Press Release
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Étienne Montpetit Captures Rookie of the Year Award
In his first year with the Moncton program, Montpetit had an Atlantic University Sport (AUS)-leading save percentage of .923 and a nation-topping 793 saves through 25 games played in the regular season, including three shutouts. Before joining the Aigles Bleus, he played for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Victoriaville Tigres and Val-d’Or Foreurs.
Montpetit backstopped the Moncton squad to a fifth-place finish in the AUS regular season standings. The Aigles Bleus’ success this season follows a challenging 2017-2018 that saw the team finish last and miss the series with just three wins.
Montpetit is the first Moncton player to take home the national Rookie of the Year honour since Eric Galarneau, in 1989.
“What a season Étienne Montpetit had as a rookie goaltender with the Aigles Bleus,” said Moncton head coach Judes Vallée. “He was the main force that enabled our team to win a number of games this season with many key and spectacular saves. If he sees the puck, he will stop it. He was well known in the AUS and all teams were aware of his abilities. He saw many shots this season and he never quit.”
“This is quite an honour,” said Montpetit. “We had a nice progression this season as a team and I was not alone in that. My teammates worked hard this year and this individual award is a bonus for me. I am satisfied, and this motivates me to prove to the other teams in Canada that we are working towards a national championship and that is our objective.”
Montpetit was also named on the U SPORTS all-rookie team and on the second all-star team as goaltender. Montpetit had obtained three honours with AUS: rookie of the year, member of the first all-star team and member of the rookie all-star team.
Ottawa forward Brendan Jacome won the R.W. Pugh Fair Play Award as the most sportsmanlike player. Alberta blueliner Jason Fram and Saskatchewan netminder Taran Kozun took home defenceman of the year and goaltender of the year, respectively, while Fredericton blueliner Randy Gazzola earned the Dr. Randy Gregg Award for Student-Athlete Community Service. Ottawa bench boss Patrick Grandmaître won the Father George Kehoe Memorial Award as Fox 40 Coach of the Year.
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