit and bring the players even closer to our fans.”