Press Release
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Thomas Cusson and Félix-Anthony Éthier join the Aigles Bleus
Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus coach Derek Cormier is pleased that forward Thomas Cusson, 21, and goaltender Félix-Anthony Éthier, 21, have signed their U SPORTS letter of intent to line up with the blue and gold for the upcoming Atlantic University Sport men's hockey campaign.
Measuring 5 feet 8 inches, 165 pounds, Thomas Cusson is originally from Cowansville, Quebec. A left winger, he played for the Hawkesbury Junior A Hawks last year. In 20 games with the team, he scored 19 goals and the same number of assists for 38 points in the season and 7 points (3 and 4) in 10 playoff games. He also played with the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior League and two seasons with the Cégep André-Laurendeau Boomerang.
"I wanted to join the Aigles Bleus because of their good academic and sport programs. I aim to win a championship with the team.” Cusson has been playing hockey for 17 years and is known for his speed. He aims to improve his physical game and is enrolled in the kinesiology program at the Moncton campus.
Goaltender Félix-Anthony Éthier is from Deux-Montagnes, Quebec. He is 6 feet 4 inches tall, 200 pounds. He won the Maritime Junior League championship with the Summerside Western Capitals last spring. He started the season with the Truro Bearcats before being traded to the Capitals. He played 12 games with both teams and maintained a 12-6-1 record and an .884 average with Truro and a .922 average with Summerside. He played two and a half seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.
“I made the decision to join the Aigles Bleus because they offered me the opportunity to join my studies with sport,” said the tall goalkeeper. “After a few junior seasons in the Maritimes, I was able to see that the Atlantic University division offers high-level hockey, which will allow me to continue to evolve in my career. At the Université de Moncton, i’m able to study in French, my mother tongue.”
Éthier is looking forward to offering his team a chance to win every game he plays. His long-term objective is to finish his studies before making the leap with a professional team or to a work in his field of study.
“I put on the skates for the first time when I was 5 years old and I always knew I wanted to be a goalie,” he added. “My size in the net, my attitude, my work ethic, my sense of hockey, my flexibility and agility are my strengths. I want to improve my core stability to allow me to make one additional move and thus one more save on quick proximity plays.”
He will pursue his studies in mechanical engineering and knows that this is tight, very tough field hockey, while having talented players.
“We are very pleased to add Thomas and Félix-Anthony to our team,” added Hockey Operations Director, Luc Michaud. “Cusson will certainly bring depth to our defense. His speed and sense of play will allow him to quickly adapt to the caliber of play in our league. He will complete our group of forwards.”
Goalkeeper coach Adrien Lemay knows Éthier well and speaks favorably about him. He is eager to start working with him. “Felix has a good build and a good technical base for success in our league. He has continued to progress in his journey since his debut with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. We are counting on him to support Montpetit this year while continuing his progression.”
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