Joel Armia of the Montreal Canadiens Celebrates Joyful Arrival of Baby, Sparks Team Celebration
Montreal, QC — The Montreal Canadiens had more than just hockey to celebrate this week. Veteran forward Joel Armia and his partner welcomed the newest addition to their family, as the 30-year-old announced the joyful birth of their baby on Tuesday. The news sent waves of happiness throughout the Canadiens organization, sparking a heartwarming celebration among teammates and staff alike.
Armia, known for his quiet demeanor and consistent presence on the ice, shared the announcement privately with teammates before the Canadiens’ morning skate. The locker room quickly filled with cheers, handshakes, and hugs as players congratulated Armia on his growing family. According to team sources, the typically reserved Finn couldn’t contain his smile as he proudly showed teammates a photo of his newborn.
“It was such a special moment,” said Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki. “We see each other every day and we go through the ups and downs of the season together. When something like this happens in someone’s personal life, it brings us even closer. We’re all thrilled for Joel.”
The Canadiens honored the occasion in their own light-hearted way. Before practice, the team surprised Armia with a custom onesie featuring the Canadiens logo and his jersey number. Later that day, the team held a small, impromptu celebration at the Bell Centre, complete with a baby-themed cake and decorations in the players’ lounge.
Head coach Martin St. Louis also offered his congratulations during a press conference, calling the birth “a reminder that there’s more to life than just hockey.”
“Joel is a great teammate and a great person. This is a big moment for him and his family, and we’re all behind him 100 percent,” St. Louis said.
While Armia did not dress for Tuesday night’s game against the Ottawa Senators, he was in attendance and received a standing ovation when his name was announced on the video scoreboard, accompanied by a “Welcome Baby Armia” message. Fans erupted in cheers, recognizing not only the player’s on-ice contributions but his milestone as a father.
As the Canadiens continue their season, the joyful news has injected a new layer of camaraderie and inspiration into the team. With a newborn to celebrate, Joel Armia has reminded everyone that sometimes, the most important victories happen off the ice.