Walking through Section 105 of the Bell Centre, Makayla Wight radiates pure joy. The 17-year-old from Laval exchanges fist-bumps with smiling fans, her enthusiasm infectious. This is her domain, where two great passions—public speaking and the Montreal Canadiens—converge under the arena's bright lights.
A Dream Role Forged from Dual Passions
Makayla Wight has served as an in-game host for the Canadiens for the past two seasons, earning her place as one of the youngest individuals to hold such a position in the entire National Hockey League. Her mission is simple yet profound: to create happiness and maintain electric energy for over 21,000 fans.
"I love the idea of being able to have a positive effect on as many people as possible," Wight shared. "I just want to make people happy." Working alongside the legendary public address announcer Michel Lacroix, her role is pivotal. She appears on the giant video screens above centre ice, engaging the crowd, facilitating contests, and keeping the excitement soaring before the game, between periods, and during commercial breaks.
From the Classroom to the Arena
Wight's journey to the Bell Centre began while she was still a student at West Island College, balancing academics with her unique professional commitment. She would sometimes leave school early to arrive for 3 p.m. rehearsals, a schedule that required understanding and support from her teachers.
She recalls one French teacher's emphatic advice: "Take every opportunity that comes to you. I would be angry with you if you took my French test instead." This support system, encompassing friends, family, teachers, and her bosses, has been fundamental to her success.
Her determination was evident from a young age. At just nine years old, after her father, Glen Wight, got a new motor for their boat, she asked to drive it. He jokingly said she needed a boating license first. Undeterred, Makayla went online and figured out how to get one. "She never minded failing," her father said, highlighting her resilience and quick learning ability.
Learning and Growing Under the Bright Lights
The role has not been without its learning curves. After her second game, Canadiens game production director Paul Gallant suggested she work on lowering the pitch of her voice. Initially fearing this feedback might cost her the job, Wight tackled the challenge head-on, practicing diligently with a karaoke machine at home—an idea she credits to her "superwoman" mother.
Gallant has been impressed with her rapid growth. "For a young person of her age, it's impressive to see how she's been able to grasp the role that, generally, you have to go to a formal training to understand," he noted, expressing excitement for her future.
Her colleague, 28-year-old in-game host Maëlle Aeschimann, treats Wight like a little sister and praises her sunny disposition. "She's the best. She always brings the sunshine," Aeschimann said. She also noted Wight's receptiveness to constructive criticism, such as reminders to slow her speaking pace, which she adjusts immediately.
Inspiring a New Generation
Beyond her work with the Habs, Wight is in her first year of CEGEP studying science, serves as vice-chair of congress for the John Abbott College student union, and hones her craft as a host for the QMJHL's Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. She has navigated the challenges of the role, including performing for thousands and occasionally dealing with inebriated fans, always feeling secure thanks to the Bell Centre's security staff.
Wight hopes her path inspires other young people. "I think we're more than our ages," she asserted. "Age is not a sign of competence and it's not a sign of capacity. I don't think we can use age as an excuse for being incapable of doing something." For this determined teen from Laval, the Bell Centre is not just a workplace; it's a platform to prove that passion and perseverance can light up the biggest stages.
