24 déc 2014 –Times & Transcript Aigles Bleus have brotherly love

Two sets of brothers playing together on UdeM men’s hockey team TImES & TRAnSCRIPT The Université de Aigles Bleus can count on the talents of two pairs of brothers in the Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey conference this season. Identical twins Allain and Alex Saulnier of Cap-Pelé are in their second season with the Aigles Bleus, while Bas-Caraquet’s Rémi and Joël Blanchard are the other brothers on the roster. The Saulnier path to UdeM was very different than the Blanchard trail. The Saulniers have always played together on hockey teams during their careers, while the Blanchards are experiencing a first with the Aigles Bleus. Rémi Blanchard, 24, is four years older than his younger brother, so they never had the opportunity to play competitive hockey together on the same team until this season. “We are very happy to get the chance to play together for a first time in our lives,” said Rémi.“It is special to get the opportunity to play with your brother. I always wanted to get the chance, and this is our first opportunity.” The Blanchard brothers play different positions – Rémi, a fourth-year veteran, is a defenceman, and Joël, a rookie, is a forward. “It is very special for our parents to see us play on the same team. If we are on the ice at the same time, we look to find each other and try some plays. As the eldest, I try to show him some tricks, like how to score goals, but I have not succeeded well yet,” said Rémi with a grin. “We do not play side by side like the Saulniers, but I rush often, and we get the chance to pass and exchange the puck.” Rémi has tallied seven points in 15 games this season, while Joël has dressed for 14 games but has been held off the scoresheet. Rémi is completing his fourth and final year in accounting administration and will not return next season. “It is fun to play my last season with my brother,” he said. “We would never have played together if Joël had not made the team this season.” Rémi joined the Aigles Bleus after playing four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and Drummond-ville Voltigeurs. He would like to play in Europe next season. Joël, 20, made the UdeM team this season after spending much of the past three years with the Dieppe Commandos in the Maritime Junior Hockey League. He also played half a season with Acadie-Bathurst in the QMJHL. “It feels great to play with my brother. When I heard I was selected, I was very happy. I always wanted to play on the same team as him,”Joël said. “We are close and we do a number of things together. When we are together on the ice, we look for one another to make a play. It is easy for me to find him, even if nothing special clicks between us. “It is a pleasure playing together in front of family members. The team is also a family for us. We play at a very competitive high level. Our parents are happy to see us together – they get two for the price of one.” The identical twins, Allain and Alex Saulnier, are both second-year forwards and have always played together since their days in the atom division of minor hockey. They grew up side by side and have an inborn sense of where they are on the ice at all times. The Saulniers played for the Moncton Wildcats for four years in the QMJHL and were co-captains in their last season before joining the Aigles Bleus. “We are very lucky to have gotten the chance to play together for all those years,” said Allain. “We have always played on the same team and we are happy to be with the Aigles Bleus. We still have two seasons left and we will see what will happen. “It is always exciting to play together at a high and competitive level. We push one another to play better. It is a good attribute to be competitive, something clicks between us. Playing with the same player for all those years helps. We know where to position ourselves on the ice. It is an advantage to play with him. I think it would be odd if we did not play together.” The Saulnier brothers are currently in their fourth year of the administration program. They could look at enrolling in masters programs next year. They are tied for the lead in team scoring with 17 points each. “It is still exciting to play with my brother,” added Alex.“It is very special. We grew up together and we had the chance to play for the Wildcats and now the Aigles Bleus, in front of family and friends. It is exceptional to play besides your brother for 16, 17 years. “The chemistry is always there. We also played with (defenceman) Pierre Durepos and we know where we are on the ice when we play together. We are all brothers on the team; we are members of the Aigles Bleus family. We need to help one another and step up when needed.” Aigles Bleus head coach Serge Bourgeois is happy to have the four talented players on his team. “The team can count on the Saulnier twins because they click together and are best of friends,”he said. “Even with the four years’ difference between the Blanchard brothers, they are very effective on the ice. The older brother looks after his younger brother, and this is a special time for them. They are lucky to be able to play on the same team.” The Aigles Bleus ended the first semester in sixth place with a 6-8-2 record. They open the second semester at home on Jan. 9 against the St. Thomas Tommies at the J.-Louis-Lévesque Arena.

Brothers Alex and Allain Saulnier of Cap-Pelé and Joël and Rémi Blanchard of Bas-Caraquet are all members of the Université de men’s hockey team this season. PHOTO: UniversiTé de MOncTOn