BREAKING NEWS: Canadiens’ Key Man Samuel Montembeault Dismissed After Altercation with Head Coach Martin St. Louis
Montreal, QC – February 12, 2025 – In a shocking turn of events, the Montreal Canadiens have dismissed goaltender Samuel Montembeault following an altercation with head coach Martin St. Louis after their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Sources close to the team indicate that tensions boiled over in the locker room after Montreal’s 5-3 loss to Tampa Bay. Witnesses report that Montembeault, frustrated with the team’s performance and possibly his own role in the defeat, confronted St. Louis in a heated exchange. The argument escalated, leading to a physical altercation in which Montembeault allegedly struck the Canadiens’ head coach.
Following the incident, team management acted swiftly, announcing Montembeault’s dismissal early Tuesday morning. Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes issued a brief statement addressing the situation:
“The Montreal Canadiens hold our players and staff to the highest professional standards. Following an internal review, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with Samuel Montembeault, effective immediately. We thank him for his contributions to the team and wish him the best moving forward.”
Montembeault, 27, had been a cornerstone of the Canadiens’ goaltending unit this season, providing key performances and often keeping the team in games with his stellar play. He had recently signed a three-year contract extension, making this abrupt dismissal even more surprising.
As the Canadiens now face the challenge of finding a reliable replacement in net, speculation is already swirling about who will step up in Montembeault’s absence. Backup goaltenders Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau may see increased roles, or the team could explore trade or free-agent options.
Meanwhile, neither Montembeault nor his representatives have commented on the incident. Head coach Martin St. Louis is expected to address the media later today.
This developing story is sure to send shockwaves through the hockey world as more details emerge.
