Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson wins the Jacques-Beauchamp-Molson Trophy

Montréal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (8) celebrates his empty net goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (Jason Behnken/The Associated Press)

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson has won the Jacques-Beauchamp-Molson Trophy, awarded annually to an outstanding supporting player.

The Habs made the announcement on Saturday.

The trophy honours a player who has played a “pivotal role within the team during the season, without, however, receiving any particular individual accolades.”

Last year, Josh Anderson received the honour.

Media representatives covering the team awarded Matheson 89 points, more than Noah Dobson (40 points) and Oliver Kapanen (27 points).

Having played a decidedly offensive role since his arrival in Montreal, Matheson has seen his role change with the emergence of Lane Hutson and the arrival of Dobson. He is now used on the penalty kill, but remains the team’s most-used player with an average of 24:14 per game.

Regularly deployed against the opposition’s top lines, the 32-year-old from Quebec has racked up seven goals and 37 points in 76 games so far, while posting a plus-11 rating.

Matheson is also the Canadiens’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy, which honours the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 11, 2026.