Canadiens players to financially help employees impacted by shutdown

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher, center, celebrates with left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) and centre Phillip Danault after scoring against the New York Islanders. (Kathy Willens/AP)

Players from the Montreal Canadiens are stepping up to further help team and arena staff impacted by the loss of games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Canadiens announced Sunday they would pay employees eligible for employee insurance the maximum amount allowed (approximately 40 per cent) and employees ineligible for employee insurance 75 per cent of the salary for the 12 home games remaining between the Canadiens and AHL’s Laval Rocket. The Canadiens have over 1,200 game-day employees

Monday’s announcement will see Canadiens players cover the remaining difference in pay.

“Our industry is going through a difficult time right now and our employees are being hit especially hard by recent events. The Montreal Canadiens and Laval Rocket are deploying the means necessary to reduce the impact of this unique situation on our employees, whom I wish to sincerely thank for their collaboration and understanding,” Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said in a statement Sunday.

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