In the high-stakes world of professional hockey, where every save and every slip is scrutinized by thousands, the true character of a player often remains hidden behind the roar of the crowd and the glare of the spotlight. For Samuel Montembeault, the Montreal Canadiens’ goalie, this season has been anything but ordinary. With the pressure mounting from all directions, Montembeault has found himself at the center of attention—sometimes celebrated, sometimes criticized, and sometimes simply misunderstood.

It’s easy to judge an athlete by their performance on the ice. Wins and losses, goals and saves—these are the statistics that fill headlines and fuel debates among fans and analysts. But what happens beyond the rink, away from the cameras and the comment threads? What kind of person is Samuel Montembeault when the mask comes off and the skates are put away? These are questions that often go unanswered, lost in the relentless pace of the NHL season.

Recently, Montembeault made a decision that surprised many: he deleted his Instagram account. For some, it was just another footnote in a turbulent season. For others, it was a sign that the pressure and negativity swirling around him had reached a breaking point. The reasons behind this choice remain largely unspoken, but the story doesn’t end there. In fact, it’s just beginning.

Journalist Anthony Martineau, known for his thoughtful and incisive reporting, decided to look beyond the headlines. He shared a story that offers a rare glimpse into the life of a player off the ice—a moment that speaks volumes about Montembeault’s character and his relationship with the fans. It happened on a quiet morning outside the Bell Centre, long before the puck dropped and the tension of game day took hold. Montembeault arrived in his car, greeted by a group of young fans hoping for a moment of connection with their hero.

What happened next was simple, but powerful. Instead of rushing inside or ignoring the crowd, Montembeault took his time, stepping out to sign autographs and share smiles with those who looked up to him. In an era where athletes often seem distant and untouchable, this gesture was a reminder of the humanity that exists beneath the uniform. Martineau captured the moment in a touching video, accompanied by words that cut through the noise: “While some enjoy spitting on him, Samuel Montembeault takes all the time he needs, on the morning of a game, to sign autographs. Respect.”

But the story doesn’t end with gratitude and admiration. Not everyone in Montreal’s passionate hockey community reacted positively. One fan, unable to separate the person from the player, lashed out with harsh criticism, questioning Montembeault’s worthiness and suggesting that his treatment would be different if he weren’t Québécois. Martineau’s response was swift and pointed, hinting at the deeper reasons behind Montembeault’s departure from social media.

As the season continues, Montembeault’s journey serves as a reminder of the immense pressure faced by those in the spotlight—and of the importance of looking beyond the stats to see the person behind the mask. What does it really mean to play for the Canadiens in a city where every move is watched, and every mistake magnified? This is a story worth exploring.

Canadiens goalie Samuel Montembeault

Photo credit: All Habs / NHL

Samuel Montembeault faces immense pressure, even as he shows remarkable generosity toward fans.

Montembeault has been talked about a lot since the beginning of the season, and not always for the right reasons.

Many have wondered why Montembeault deleted his Instagram a few weeks ago after a rough patch. In my opinion, it’s clear there’s more to the story than just on-ice performance.

This is where journalist Anthony Martineau helps show the other side. He shared a simple story that speaks volumes about Montembeault.

He wanted to show who Samuel Montembeault really is, away from the noise and criticism. Indeed, Martineau posted a touching video.

In it, Montembeault is seen stopping his car upon arriving at the Bell Centre to sign autographs for young fans.

Martineau wrote this:

“While some enjoy spitting on him, Samuel Montembeault takes all the time he needs, on the morning of a game, to sign autographs.

Respect.”

– Anthony Martineau

A true story about Samuel Montembeault and Montreal Canadiens fans

But not everyone reacted positively…

One fan directly attacked the goalie by talking about his season. He wrote that he deserved the criticism and that another non-Québécois player would never be defended so much.

Martineau replied with a clear sentence:

“That must be why he deleted his Instagram account, yeah.

You can bury your head in the sand if you feel like it.” – Martineau

It’s clear the pressure on him is immense, with comments coming from all sides. Social media in Montreal can be especially harsh.

We often forget that these are human beings who also go through difficult moments.