Wasting no time in finding a replacement for the surprising leave of Jean Francois Labbe, the Cornwall River Kings announced today that they hired Robert Desjardins as their new head coach. Labbe left the team following a job offer near his hometown in Quebec.
Robert Desjardins is no stranger to the hockey world and to Quebec hockey in general. When it comes to coaching, Robert “Bob” Desjardins will bring leadership, character and hard work to the team. He already brings coaching experience having been the bench boss for the Marquis de Jonquiere and the former Saint Hyacinthe Chiefs of the LNAH.
Desjardins is a hockey man who has been around rinks a long time. He knows the business inside and out and will be able to provide the players the leadership and spark to ignite the team on the ice. After the long summer months of controversy, this could just be the thing the River Kings need.
Even more big changes are in store for the Cornwall River Kings as they enter their second LNAH season this September. This season is proving to be one of change, speed, and aggression. Be ready to rock the Ed Lumley Arena fans because this wild ride is just starting.
JF Labbe. (Photo credit: Jean Doyon, Sorel Tracy Magazine)
Already dealing with a blockbuster trade that sent one of their fan favourites in Mario Joly to the Valleyfield Braves, the Cornwall River Kings were dealt yet another blow today as it was announced that interim coach Jean Francois Labbe has resigned.
Labbe had signed on after original coach Al Wagar left the team earlier this year. After viewing his coaching abilities last year with Trois Rivieres, Cornwall felt he was the right fit to lead the team. In a phone interview with Jean Doyon of Sorel Tracy Magazine, Labbe made this statement:
“Last week, I received an offer I could not refuse. I am responsible for a Sport-Études du Triolet High School in Sherbrooke. I’ll take care of the Bantam AA team, in addition to courses in hockey concentration. This is a full time job that will allow me to work in my area.”
You can’t really blame the guy for leaving. Yes, he would’ve been an integral help to Cornwall’s second LNAH season but a pay raise and a chance to work close to family is an offer that nobody in their right mind would turn down. This has nothing to do with internal politics.
Winning the Calder Cup with Hersey.
Labbe has had enough time in the spotlight with a very lengthy goaltending career. After completing his junior years in the QMJHL he went on star in the AHL with the Cornwall Aces, Hartford Wolf Pack and Syracuse Crunch among others. He even had minor stints with the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets. With no North American teams calling his name, he headed over to Europe and played in the German Elite League and in Austria. Last season, Labbe started his coaching career in the LNAH with Trois Rivieres.
The hunt is on for the next coach of the Cornwall River King. They better have a few in mind as training camp and exhibition games are slated to get started soon.
Late last Friday the Cornwall River Kings dealt fan favourite Mario Joly up the road to the new expansion team of the Valleyfield Braves.
Of course, there was immediate backlash and who’s to say is wasn’t warranted. However, when it comes down to reasoning in a trade, you may never find out the real reason. Maybe management decided it was time to move on; maybe it was the player. You can speculate all you want and come up with a million reasons. (Hell, when Rod Brind’Amour was with the Flyers, he was traded to Carolina because Eric Lindros was having an affair with his wife. But I digress.) The fact of the matter is, what’s done is done and it’s time to move forward.
The River Kings are entering their second LNAH season this year. While they bolstered their line up last year to make an impact, things can change in an instant. With a wild and bumpy road that’s been the past few months and as a second year team, its only right to work your way up the league with experience and determination. You’re not going to win the championship overnight. Let me repeat that for certain people.
YOU’RE NOT GOING TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP OVERNIGHT. But, what do I know. Anyway.
Yvan Busque.
In return, the River Kings picked up Yvan Busque and Sebatien Payette. Busque was acquired by Valleyfield from St. Georges where he notched 26 points in 28 games. Compare that to Joly’s 16 in 31. (Yes I realize he was injured for the most part too.) Busque has put up solid numbers for his 4 years with St. Georges and a year long stint in Austria.
Payette just finished his junior career in the QMJHL with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. He’s a rugged defenseman who picked up 32 points in 54 games. A solid final year.
There’s more to a hockey team then just grit, strength and toughness. Case in point, Mario Joly. Joly was linked to the Coventry Blaze of the EIHL the past two seasons and it wasn’t because of his fists. Most leagues are trying to move away from that aspect. The game just isn’t the same anymore and it’s time people start realizing.
Whether you like it or not Cornwall won that trade. But what do I know right?
While this summer has been relatively quiet on the River Kings front, today was handed a piece of news in the form of a shocker. Tough guy and fan favourite Mario Joly has been traded up highway 401 to the Valleyfield Braves.
Although no official statement has come from the team yet, it was Joly himself who announced his being traded on the Cornwall River Kings facebook fan page.
Joly is no stranger to LNAH rinks having spent the past four years in the league with stops in Saguenay, Windsor, Cornwall and now Valleyfield. Starting his hockey career off with the Hull Olympiques in the QMJHL, hockey has brought Joly all over North America including an amazing 2 year run with the Odessa Jakalopes of the Central Hockey League.
