On Thursday afternoon, before the Canadians-Senators game in Gander, Newfoundland, I hosted a question-and-answer session with the Senators’ Brendan Gallagher, Cole Caufield, and Nick Holden and Jacob Bernard-Docker at Center Ice.

A total of eight primary and secondary school children from the community of Twillingate were privileged to ask questions that they had prepared in advance. The whole thing happened in front of several fans sitting in the stands.

What I want to tell you is the generosity and patience of Caufield and Gallagher that I experienced prior to presenting this event.

Here’s what happened.

The Canadiens players hit the ice at 10:30 am for their morning practice. Caufield and Gallagher went out around 11 a.m. They undressed and showered. By 11:30 they were ready to return to the hotel for dinner and a pre-game nap. It’s the standard game day routine and still important for pre-season games as well.

However, Caufield and Gallagher were asked to stay a little longer to attend the question-and-answer session, which was scheduled to take place somewhere between 12:15 and 12:20 p.m. So they were asked to wait another 45 minutes. Caufield and Gallagher readily accepted, fully aware of the importance of this moment for the young people present.

For no reason (the Senators did nothing wrong) the Senators practice that followed the Habs practice was extended and we waited for the two Senators players to start the event on Center Ice.

Finally, the event started at 12:45 p.m. That means Caufield and Gallagher waited a total of 1 hour 15 minutes. They still hadn’t eaten dinner and their pregame routine was upside down.

However, instead of complaining and showing signs of impatience, Caufield and Gallagher waited patiently. They used the long wait to sign autographs, take photos and hand out sticks to the fans present.

At that time there were no television cameras and no photographers. They did it simply for the love of the sport and for the fans who admired them.

I wanted to tell you this story because I thought Caufield and Gallagher displayed exemplary and remarkable behavior. I find that instructive.

I think with this kind of anecdote we can see the true nature and deep kindness of certain athletes.

Well done cole.

Well done Brendan.