Press Release
Tuesday, October 04, 2016
Hockey Aigles Bleus will not have it easy this season
The 2016-2017 edition will not have it easy as all teams in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) have done their job of recruiting better players with hopes of winning the AUS Championship, in February.
Coach Serge Bourgeois will have a reduced roster for the first games because of injuries. ''We will need to work hard and play disciplined hockey,'' said Bourgeois in planning his first game. ''Our objective is being one of the three AUS teams at the Canadian Championships, in Fredericton. We will have to remain healthy to get there.''
Bourgeois can bet on 11 forwards, seven defencemen and three goaltenders including veteran keeper Brandon Thibeau, in his third season, rookie Alexi Thibaudeau and Jeremy Gallant. Pierre Durepos and Danik Emond should be the pillars at defence along with veterans Samuel Roussy, Jean-Sébastien Fournier, Patrick Huard, Victor Beaulac, Sébastien Gauthier and rookie Justin Vanier-Guénette. Gauthier and Guénette will miss the game because of an injury. The offence will be led by last season scoring champions, twins Alex and Allain Saulnier, with Jean-François Plante. They will be seconded by Robbie Graham, Samuel LeBlanc and Joël Blanchard, on the second line and Mitchell Robillard, Marc-Anthony Therrien and Mathieu-Martin, on the third. Mathieu Bernier and Steve Lebel will miss the first game.
''This will be my fourth season in a blue and gold uniform,'' stated co-captain Alex Saulnier. ''This season will not be easy because all teams are capable of wining. It will be a battle in every game because nothing will be easy. We will have to work harder than the other teams to win. We do not have the most talented team, but we can be better in other sectors. We have had problems scoring in preseason games, so we need to focus on our defensive play and be ready for every game.''
Both Saulnier twins will act as team captains this season, one away and the other at home. ''I expect to play a lot with the numerous injuries,'' added Saulnier. ''The coach is asking me to play a bigger role and I accept that. The younger players will also have to step up and take their responsibilities.''
University president and vice-chancellor, Raymond Théberge, will drop the puck at the official face-off to launch the new season.
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