How will the trade affect P.K. Subban's $10M pledge to the Children's Hospital?
Star defenceman shipped to Nashville leaves behind a legacy extending far beyond the ice
The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation says P.K. Subban will "continue to honour his commitment" to the health-care facility, where he spent hours with sick kids and pledged to raise $10 million.
Subban endeared himself to the city with his historic pledge last fall, described by the health-care facility at the time as "the biggest philanthropic commitment by a sports figure in Canadian history."
It could be a little more difficult to honour, however, now that he will be based in Nashville, nearly 1,800 kilometres away.
- Subban trade is a knife to the heart of Habs fans
- P.K. Subban commits to raising $10M to Montreal Children's Hospital
In a statement released this morning, the foundation said its members were "saddened to learn yesterday that our favourite hockey player" had been traded to Nashville.
Obviously, I look forward to continuing to work in Montreal with the hospital and helping that community.- P.K. Subban
"However, we are grateful that P.K. will continue to honour his commitment to our patients and their families," the statement said.
"We look forward to continuing to work together with P.K. to support our hospital's most vulnerable families and are very proud to be part of the legacy he has built here in Montreal."
In a video posted to Twitter after the trade, Subban said he would still be involved with the hospital despite the trade.
"Obviously, I look forward to continuing to work in Montreal with the hospital and helping that community," Subban said.
"Thank you guys so much. I love you guys, merci beaucoup."
Neither Subban nor the statement from the hospital specifically mentioned the financial commitment to the hospital.
Subban has organized numerous events to raise money for the hospital over the past, including jersey signings, a pajama party on Christmas Eve and a Just for Laughs gala scheduled for next month.
According to his website, Subban has so far succeeded in raising 10 per cent of the $10-million target over seven years.
In an interview, Marie-Josée Gariépy, president of the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, said she hasn't yet spoken with Subban, who is on vacation in Europe, but that she already spoken with his sister, who is heading Subban's foundation.
- Why P.K. Subban became one of Montreal's most beloved adopted sons
- A closer look at the man traded for P.K. Subban
"As you heard yesterday, P.K. is fully committed to honour his pledge to the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, so we are very, very grateful," she told CBC Montreal's Daybreak.
At the hospital on Thursday, staff and patients were still coming to terms with the trade.
Teenager Adrien Colas said he's been talking about the trade with his friends ever since the news broke.
"His name is literally around everywhere," he said of the new facility, which opened last year.
"Like, we just saw his name and we were like, 'oh, P.K.'!"
Dr. Mel Schloss also said he's reeling from the news.
"I thought he had settled here in Montreal and he was going to be here for a long, long time," he said.
with files from Kate McGillivray