Concordia Journal Home > Archives > October 9, 2008 issue >

Stingers hope to skate to the finals 

By alyce pumphrey

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It’s time to share what may be this hockey town’s best kept secret.

“The calibre of university hockey is excellent these days,” said Pat Hickey, a former Sir George Williams student who now covers the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL for the Montreal Gazette.

“The players are so much better these days because a lot of the players have played major junior first. They come back, they take advantage of the scholarship programs that are available through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the Ontario Hockey League.”

For the 2008-09 season, the Concordia Stingers men’s hockey team has attracted several talented, sturdy and towering players coming out of the elite junior level.

Newcomers to watch include right wing Nicolas D’Aoust who played with Val d’Or and Drummondville in the QMJHL. He wrapped up his junior career with St. Eustache of the Quebec junior AAA league where he had 54 goals and 55 assists for 109 points in 51 games last season.

Another key rookie is Nicolaus Knudsen. At six-foot-four, 215-pounds this defenceman will be a strong presence in front of the Concordia net. He has four years of Western Hockey League experience with Saskatoon, Tri-City and Lethbridge.

With some strong first-year players and a good returning group, the Stingers enjoyed a successful preseason. They defeated the Western Mustangs and Trois-Rivières Patriotes, and were edged out in overtime by the Brock Badgers.

Concordia is confident it has the power, the right mindset and the kind of discipline and leadership to go far this season.

The journey begins with the Stingers’ 28 regular-season games—the first of which will be hosted by their cross-town rivals the McGill Redmen on Friday at 7 p.m. at the McConnell Arena.

Concordia’s home-opener game is this Saturday against the Carleton Ravens at 5 p.m. at the Ed Meagher Arena. The next big game at home is Sunday, Oct. 26 at 3 p.m. versus the Ottawa Gee-Gees.

“We’d love it for all the fans to come and support us,” said veteran forward Mike Baslyk who will be counted on to provide a scoring punch for the Stingers.

“When we have a packed house and there’s a lot of noise in the rink it’s fun to play,” added Stinger goaltender Maxime Joyal.

Head coach Kevin Figsby is predicting an exciting season for the Stingers and their fans.

“Right from training camp,” he said, “I've seen a group of players willing to stick together and put in the work. They won't be denied by not working hard. That's a sign of tremendous character, and I think that's the type of team we’re going to display this year.

“Above all, I think we’re going to be an exciting team to watch.”