In Photos: Sam Montembeault's wife hosts "The Better Habs" Christmas Party for wives and girlfriends of Canadiens players

This weekend, Sam Montembeault’s wife Daryanne brought together the inner circle of the Montreal Canadiens this weekend hosting a festive holiday gathering for the wives and girlfriends of Habs players in a Christmas celebration warmly dubbed “The Better Habs” party.

Several of the ladies shared glimpses of the evening on their Instagram stories on Saturday.

One story, shared by defenceman Noah Dobson’s wife Alexa featured a specially arranged holiday spread. A decorative sign welcoming guests to “The Better Habs” sat alongside a charcuterie display featuring cheeses, cured meats, fruit and crackers.

"The best Hostess @daryanneayotte," Alexa wrote in the caption followed by a red heart emoji.

Additional clips and photos, originally posted by Josh Anderson’s wife Paola and reposted by rookie defenceman Lane Hutson’s girlfriend Kylie showed a group of attendees dressed in coordinated holiday pajamas, chatting and mingling around a kitchen island.

via Instagram/@alexadobson, @robertskyliee, @daryanneayotte

Another story, shared by Daryanne Montembeault saw the group later settling into a living room to watch a Montreal Canadiens game together. A decorated Christmas tree stood in the background with stockings hung by the fireplace and wrapped gifts were scattered nearby.

---

Daryanne and Sam Montembeault married this year in Montreal

Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault and his longtime partner Daryanne Ayotte were married on August 16 earlier this year at the Four Seasons Hotel Montreal in a private ceremony. The wedding saw several of his Canadiens teammates in attendance including Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Brendan Gallagher and Jonathan Drouin.

The wedding featured a white floral-framed altar where the newlyweds shared their first kiss and the reception included a candlelit dining hall draped with greenery, long tables under white drapery and olive trees. Daryanne Ayotte and her bridesmaids wore sleek black gowns and carried white bouquets, while the couple’s French bulldogs Gucci and Gigi also participated, walking down the aisle with the groomsmen.

“Our beloved French bulldogs, Gucci and Gigi, were also part of the ceremony. They charmed everyone, even snoring softly during the vows,” Daryanne shared.

Reception highlights featured a lively dance floor and a black-and-white photo of the couple sharing cake in front of a sign reading “Love is Sweet” dated 16.08.2025. A short cinematic reel released by the wedding organizers captured intimate moments from the day including the couple’s first look and ceremony highlights.

Montembeault and Ayotte first met in 2018 at the Festival du blé d’Inde in Saint-Célestin, Quebec, and their first date was at Juliette & Chocolat in Blainville where they bonded over family and hockey. After six years together, Montembeault proposed in September 2024 during a beachside evening.

Wayne Gretzky’s wife Janet responds to critics questioning his loyalty to Canada, Bobby Orr's support following 4 Nations drama

Edited by Anjum Rajonno