Meet Gucci and Gigi, two French Bulldogs lucky enough to have an NHL goalie as their personal coach. And who might that be? None other than the legendary Samuel Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens.
“Players have their coaches, and for dogs, it’s the same,” he said. “Their owner is their coach, so we have to teach them a bunch of things.”
Discipline on and off the ice
As it turns out, Montembeault is as disciplined with himself as he is with his dogs.
On training days, the Montreal Canadiens get up early and run through high-intensity drills to get ready for the games ahead. Montembeault hits the ice 30 minutes before the others for a warmup. After practice, the team gets free time. But Montembeault takes this opportunity to get some extra training.
When he does finally get home, he eats a late lunch, watches sports highlights and takes his dogs for walks. Gucci doesn’t like winter or the hot weather in the summer, but with the right motivator, he becomes suddenly cooperative.
“You can make him do pretty much anything with food. Without it, he does absolutely nothing. For Gigi, it’s the ball. She’s a real addict.”
Hockey dogs with a defender’s spirit
Both his dogs remind Sam of David Savard, the defenceman who played for the Canadiens until 2025, known for his shot blocking, physical play and ability to stay reliable under pressure. According to Montembeault, Gucci and Gigi are quite similar.
“If they were hockey players, they would block a lot of shots.”
The wedding moment that made them stars
Gucci and Gigi were present for some of the biggest moments in Montembeault’s life. During his 2025 wedding, the pair of French Bulldogs walked down the aisle with the groomsmen, charming the entire crowd.
When it came time for Montembeault to state his vows, the Frenchies started snoring. And for the reception, they stayed at the tables, dressed in adorable doggy-sized bride and groom outfits.
The event made Gucci and Gigi go viral on social media. Since then, Montembeault’s fans have taken notice. They gifted him custom-made Gucci and Gigi keepsakes, including Christmas tree ornaments and a snow globe featuring the dogs.
For Montembeault, these moments show just how closely his life on the ice and at home are intertwined. Whether he’s stopping slapshots or coaxing Gucci outside with a snack, he brings the same dedication, patience and good humour with him. His fans clearly love him for it.
Protect your own four-legged MVPs
If you’re looking to give your own pets the same care and protection Montembeault gives Gucci and Gigi, Petsecure is here to help. Click here to get a free quote that can help keep your furry family members happy, healthy and ready for adventure.