P.K. Subban is one of the more controversial players in the NHL, for reasons both fair and unfair, but everyone across the league can agree that his actions today were nothing short of outstanding and commendable. Through his charitable foundation, the Montreal Canadiens player pledged to donate at least $10 million to the local Montreal Children's General Hospital. The money will be played out over the next seven years. The donation is "the biggest philanthropic commitment by a sports figure in Canadian history," according to the health care centre. It was also called "Christmas in September" by the chair of the Board of Directors of the hospital foundation, Greg Rokos. 

In response to the massive donation, the hospital created the P.K. Subban Atrium, which is an over 5000 square foot, three-story space located in the heart of the hospital’s new facilities. He told the media that seeing his name on the wall as he walked in gave him goosebumps. Subban has also been given a place of on the hospital board of directors in honor of his contribution. He will continue working with the hospital on fundraising campaigns and said he plans to be a constant presence there, calling his donation "a promise to the kids."

Some of the money from the donation will go towards the creation of a fund dedicated to assisting vulnerable families financially hurt by a child’s illness, named P.K.’s Helping Hand. Subban wants the fund to allow parents to focus on helping their children get better, rather than having to worry about their finances.

"A lot of people don't realize that having a sick child often means one parent has to stop working, and it becomes tough to make ends meet,"  

The former Norris Trophy winner touched on his trip to Haiti after the earthquake that devastated the country in 2010, saying that he told himself when he returned to Canada that he would never let being a hockey player dictate how he lived his life.

He also spoke about how much of a second home the city of Montreal has become to him and how he wishes to remain there in Quebec for a very long time. According to him, his love for Montreal is the reason he chose to make a significant contribution to the city and province. As well, he addressed the wife of the late Montreal great Jean Beliveau, who was in attendance, telling her in French that he wants to make her husband proud. 

"It is really an amazing feeling to be here. I am proud to walk in the footsteps of my idol Jean Beliveau by giving back to the community and feel privileged to be able to help transform the lives of sick children and their families.”

Subban follows in the footsteps of former Canadiens captain Saku Koivu and current teammate Max Pacioretty by working with McGill Health Centre Network. Koivu established a foundation in the early 2000s at the Montreal General branch, after undergoing successful cancer treatment there, while Pacioretty established the Max Pacioretty Foundation with the hospital more recently, in 2011. That foundation had the goal of supporting the traumatic brain injury project and help purchase a state-of-the-art advanced High Performance MRI machine for the hospital, and was created after the Habs player suffered a severe concussion and broken vertebrae at the hands of Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara. 

At one point during the press conference, Subban told those in attendance that they would know what he stands for every time they entered the hospital, and it is in no way controversial to say that the public is very impressed it. And rightly so. On this, he is a leader who should most definitely be followed. 

@DGelevan @HockeyInHeelsTV I'll admit I'm not a PK fan but this is nothing short of classy. Montreal should be very proud.

— Jess ☕️ (@jwanlass) September 16, 2015

That might have been the most emotionally I've ever felt at news conference on this job. Wow. #Subban #MontrealChildrensHospital

— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2015

PK Subban shouldn't just be captain of the @CanadiensMTL. He should be captain of the NHL. Extraordinary generosity. #sticktap

— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) September 16, 2015

If you don't like PK Subban, you need to re-evaluate your life.

— Conor McKenna (@mckennaconor) September 16, 2015