The cameras were rolling, the microphones poised, and the mood inside the press room was expectant—until Martin St-Louis walked in and everything changed. The Montreal Canadiens head coach didn’t speak about hockey, strategy, or the dramatic win over the Edmonton Oilers. Instead, he paused, visibly shaken, and delivered a message that silenced the room and reached far beyond the world of sports.

Before a single question could be asked, St-Louis held up a hand, his voice trembling with emotion. “My son goes to Brown University,” he began, the words heavy with personal gravity. “He’s a senior. He was at campus yesterday. So he was sheltering during last night’s game. It’s a tragedy, it hit home.” The silence that followed was palpable, each person present suddenly aware that this press conference would be unlike any other.

For a few moments, the lines between coach and father, between public figure and private citizen, blurred completely. St-Louis’s heartbreak was raw, his concern for his son and the Brown University community etched across his face. The tragedy that had unfolded on campus hours earlier was no longer just a headline—it was a reality that had struck at the very core of the Canadiens’ leader and, by extension, everyone in the room.

He continued, sending thoughts and prayers to the students, families, and community affected by the shocking event. “Stuff like that shouldn’t happen,” he said, his voice cracking. “He’s safe, he’s back home. It was a difficult time for everyone.” In that moment, hockey seemed secondary, and the true weight of the evening settled over the press corps.

The emotional gravity of St-Louis’s words lingered, leaving reporters and fans alike searching for the right response. Social media lit up with messages of support, not just for the coach but for all those touched by the tragedy at Brown. The video of St-Louis’s statement quickly circulated, drawing praise for his courage and empathy in the face of unimaginable fear.

What makes this moment so unforgettable is not just the vulnerability of a respected NHL coach, but the reminder that behind every game, every win and loss, are lives connected to larger stories. St-Louis’s willingness to set aside hockey and speak from the heart created a rare and powerful connection—a shared sense of humanity that transcends competition.

As the Canadiens celebrated a hard-fought victory, their coach’s somber words cast a shadow, prompting reflection and compassion. The tragedy at Brown University was a stark reminder of the unpredictability and fragility of life, and St-Louis’s response was an example of leadership at its most genuine.

The full details of what happened at Brown remain to be seen, and questions linger about how the community will heal. But one thing is clear: Martin St-Louis’s emotional press conference will be remembered not for the score on the ice, but for the courage it took to speak about what truly matters. In a world often focused on stats and headlines, moments like this remind us that empathy and solidarity are the greatest victories of all.

Photo of Martin St-Louis

Photo credit: Canadiens

The head coach of the Montreal Canadiens made an emotional statement at the beginning of his press conference.

Before even agreeing to answer a single question, Martin St-Louis stopped everything to speak about what happened at Brown University in the past few hours, while mentioning that his son is safe.

Shaken, but safe.

That is how the Montreal Canadiens head coach’s press conference began, following the win against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.

Martin St-Louis stops everything to comment on the tragedy that occurred at Brown University at the start of the press conference

Our hearts are with them.

Martin St louis starts his presser speaking about the Brown university which his son attends and sends his thoughts and prayers to all the families affected by the tragedy.

“My son goes to Brown University. He’s a senior. He was at campus yesterday. So he was sheltering during last night’s game. It’s a tragedy, it hit home. I want to send my thoughts and prayers to everybody involved: the students, the families, that community. Stuff like that shouldn’t happen. He’s safe, he’s back home. It was a difficult time for everyone.

– Martin St-Louis on the Brown tragedy

Here’s the video:

He was visibly shaken. Join us in offering your thoughts to those affected by this tragedy.

Kudos to Martin St-Louis for taking a moment to speak about this tragedy, and for taking a moment to offer his thoughts and prayers to all those unfortunately affected more closely.

We are at a loss for words.