Lucky to meet Nicolas Deslauriers

Nicolas Deslauriers, forward for the Montreal Canadiens, shared some wonderful moments with students in the Huntingdon Adult Education and Community Centre's Social Integration Service last Tuesday at the Complexe sportif Bell in Brossard. The hockey player, who grew up in Cazaville in the Saint-Anicet municipality, met with students from HAECC, part of the New Frontiers School Board, at the end of the Habs training session. The right winger's sister, Jessica Deslauriers, student supervisor with the seven adults living with an intellectual impairment, organized the meeting with her brother. For the people involved, this was a chance to talk hockey with one of their idols. "These students in social integration know all about hockey. They often come to talk to me about the latest Canadiens game and everything to do with the team," said Daryl Ness, Director of the Adult Education Centre located on rue York in Huntingdon. The members of the "Sunshine Group" enjoyed the experience with their teacher, Tiffany Dickie. Their favourite player returned to the game on October 20 against the Senators in Ottawa. He had missed the first six games with the Canadiens due to a facial facture from a fight with Brandon Baddock of the New Jersey Devils during a pre-season game. Deslauriers has had to wear a mask since returning and he should be able to play without it within a week. Nicolas Deslauriers and his family would like to thank the hundreds of supporters who sent messages of encouragement by email and other social media during his convalescence, and to former players with the Grenadiers de Châteauguay midget AAA. (Translated by Cathleen Johnston)