In his one year he spend with the Cornwall River Kings, Joly notched 16 points in 31 games. However, he was more known for his fists as he wracked up 110 penalty minutes. It will be interesting to see who, if anything, Cornwall gets in return.
Just this week the city has agreed to keep the River Kings in Cornwall for another two years. Sharing rink time and space with the Junior A Cornwall Colts, Cornwall hockey fans should be delighted that they have two teams competing for them.
Training camp opens up for the River Kings on September 14th and 15th followed by four exhibition games at the end of September and beginning of October. Hold on to your hats Cornwall, it’s going to be a wild ride!
Jon “Nasty” Mirasty is one player you’d rather have on your team then to be playing against him. In his 10 year professional career which has seen him play all over the globe, he has racked up a total of 2571 penalty minutes.
Case in point: He’s not one to be messed with.
Jon Mirasty is a native of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan and got his start in the WHL. He turned pro in 2003 with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL and the legend was born. I was intrigued by his style and his brief foray into the MMA world.
March Hockey: You’ve played in numerous leagues but the one I’m most intrigued by is the KHL. How does the game over in Russia compare to that of North America?? Different atmosphere??
Jon Mirasty:Russia was a great experience. The game is a lot different. You play on a bigger ice surface which opens things up. On the physical aspect, guys there shy away from the rough stuff. Instead of booing, fans whistle. You don’t know if they are cheering for you or against you. It was very hard for me because I love to fight, and there I’d get into only 4 or 5 fights a season. All in all, it was a great time!
MH: I’ll ask right off the bat too, who’s the toughest guy you’ve ever fought?
JM:The toughest guy I ever fought is a pretty hard question to ask. I’ve fought so many guys that were very tough in different ways. Memorable guys that stand out to me would be guys like Steve MacIntyre, Derek Boogard, Jeremy Yablonski. I have to admit, Steve Bosse hit pretty hard too! But like I said, all the guys I fought were pretty tough and I respect them for doing one of the harder jobs in the game.
MH: You’ve spent some time in the LNAH. How does that league compare to other ones you’ve played in? Do you think it’s changed since you’ve left?
JM: I had a great time playing in the LNAH. Obviously the skill level wasn’t on par with the KHL or AHL, but I feel that a lot of people under estimate the league. From what I remember, there were some very good players, along with some very tough men. I love old school hockey but sometimes the fights/brawls got a little carried away. It was a very exciting league where fans got a little bit of everything. I haven’t played there in over 6 years so things may have changed.
MH: Growing up as a kid, who was your biggest influence on your game and why?
JM: A lot of people helped me get to where I got, but the biggest influence would have been my dad, Gary.
MH: Any chance will see you in an MMA ring again?? What was that experience like??
JM:MMA was awesome. I have a lot of respect for those athletes. It is completely different than fighting on skates. I did not prepare properly and was not ready to compete. It takes a lot of devotion and time to train. With my new business adventures, I doubt I’ll have the time to ever attempt to compete again. I will train though.
MH: If you could play (or fight haha) against anyone, past or present, who would it be and why??
JM: I’ve had great battles against many guys and would look forward to doing it again against any one of them. Let my son put a few years on, and maybe I’ll try him.
The team who hosted the draft is up next on our look at the team’s faired.
HC Carvena wasted no time and drafted a player who is well known in LNAH and hockey circles, Jon Mirasty. “Nasty” Mirasty has been with Sorel-Tracy years ago when it was know as the Sorel-Tracy Mission. He then made it to the show with the Columbus Blue Jackets and spent sometime in the AHL with the Peoria Rivermen and Syracuse Crunch before making his way over to the KHL.
Yes. The KHL.
Mirasty was signed by Vityaz Chekhov and played a total of 30 games. He was suspended for 15 of them for things like this:
And this:
Yes, that’s minor for North American standards but I guess they don’t take fighting in the KHL too lightly.
Anyway, HC Carvena did draft a couple other guys, like Danny Masse and Steve Label but…..Mirasty is the only one you should be worried about. I am.
The newest expansion team to come into the LNAH is the Valleyfield Braves who is sure to start a rivalry with their “down the 401” brothers in the Cornwall River Kings.
At the LNAH expansion draft, the Braves aquired a total of 28 players from the 7 remaining teams. Here is who became property of Valleyfield and where they were taken from:
1. Cornwall River Kings: Karl Fournier, Shawn Collymore, Steve McJannett and Bryan Luker
2. Marquis de Jonquiere: David Masse, Pierre-Luc Emond, Maxime Daigneault, Eric Laplante
3. Riviere du Loup 3L: Jeremie Gouchie, Philippe Lauze, Pier-Olivier Pelletier, Drew Paris
4. Sorel Tracy HC Carvena: Alex Alepin, Bryan Main, Guillaume Monast, Mike Varhaug
5. St Georges Cool FM: Philippe Seguin, Cory Pecker, Vincent Grondin, Remi Royer
6. Thetford Mines Isothormic: Jean Charles Charette, Pierre Luc Lessard, Francis Lemieux, Eric Lecompte
7: Trois Rivieres Caron et Guay: Charles Fontaine, Michael Pregent, Anthony Mezzagno, David Rose
The Braves should be able to ice a fairly decent team from this collective amount of players. It’ll be interesting to see what happens on the ice in Cornwall this season.
