Press Release
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Men's hockey: 3 players with the Aigles Bleus
Coach Derek Cormier of the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus is pleased to announce that three players will be added to his Atlantic University Sport men's hockey team for the 2023-2024 season.
Defenseman Marc-Antoine Mercier, 20, goaltender Olivier Adam, 20, and forward Yannic Bastarache, 21, have signed their U SPORT letter of intent to line up with the Aigles Bleus.
Originally from Forestville, North Shore, Marc-Antoine Mercier is 6 feet 4 inches, 200 pounds, and played 3 seasons of major junior hockey with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. “I wanted to continue my academic journey while playing a very high caliber of hockey,” says Mercier. “As soon as I visited, I loved it and I understood that it was the right fit for me to continue my journey at the Université de Moncton. I want to help my team win by continuing to improve as a player.”
Mercier is enrolled in mechanical engineering at the Moncton campus. He had 1 goal and 12 assists for 13 points in 66 games last campaign and one assist in 7 playoff games. The Drakkar was eliminated by the Moncton Wildcats in the first round. He had 3 goals and 27 assists in 3 seasons. “My defensive game and physique are assets and I'm calm on the ice. I would like to improve my skating, my agility, and my offensive game.”
Goaltender Olivier Adam is 6 feet 3 inches 176 pounds tall and played 4 seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Originally from Drummondville, he played 25 games with the Sherbrooke Phoenix maintaining a .912 average. He played 4 playoff games with .884. He started the 2022-2023 season with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, having played 20 games and a .908 average. He enjoyed two seasons with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and one and a half with the Drakkar.
Forward Yannic Bastarache is 6 feet 1 inch, 186 pounds. A native of Bouctouche, he played the last two seasons with the Grand Falls Rapids of the Maritime Junior Hockey League. “I'm joining the Aigles Bleus because I want to finish my bachelor's degree in administration and play hockey at the same time,” he explained. “Playing hockey with the Aigles Bleus is an ideal situation for me. I hope to win a championship and have an important role with the team.”
Bastarache has been playing hockey since he was 4 years old. He is enrolled in the Administration-Finance program. “With the Aigles Bleus, I want to become a better player by working hard every day. I want to become a faster and stronger player. I have a good shot and I pass the puck very well with my sense of play. I'm an impact player in the offensive zone as well as in the defensive zone. The hockey caliber is very high and that interests me.” He is also a good golfer.
He played two seasons with the Acadie Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Major Junior League. He had 79 points with 28 goals and 51 assists in 52 games with the Rapids last year in the regular season.
Return to Press release