Nick Suzuki’s Heroes Golf Tournament puts mental health in the spotlight | Sports

Nick Suzuki traded his Canadiens sweater for a golf shirt last Thursday, but the Montreal captain was still surrounded by teammates, supporting their captain in an important cause.

Suzuki hosted his fourth annual Heroes Golf Tournament at Club de Golf Saint-Raphaël, raising funds for the Asista Foundation, an organization that rescues shelter dogs and trains them as service animals for people dealing with mental health challenges, including PTSD, autism and anxiety. “I see the benefits,” Nick Suzuki said during the pre-golf press conference. “I see people going through tough times, getting to meet these dogs, and It makes a huge difference for them. It’s really cool to be a part of, and we’re going to continue to grow and raise more awareness.”

For the third consecutive year, the Canadiens captain arrived at the tournament aboard a military helicopter, a tradition designed to honour those who wear the uniform while drawing attention to the mental health struggles that are often invisible to the public.

The message fit perfectly with this year’s “A Hero Within All of Us” campaign, which emphasizes that heroes can face battles of their own. “I think a hero is someone who’s a leader,” Suzuki said. “Someone who gives back to the community and leads by example.” And you know, I think for me,

The Asista Foundation’s work adds another layer to the cause. By giving rescued dogs a second chance and training them to become service animals, the foundation helps connect people facing mental health challenges with companions capable of providing meaningful support. “I truly love this foundation and what it does for veterans, kids, people struggling.,” he said. “Now that I have a service dog, (Ruby) I get to see her every time I come home from a bad game, and that just brings a smile to my face. “