An Evening at the Centre Bell

Place Bell, on a Professional Women's Hockey League game night. The Montreal Victoire takes the lead, the atmosphere heats up, and the wave gets going: section after section, fans rise in unison. In the middle of the crowd, a handful of spectators remain seated, in disbelief at this ritual they're discovering for the first time. For these eighty people, it's their very first hockey game ever.

All are newcomers welcomed by CARI Saint-Laurent. In the stands, journeys from around the world come together: some have fled war in Ukraine, others instability in Haiti, still others have left China. Refugees, temporary workers, newly arrived immigrants—they share in this moment the same discovery and the same fascination for a sport and customs that are foreign to them.

For many, everything must be learned, right down to the rules of the game. Should they cheer for the players in white or burgundy? The question arises for some spectators, without taking away from the evening's enjoyment. Between periods, to the sound of music, several don't hesitate to dance, to tap their feet and clap their hands, swept up in the crowd's energy.

The initiative is part of CARI Saint-Laurent's integration work. Before the game, an information session was offered to participants to explain the basics of hockey and the league. Interest far exceeded expectations: around one hundred and fifty people had expressed a wish to attend the game, a sign that the organization had hit the mark in proposing this outing.

Beyond the sport, it's a gateway to local culture. As one CARI worker points out, these people can now say they've seen a hockey game, and participate a little more in a conversation that's part of everyday life in Quebec. One game won't be enough to unlock all the mysteries of the sport, but the essential was elsewhere: experiencing a moment of discovery together, and learning, for one evening, to do the wave.

Original article: La Presse, "Le hockey, pour la première fois" (March 30, 2026) https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/hockey/2026-03-30/apprendre-a-faire-la-vague/le-hockey-pour-la-premiere-fois_1.php