Official Statement from the Canadiens Concerning Jake Allen

The Club de hockey Canadien is pleased to announce the selection of goaltender Jake Allen as the Jean Beliveau Trophy recipient for the 2021-2022 season.

The trophy is awarded annually to the Canadiens' most outstanding player for his actions and generosity in the community, and comes with a $25,000 donation from the Canadiens Children's Foundation to an organization of the honoured player's choice. Jake Allen has chosen to donate this amount to the Jasmin Roy Sophie Desmarais Foundation to support its initiatives to prevent and reduce bullying, discrimination and violence in schools.

Established in 2003 to commemorate Jean Béliveau's 50-year association with the Club de hockey Canadien, this award celebrates the values that characterized the great man and player he was, who devoted a large part of his career to supporting various organizations that primarily help the most disadvantaged children. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of their commitment, leadership, and the time and involvement they devoted to various collective and personal initiatives that are close to their hearts.

Jake Allen, who won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, joined the Montreal Canadiens in September 2020. Since joining the organization, the Fredericton native has worked to continually improve the lives of those around him, both in Montreal and in his native New Brunswick. In 2016, he and his wife Shannon founded Program 34, a non-profit organization that aims to reduce and eliminate barriers in sport caused by poverty, distance, disability and culture. Since its inception, nearly half a million dollars has been raised and distributed to 22 New Brunswick charities, including the Jake Allen Classic, an annual golf tournament that raised over $75,000 in its 6th year last August. Recognizing that few young hockey players from the Maritimes make it to the NHL, each summer the Canadiens' goaltender hosts the Jake Allen Fantasy Goalie Camp, during which he provides advice and mentorship to Bantam AAA goaltenders from across New Brunswick.

Last year, the Allens organized the collection and distribution of 300 blankets to isolated seniors in Montreal as part of the Santa to a Senior initiative. At the end of last season, Allen also auctioned off his mask worn in the previous months, raising over $15,000 in proceeds, which was split between Program 34 and the Canadiens Children's Foundation. Most recently, Allen donated a pair of half-season tickets to Sun Youth to encourage girls' participation in sport by inviting young female athletes from the football, basketball and hockey programs to attend a Canadiens game.

Last May, Jake Allen was also nominated by the Canadiens as a candidate for the 2021-2022 King Clancy Trophy, awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice, and who has made an outstanding humanitarian contribution to his community.

Jake Allen succeeds forward Jonathan Drouin, who won the award last season. Previous recipients include Phillip Danault, Shea Weber, Brendan Gallagher, Max Pacioretty, P.K. Subban, Carey Price, Brian Gionta, Michael Cammalleri, Maxim Lapierre, Patrice Brisebois, Alex Kovalev, Francis Bouillon, Steve Bégin and Saku Koivu.