After Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault left Friday’s playoff home game against the Washington Capitals with an injury, Montreal police (SPVM) officer Patrick Chevrefils got the call of a lifetime to suit up for the Habs.
“It was insane. Even when I saw it happen, I didn’t think I was going to get the call. I was telling myself, ‘Listen, it’s the playoffs. Montembeault is going to tough it out. We’ve seen it so many times,’” Chevrefils said. “And when I got that call, I was like, ‘Okay, alright, it’s time to go.’”
The LaSalle-based SPVM officer has been an emergency backup goaltender (EBUG) for the Canadiens for about three years and attends all 41 regular season home games. However, he was home when he got the call on Friday night.
“When I showed up in the room, I saw there was already a jersey with my name on it of the Montreal Canadiens, which is like, I never allowed myself to even buy a Montreal jersey with my name. I told myself that the only reason why I want to see my name in the back of the Montreal jersey is if I really deserve it,” he explained.
The EBUG had previously suited up for the Florida Panthers, but never for the bleu-blanc-rouge – and definitely not for a playoff game.
After getting dressed, the lifelong Canadiens fan got to sit on the bench with the rest of the team. He added that he hopes he will get to keep the jersey with his name on the back once the playoffs are over.
And although Chevrefils didn’t get on the ice, he got to experience a dream come true.
“I put [the jersey] on and I had the little moment where I was like, ‘Okay, I’m officially part of the history of my favorite team.’”
With files from Olivia O’Malley
