Nick Suzuki and Wife Donate Entire Season Earnings to Charity – A Historic Move in NHL Philanthropy
Byline: Montreal, QC – June 1, 2025
Image Caption: Nick Suzuki and Caitlin Fitzgerald smile during a press conference at the Bell Centre, where they announced their groundbreaking charitable pledge.
In a stunning and heartfelt move that has sent waves throughout the sports world, Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki and his wife, Caitlin Fitzgerald, have confirmed that they will donate 100% of his 2024–2025 NHL season earnings and sponsorship deals to various charities and homeless relief programs across North America.
> “Hockey has given me so much,” Suzuki said at a press conference held at the Bell Centre on Friday. “It’s time we give back in a way that truly matters.”
Suzuki, 25, is projected to earn over \$10 million this season through a combination of salary, playoff bonuses, and endorsement deals with brands like CCM, Tim Hortons, and Bauer.
The couple’s donation will be distributed among causes such as youth mental health initiatives, housing-first programs, and Indigenous community support networks in Canada.
This unprecedented act of generosity puts Suzuki among the most charitable athletes in modern sports history. While players like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid have made significant contributions in the past, few have donated entire season earnings.
To provide context, here are some of the biggest bonuses in NHL history.
Sergei Fedorov (1998): \$28 million signing bonus with Detroit.
Connor McDavid (2017): \$13 million annual bonus included in \$100 million deal.
Auston Matthews (2023):\$15.9 million signing bonus.
Ilya Kovalchuk (2010): \$10 million upfront with the Devils.
Yet, none of these players gave away such sums in full.
Suzuki and Fitzgerald say they hope this decision inspires others.
> “We’re not doing this for applause,” Fitzgerald stated. “We’re doing it because no one should have to sleep in a shelter or struggle to eat while the world watches.”
As applause rang through the press room, Suzuki ended with a message for young fans.