Harry North

Reporting news for @mtlgazette (plus sometimes tennis). Posts here are my own. Story tips: [email protected]

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

Big cheers for the #Habs players attending the Canada Ireland game tonight here in Montreal

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

Oh Canada in Montreal tonight

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

Canada has arrived ahead of their friendly in Montreal against Ireland today. A sticky 26 degrees rn

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

🚨 Canada’s intelligence agency and its five eye partners, have issued an alert over what they say is an unprecedented attempt by China to use professional networking sites, like LinkedIn, to recruit current and former Western assets

“These actors use an aggressive online recruitment strategy whereby intelligence officers or their affiliates pose as employees of private consultancies, think tanks or human resources firms, and place online job advertisements for foreign policy and defence analysts…”

[Aaron Derfel @Aaron_Derfel]

1) BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: The chief of cardiac surgery at Jewish General Hospital is quitting Montreal to move to Atlanta, citing rising antisemitism in the city. Dr. Emmanuel Moss's departure will deal a blow to the province's already perilous health system.
https://t.co/lIIvccrC30

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

Story today @mtlgazette

PM Carney announced a $10 billion federal infrastructure funding package for Quebec Tuesday, which will go toward public transit, hospitals, housing and higher education projects across the province.

Creds to our photographer Dave for this snap.

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

Champs crash the PM’s office

[Montreal Gazette @mtlgazette]

Montreal Victoire players visit Mark Carney, present him with jersey https://t.co/4uSYU5lmyT

[Montreal Gazette @mtlgazette]

Carney refuses to engage with Trump’s latest annexation taunt on social media https://t.co/0TnMKn7Uk0

[Montreal Gazette @mtlgazette]

Félix Auger-Aliassime has his best shot yet to win first Grand Slam title. Can he pull it off? https://t.co/s9Iv9j6Kbq

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

Montrealer Felix Auger-Aliassime has turned some early scares into in a first #FrenchOpen quarterfinal of his career. There are no champions left either, so the door is open. And crucially, he appears to be picking up a bit of momentum.

https://t.co/QdGgEFxINf

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

🚨A fire broke out in Montreal’s Eaton Centre Saturday evening.

I’m told by a fire fighter at the scene that it was in the ventilation system and was minor. The situation is now under control. It has since been put out.

As of 10 pm there are still about a dozen fire trucks in the downtown core, as well as police presence, wit Maisonneuve Blvd shut off between Robert-Bourassa and McGill College Ave

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

🚨 Brendan Lemieux posts statement on the death of his father of Instagram.

The statement 👇🏼

“The family of Claude Lemieux, with profound sadness, issued the following statement today following his death on May 28, 2026.

Claude was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and teammate. To the hockey world, he was one of the game's most unforgettable competitors: a four-time Stanley Cup champion, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and one of the great playoff performers of all time. To his family, he was more than a hero: he was loving, loyal, funny, protective, and generous. He was stubborn, and he was completely devoted to the people he loved. He was adored by his family in turn.

"Claude was a passionate man," the Lemieux family said. "He brought that passion to the rink, to his work, to his friendships, and most of all to his family. He was fierce on the ice because he cared so deeply about winning, about his teammates, and about never giving less than everything he had. Away from the game, he was tender, loyal and full of life. He made us laugh, he showed up for us, and he loved his children and grandchildren with his whole heart."
Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Claude built a hockey life defined by will, grit and courage. He won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, the New Jersey Devils in 1995 and 2000, and the Colorado Avalanche in 1996.

In 1995, he earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was tough, and he was great.

Nobody wanted to face him on the ice, and everybody wanted him on their team.

His family also remembers the man behind the sweater: the father and grandfather whose greatest joy was time with family, the friend who stayed loyal for life, and the competitor whose intensity was matched by the gentle warmth that all who had the honor of knowing him experienced.

In the hope that Claude's life can continue to help others, the family has chosen to donate his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank at the
Boston University CTE Center for research into the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury. The family has also given permission for the CTE Center to identify Claude by name in connection with his donation and any findings it may publicly share in accordance with its research protocols.

The family emphasizes that this decision is a gift to science, to athletes, and to future generations of families seeking answers. No conclusions should be drawn at this time regarding any diagnosis.

"Claude dedicated his post-play career to helping the next generation," the family said. "By allowing his name to be connected to this research, we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations, and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead."

The Lemieux family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love from fans, former teammates, opponents, organizations and friends across the hockey community. The stories being shared of Claude's competitiveness, humor, loyalty and unmistakable presence have brought comfort during an unimaginably difficult time. The family asks only for continued prayers.

The family recognizes that there has been public reporting about the circumstances of Claude's death. Suicide is complex, and the family asks media and the public to discuss this loss with care, compassion and respect for those who loved him.

Anyone in crisis or emotional distress in the United States can call or text 988 for confidential support from the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
…
The family has no additional comment at this time and respectfully asks for privacy as they grieve.

Details regarding a memorial or celebration of life will be shared at a later date.

[Brendan Kelly @brendanshowbiz]

I return tonite to where it all started, Maison Publique McLean's, where we shot the first What the Puck video & I penned my first WTP column of this magical playoff run. I have so far written 18 columns, each game night, catching the fan vibe & I'll be writing No. 19 tonight.

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

Claude Lemieux, who was tragically found dead by his son after reportedly committing suicide Thursday, knew what it took to win, Jack Todd writes in The Gazette. Just three days before, the grey-haired gentleman had carried the torch for #Habs’ Game 3.

https://t.co/qpl3m7VJ25

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

@awerhun Amazing

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

Did the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff save the Grand Prix weekend? 👇🏼

https://t.co/8nxrC0PMpP

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

🇬🇧 Lewis Hamilton can’t get enough of Montreal

As my colleague @StuCowan1 writes: a podium finish at the #CanadianGP, “great restaurants,” his mum along for the ride (something he’s reportedly been working on for a while), and even a Habs game on the cards

Unfortunately- such is the craziness of the city right now- he said she hasn’t been able to enjoy much of it this weekend. But he added they’re set for trip in Canada over the next few days before the Monaco GP. He wouldn’t say where but he hopes to see a moose and some hockey.

“I will be watching the Canadiens game tomorrow, which should be my first hockey game.”

[Stu Cowan @StuCowan1]

My column on Lewis Hamilton’s love affair with Montreal continuing with second-place finish behind Kimi Antonelli at Canadian Grand Prix with his mother cheering him on #F1: https://t.co/cw9NSiSf1o

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

#CanadianGP Snowbirds overhead

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

FIFA President with the World Cup trophy donning a #goHabsgo jersey at the #CanadianGP in Montreal.

[Harry North @hsnorth_]

Spotted at the #CanadianGP: Montréal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada.

In a very quick interview, she told me me that the hockey x F1 combination has brought an “immense energy” to Montreal and is something that may continue in the coming years.

She’s also backing the #Habs to win the Stanley Cup - but has no favourite F1 driver today, just enjoying the vibe.