An Evening at the Bell Centre

Place Bell, on a Professional Women's Hockey League game night. La Victoire de Montréal 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, incredulous at this ritual they're discovering for the first time. For these eighty people, it's their very first hockey game.

All are immigrants welcomed by CARI Saint-Laurent. In the stands, journeys from around the world come together: some fled the war in Ukraine, others instability in Haiti, still others left China. Refugees, temporary workers, newcomers—they share in this moment the same discovery and the same fascination with 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 anything 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, caught up in the crowd's energy.

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

Beyond the sport, it's a gateway to the culture here. As a CARI staff member 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 unravel all the mysteries of the sport, but the essential was elsewhere: experiencing a moment of discovery together, and learning, for one evening, how 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