Press Release
Monday, March 28, 2022
A first professional goal for Francis Thibeault
Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus defencemen Francis Thibeault of Val d'Amour played his first two professional hockey games with the Trois-Rivières Lions of the East Coast Hockey League on the weekend.
Thibeault signed a deal with the team and scored his first goal in Sunday's 5-4 overtime loss to the South Carolina Stingrays, on the road. He found the back of the net at 6:44 of the third period. On Saturday, in his first game, he finished +3 in the Lions' 5-2 win over the Stingrays.
The Lions will host the Maine Mariners on Tuesday at home and the Adirondack Thunder on Wednesday.
The one who just completed his season with the blue and gold joined his new team in South Carolina, in the United States on Friday.
“I'm excited about this opportunity to play professionally,” said Francis Thibeault. “I thought my hockey was over with our elimination, but that chance presented itself and I decided to give it a try.”
“I wasn't sure what to expect, but I knew I could play in this league,” the defender added. “University hockey can lead to another level and I'm excited that the Aigles Bleus Program was able to offer me this opportunity. We must never give up. It's another step in my hockey journey that I couldn't miss. I am finishing my studies and my university career and university hockey leads to other opportunities. This will give me a glimpse of what might happen next year.”
The defensemen is happy that university hockey can open other doors. He doesn't know any other player with the Lions, but Maxime St-Cyr played a few games with the team earlier in the season.
Thibeault played two seasons with the Aigles Bleus and played 53 games with 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points.
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