Montreal

Montreal Canadiens fan takes out full page ad to express 'anger' over Subban trade

In a full page newspaper ad, a Montreal Canadiens season ticket holder says the trade that sent P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber has changed the way they feel about the team.

'You are an amazing and influential role model for my children,' letter writer tells star defenceman

A Habs fan took out a full-page ad in Thursday's Montreal Gazette. (CBC)

A disgruntled Montreal Canadiens season ticket holder says they will only be attending one game this season — when the Habs take on P.K. Subban's new team.

In a full page newspaper ad, which costs roughly $20,000, the self-described "lifelong fan" said the trade that sent Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber this summer has changed the way they feel about the team.

"Now, I feel anger, disappointment and embarrassment over the treatment of P.K. Subban by team management: the same sentiments that many felt after the Patrick Roy trade," reads the ad posted in Thursday's Montreal Gazette, signed by "Dr. CK and Family."

"You are an amazing and influential role model for my children and I am going to miss not having you as a Montreal Canadien."

P.K. Subban will be skating with the Nashville Predators this year. (Mark Humphrey/The Associated Press)
The ad is a signal that, despite an optimism surrounding the Canadiens as they prepare to start the season tonight in Buffalo, some fans still haven't gotten over the decision to ship out the popular defenceman, who committed to raising $10 million for the Montreal Children's Hospital.

In an interview with CBC News, Dr. Charles Kowalski, the man behind the letter, said it wasn't just about losing Subban.

​"I think the loss of P.K. Subban from Montreal, the bigger issue than hockey is the loss of his presence in the city of Montreal and his cause of raising money for the Children's Hospital," Kowalski said. "This is more important than the game of hockey."

Because of the trade, Kowalski said he cannot support general manager Marc Bergevin and coach Michel Therrien, and that going to Habs games would be a vote of confidence in their leadership.

There's no mention of what will happen to the unused tickets.

Donald Beauchamp, a spokesperson for the team, told CBC News that "we have very passionate fans, and everyone is entitled to their opinion."