Alex Bourret is a feisty right-winger who grew up in Quebec. Being drafted 16th overall in the first round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft to the Atlanta Thrashers, Bourret has played in many leagues both here and across the pond. Last season he started off with the Cornwall River Kings and then finished up in Russia. This season, he’s back in the River Kings line up for his second year.
March Hockey: How does the style of of play in Russia compare to that of North America like the LNAH or ECHL for example? What was it like with the language barrier?
WIth Brno Kometa of the Czech Republic.
Alex Bourret: I’ve played in Russia, South Korea, Czech Republic and the language barrier has always been hard (they don’t speak any English or they’re not willing to try). It’s a different game overseas, ice is bigger and it is less physical but they can play hockey that for sure.
MH: Wait a minute….South Korea?! What was THAT like?
AB:They treat you real good over there. Japan, China, nicest hotels and private jets; Everything! But hockey is another story…
MH: Are the fans/players/teams just us passionate as us Canadians are for the game?
AB:Yes they are!! Some don’t know much about hockey; It’s more a big party for them but when you hear 15 000 people screaming for 2 hours, it’s great. Gives you a lot of energy.
MH: Growing up who was your biggest influence on your style of play??
AB:I always compare myself to guys like Sean Avery and Darcy Tucker. I like the way they play and they are not the biggest guys either.
MH: You’re a bit of a fighter, who’s the toughest player to go toe to toe with you?
With the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL.
AB:I remember one night in junior playing in Rimouski against Sidney Crosby. I was all over him and at one point Eric Nelson, (one of the tough guys at the time), asked me to go. Probably to scare me, I told him “Let’s go big guy!” with a BIG smile. I did pretty good on that one.
MH: And finally, if you could play with any player past or present, who would it be and why?
AB:Probably Thomas Beauregard. He was my linemate with the Wichita Thunder a year ago and we did good together. He is a sniper and I’m more of a hard-working forward.
Isothermic de Thetford Mines is next up as we take a look at the LNAH Draft.
The first player to become property of Thetford Mines is Kevin Veilleux. Wanted by almost every team in the league, Veilleux as draft 51st overall in the 2nd round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by non other then the Pittsburgh Penguins. Veillieux played with Pittsburgh’s affiliate in Wilkes-Barre Scanton and also spent some time in the East Coast Hockey League with the Wheeling Nailers. (Yes, that’s a real team.) A 6 foot right winger, Veillieux is a great pick up for the Isothermic.
A great pickup came in the 6th round when Thetford selected goaltender Gabriel Girard. Girard has played the last 5 season in the Q with Shawinigan, and even has a Memorial Cup title under his belt.
(Photo: texasstarshockey.com)
Hubert Labrie also became property of Thetford Mines in the 7th round. This guy is a huge defensive pickup. He’s spent a lot of time in the Dallas Stars system and I’ve kept track of his record while writing for the Texas Stars last year. (Shameless plug: head to http://www.blackoutdallas.com) He finished out the season with the Idaho Steelheads and I’m thrilled at the chance to be getting to see him.
From my standpoint, Thetford Mines has gotten a lot of experienced players in their draft. Their scouts did something right.
Next team up in our look at the 2013 LNAH Draft is the Cool FM from St. Georges.
Parenteau in the white. (Photo: theguardian.pe.ca)
St. Georges have lost a few veteran players due to various reasons so they were looking to beef up their roster. Their first pick came in the form of forward Guillaume Parenteau. Parenteau just finished off his collegiate career with the University Of Moncton amassing a total of 224 points in his 5 years.
Next player of note is Kevin Dupont who spent 7 years in the QMJHL. A left handed two way defenceman, he just finished up last season with McGill University.
Goaltender Bobby Nadeau is another notable draft. Spending some time in the ‘Q’, he just finished up his studies at Halifax’s Dalhousie University. Name sound familiar? He’s the one Patrick Roy’s son literally dismantled in a 2008 brawl.
In all St.Georges drafted 11 players, 6 forwards, 3 defenceman and 2 goaltenders. A few of them are definately looking at signing with the team.
Robert Desjardins is no stranger to the hockey world and to Quebec hockey in general. When it comes to coaching, Robert “Bob” Desjardins will bring leadership, character and hard work to the team. He already brings coaching experience having been the bench boss for the Marquis de Jonquiere and the former Saint Hyacinthe Chiefs of the LNAH.
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