Breaking News: Martin St-Louis, Head Coach of Montreal Canadiens, Invests \$3.6 Million to Transform House into Shelter for Homeless Youth After Serious Wake-Up Call*
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**A Deeper Connection**
Martin’s own story wasn’t so different. As a young player, he’d been told he was too small, too slow, not good enough. He understood what it meant to be overlooked, underestimated. That experience gave him a special empathy for these teens, many of whom had aged out of foster care, escaped abusive homes, or simply fallen through the cracks.
He met one such teen during a site visit—17-year-old Alex, who had been on the streets for a year. They sat in the still-empty kitchen, dust in the air, construction noises echoing down the hallway.
“You really were in the NHL?” Alex asked skeptically.
Martin smiled. “Still am, just behind the bench now.”
Alex studied him. “Why are you doing this? You could just coach and live in Westmount like everyone else.”
Martin leaned forward. “Because I see you. I hear you. And I believe in what you could be if someone just gave you a shot.”
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**The Canadiens Join In**
When the team heard about what their coach was doing, it didn’t take long for the locker room to rally. Veteran defenseman Shea Weber, though no longer active, pledged \$250,000. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield promised to host youth workshops. Goalie Samuel Montembeault offered to organize fundraisers to sustain the shelter long-term
