Press Release
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Hockey: The Aigles Bleus play 2 pre-season games, including one in Lamèque
The Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus will play two pre-season games Friday and Saturday in Atlantic University Sport men's hockey on the road.
Coach Derek Cormier's roster will travel to Antigonish on Friday night to face the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers will be the visitors of the Blue and Gold exceptionally at the arena des îles de Lamèque, at 7 p.m.
These are the first two of four pre-season games in anticipation of the 2023-2024 season that will begin on Wednesday, October 4 when the Panthers visit the Blue and Gold at the Aréna J.-Louis-Lévesque Arena.
“After three weeks of practice, it will be exciting to be able to play two games,” said coach Derek Cormier, who is entering his third season behind the bench. “We aim to start the season on a good note and give energy to our players. The staff is also looking forward to seeing the team in a game. The X-Men came to play in Moncton last year and we're playing in their rink. The Panthers agreed to play us in Lamèque. These are two good teams that will give us a good indication of our team.”
For players from the Acadian Peninsula, Olivier-Luc Haché of Savoie-Landing and William Basque of Tracadie, it will be a return home after a decade of absence from the region to play on the ice in Lamèque.
“This is my third season with the Aigles Bleus and it's exciting,” said forward Olivier Luc Haché. “It's been almost 10 years since I played in Lamèque, and it will be a great to play in front of my family and friends. We do not regularly have this calibre of hockey in the Acadian Peninsula. It will be something special and we will show them our level of play. Many people have been talking to me about the Aigles for a long time and I can't wait to see faces I haven't seen in many years.”
William Basque is also a forward with the Blue and Gold who is also playing his second season in university hockey. “It's also been about 10 years since I played there,” he said. “There are many people who support us who come from this region. The fact we will play there, and they will be able to see us will make them happy. It will feel good to play again in the Acadian Peninsula. We hope to win and give them a good game. We are the only francophone university hockey team in Atlantic Canada, and we want to represent the Aigles Bleus in this region.”
Forward Mika Cyr and defenseman Vincent Lanoue will be out of the lineup due to injuries. The other players will have the chance to prove themselves on the ice during the games.
Young players and coaches from the region will benefit from the Aigles Bleus in the region by participating in training sessions organized with local organizations.
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