Press Release

Thursday, April 06, 2017

Rachelle Lemoine and Jean-François Plante chosen athletes of the year at the Université de Moncton

Volleyball player Rachelle Lemoine, of Saint-Boniface, Manitoba, and hockey player Jean-François Plante, of Sherbrooke, Québec, are the athletes of the year at the Moncton campus of the Université de Moncton, for the 2016-2017 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) season.

The annual Athlete’s Gala, honoring the student-athletes, members of the nine Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus/Aigles Bleues teams, took place on Thursday evening at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel, in Moncton. University president, Raymond Théberge, and student and administration vice president, Edgar Robichaud, were in attendance.

Runner Nassim Bousmaha, of Montréal, and soccer player Natalie Fleming, of Moncton, were chosen as rookies of the year. The Coach of Year Award went to track and field enthusiast, Steve LeBlanc. His athletes won eight medals at the AUS competition. Hockey team captain Karine Roy received the prestigious President’s Award.

Volleyball player Rachelle Lemoine is completing her bachelor of kinesiology at the Moncton campus. In her fifth season with the Aigles Bleues, she was a team player all season long. She was named on the AUS first all-star team and received the AUS Community Services Erin Bursey Award. Lemoine was second in the AUS in kills percentage with 24 per cent and third in solo blocks. She was named player of the game four times and was active in her community. She has been named U de M athlete of the week once this season.

Jean-François Plante is a third year kinesiology student and was a member of the AUS first all-star team in men’s hockey. He was his team’s, the AUS and USPORTS top goal scorer. His 28 goals were 32 per cent of his team’s output this season and is the fifth top Aigles scorer in history. He was fifth in AUS scoring race with 40 points and 7th in Canada (USPORTS). He has been named U de M athlete of the week three times.

Runner Nassim Bousmaha, a first-year kinesiology student, left his mark in his first cross country and track and field seasons. He was 3rd of the rookies at the AUS cross country championship and attended the USPORTS championships where he broke the 35-minute barrier. He is a natural leader and has a contagious positive attitude and has a good sense of humor.

Natalie Fleming rapidly won place on the field in her first season with the soccer Aigles Bleues. She impressed with her play and determination. A health sciences student, she played all minutes of every game. She also dominated all physical and technical testing. She is a volunteer coach with Codiac Soccer and Soccer New Brunswick.

In his 10th season with the Aigles track and field teams, Steve LeBlanc was named coach of the year. His women and men’s teams finished fourth in the final standings of the AUS competition. His athletes captured eight medals: two gold, four silver and two bronze. Alain Doucet was named male MVP of the AUS competition the first recent Aigles athlete to get title, breaking a string of Dalhousie Tigers athletes that had won 11 of the last 12 titles.

The prestigious Prix du Recteur (President’s Award) was attributed to hockey Aigles Bleues team captain Karine Roy, of Nigadoo. The Award is given to an athlete that has combined academic, athletic and leadership excellence. Roy played her fifth season with the Aigles Bleues and is business masters student. She was a member of USPORTS academic honor roll.

Johanne Vautour was the first head coach of the Aigles Bleues women’s hockey team in 1998-1999. She coached for three seasons and was awarded the Prix de reconnaissance (Recognition Award) for her pioneer work in the development the women’s hockey program at the Moncton campus.

Former athlete and present assistant coach, runner Shayne Dobson, and U de M student Simon Richard were awarded with the Prix d’Excellence (Excellence Award). Both were members of Team Canada at the Rio Paralympic Games in September 2016. Dobson was in the 1500m race while Richard was a centremen with the Canadian goalball team.
The AUS James Bayer Award went to Jean-François Plante. It is offered to an athlete who combines excellence in athletic, studies and leadership. He receives a $500 bursary.

Former Times & Transcript sport reporter Dwayne Tingley is this year's recipient of the Méridia Award for his interest and coverage of the Aigles programs. Dwayne Tingley was sports editor for a number of years and he also found space to cover U de M athletes.

The most valuable players of each team were also honoured at the Gala. They are Isabelle Morris and Alain Doucet (track and field); Carol-Ann MacDonald and Jérémie Pellerin (cross country); Karine Roy and Jean-François Plante (hockey); Émilie Naugle and Saad Mohammed Mersadi (soccer); and Rachelle Lemoine (volleyball).



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