The Montreal defenseman received this year's award for his notable contributions and leadership in the community.
On Friday, the Montreal Canadiens announced which of their players from the 2022-23 season had been selected to receive the Jean Béliveau Trophy: Mike Matheson.
The award, presented to "the Canadiens player who best exemplifies leadership qualities in the community," also includes a $25,000 donation made by the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation to the player's choice of charitable organizations.
Per the club's press release, the award was established in 2003 to honor Beliveau's 50-year association with the Canadiens, and "aims to celebrate the values that characterized the great man and player that he was, one who devoted a significant part of his career to supporting various organizations mainly helping disadvantaged children. Candidates are evaluated based on their commitment and leadership, as well as their involvement and time invested in collective and personal initiatives that are close to their hearts."
One of Matheson's most notable causes since joining the organization in the summer of 2022 has been his role as an ambassador for the Champions for Life Foundation. The 29-year-old blueliner travels to local schools to read interactive stories to children in grades one through six, encouraging them to adapt an active and healthy lifestyle.
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