Aigles Recruiting Class Grows
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14 février 2018 – Acadie Nouvelle Aigles recruiting class grows SEAN HATCHARD TIMES & TRANSCRIPT Dieppe defenceman Alexandre Bernier is joining the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus next season. PHOTO: SAINT JOHN SEA DOGS Director of hockey operations Jean-François Damphousse believes better days are ahead for the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus. They can only go up from here. Coming off a three-win season and failing to make the Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey conference playoffs, the Aigles Bleus’ recruiting class for next season grew on Tuesday. The club announced it’s adding four 20-year-old defencemen - Vincent Lanoue, Tobie Paquette-Bisson, former Moncton Wildcat Olivier Desjardins and Dieppe’s Alexandre Bernier - for next year. Lanoue, Paquette-Bisson and Desjardins have all played at least four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Bernier, currently with the Edmundston Blizzard in 14 février 2018 – Acadie Nouvelle the Maritime Junior Hockey League, won a QMJHL President Cup championship and played in the Memorial Cup with the Saint John Sea Dogs last season. Moncton has already landed QMJHL standout goaltender Étienne Montpetit of the Victoriaville Tigres and former Baie- Comeau Drakkar star forward Maxime St-Cy, who red-shirted this season after playing two years professionally. “The defencemen we’ve signed are leaders on their teams. When you bring in leaders from that type of league, it brings credibility,”said Damphousse, who was hired by UdeM in the new role last May. “It’s the beginning and we have a long way to go to becoming a championship team. Moving forward, we can be in the game when it comes to recruitment. There’s no more excuses. In the last few months, we were able to attract great hockey players and we need to continue on that trend. It’s a good start and we’re excited about the future.” The Aigles Bleus finished in the basement of the seven-team AUS with a 3-24-3 regular-season record under first-year head coach Judes Vallée and missed the playoffs for just the fourth time in the last 15 years. Lanoue, who is wrapping up a five-year QMJHL career, has 36 points, including five goals, in 53 games with Victoriaville this season. In 291 QMJHL regular-season games with the Quebec Remparts, Val-d’Or Foreurs and Victoriaville, the Le Gardeur, Que., native has registered 134 points (20 goals, 114 assists). “Lanoue is a defenceman who brings offence to a team,” said Damphousse. “He was one of the top offensive defencemen in the Q last season, but he’s a guy who can play different roles and brings leadership.” Paquette-Bisson has two goals and 22 points in 46 games 14 février 2018 – Acadie Nouvelle with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada this season. His plus- 37 tops the league. The blueliner from Rosemère, Que., has also suited up with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Baie-Comeau during his four years in the QMJHL. “Paquette-Bisson has big size (6-foot-3, 193 pounds) and logs tons of minutes for Blainville-Boisbriand. His coaches only have good things to say about him,” Damphousse said. “He plays a great defensive game and has contributed more offensively this year than in the past. His all-around game is what we need.” Desjardins, who hails from Drummondville, Que., has tallied nine points, including three goals, in 52 games between Moncton and the Charlottetown Islanders this season, his fourth in the QMJHL. He started the campaign in Moncton before he was traded to Charlottetown in October. In 247 QMJHL regular-season games with Val-d’Or, Acadie- Bathurst Titan, Moncton and Charlottetown. Desjardins has recorded 58 points (11 goals, 47 assists). “Desjardins has tons of experience. His plus-minus for his Q career is plus-67, so he’s always been on the defensive side, but he can also chip in offensively,” said Damphousse. “He’s done an amazing job with Charlottetown this year bringing a veteran presence.” Bernier played a year and a half with Saint John in the QMJHL before heading to Edmundston in the MHL, where he has four goals and 31 points in 42 games this season. He previously played for the Dieppe Commandos in the MHL. A student at UdeM, Bernier follows in the footsteps of his father, Marc, and brother, Mathieu, who both played with the Aigles Bleus. “Bernier is one of the best defence-men in junior A this year and he contributed to the President Cup win last year with 14 février 2018 – Acadie Nouvelle Saint John,” said Damphousse.“He’s got a ton of experience.” Damphousse said UdeM is hoping to add a few forwards for next season. .