Foundation hit the jackpot on the first Dream Big Casino night

MONTREAL – Habs players traded their hockey shields to card dealers Thursday for a night of gaming for a good cause.

The Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation held its first Dream Big Casino Night at Casino de Montreal, raising $162,483 to empower local youth.

Players, their spouses, coaches, management and guests dressed to the nines for a night on the town. Habs captain Nick Suzuki and his girlfriend Caitlin Fitzgerald organized the event in collaboration with lead sponsors Loto-Quebec and Air Canada.

“They've been a huge support for us and we couldn't have made it without them,” Suzuki said of the corporate support that has been amassed in the event's first year. “We came to support the children's fund; All proceeds go to that, but we're having a good time. All the boys have fun with him.'

Thursday's festivities began with a red-carpeted entrance before moving upstairs to the main event, where the Habs' on-the-go talent will be put to the test. Players rotated through the stations throughout the night and welcomed nearly 300 guests who took part in blackjack, roulette and war tables to a backdrop of live music.

“It's another opportunity for us to be together in a different environment and continue to learn more about each other in a new environment,” Montreal defenseman Mike Matheson explained.