Habs hold practice in disaster-stricken Lac-Megantic

LAC-MEGANTIC, Que. – The Montreal Canadiens held a practice in the disaster-stricken town of Lac-Megantic, Que., in a show of support Thursday for the community.

The Habs rolled into town on a bus whose passengers included team owner Geoff Molson and general manager Marc Bergevin.

“Driving down the road, you take a deep breath. It’s hard. It’s hard to see it,” Molson said.

“But at the same time the people are here today, and they’re happy, and it looks like the city is being rebuilt so that gives me pleasure at the same time.”

Cheers from the 1,300 people in the arena greeted them as they took the ice, with local kids tapping on the glass to get the players’ attention and request autographs.

It was the latest in a string of good-will gestures directed at the community, following benefit shows and free concert tickets from Paul McCartney.

The Habs themselves have already held a scrimmage at the Bell Centre where cash raised from the $5 tickets went to a Lac-Megantic fund. They also invited survivors and emergency personnel to preseason games, and held a minute of silence during a pregame tribute.

“I think we probably had 150 ideas of what we could do (for Lac-Megantic),” Molson said.

“We put together a little task force. I’m not going to give any individual credit. I think it’s a team effort and I’m proud to be here.”

Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban told reporters that the team felt it was important to go to Lac-Megantic, and appreciated seeing so many happy and excited children there.

Forty-seven people were killed, and a part of the town was razed, when a train derailed on July 5, smashing into the town centre and erupting in fireballs.

The disaster has prompted various investigations and lawsuits, all of which are ongoing.

There have also been policy changes in Canada’s rail-safety standards, with other changes possible after an investigation from the federal Transportation Safety Board.