MONTREAL - Following the interruption of the NHL and AHL seasons, the Montreal Canadiens announced earlier today the implementation of special measures to offset the impact of this unprecedented crisis on the 1,200 game-day employees of the Montreal Canadiens and the Laval Rocket.

For employees who aren't eligible to receive employment insurance, the organization will pay 75% of the employee's salary they would have received for the remaining regular-season games of the Montreal Canadiens (4 games) or the Laval Rocket (8 games).

For employees eligible to receive employment insurance, the organization is enhancing employment insurance benefits by 40% so employees will receive 95% (the maximum allowed by Service Canada for them to be eligible for full employment insurance benefits) of the salary they would have received for the remaining games.

"Our industry is going through a difficult time right now and our employees are being hit especially hard by recent events. The Montreal Canadiens and Laval Rocket are deploying the means necessary to reduce the impact of this unique situation on our employees, whom I wish to sincerely thank for their collaboration and understanding," mentioned Geoff Molson, owner, president and CEO.