Vankleek Hill Cougars gear up for new season

With the 2009-2010 Eastern Ontario Junior C Hockey League (EOJCHL) season approaching quickly, expectations are high for the Vankleek Hill club.
After several years of finishing in the basement in the league standings, the Vankleek Hill Cougars turned it around and finished second in their division last year. They beat St-Isidore in the first round of the playoffs but eventually lost against the league champions Embrun Panthers.
"Our strength will be our skating and our offense," manager Pascal Laliberte said.
"Many players will be back. We had a young club last year and those young players will surely take it up a notch when they step on the ice this year. We will definitely compete."
Maxime Hurtubise, PO Poulin, Hugues Chevrier and Yann Neveu will lead a very potent offence, their manager said. There will be a fierce battle between players to earn a top spot on the roster.
Meanwhile, last year's top scorer might not make a return.
Local player JF Dubois hasn't confirmed his return with the club yet, Laliberte said.
On defense, the club is expecting Ryan Bigelow, Alex Simard and Derek Ravary to be leaders on the blue line. "There are open spots on defense with overagers Marc Couture and Shayne Deguire retiring. Every team in the league is looking for defensemen," the manager said. "We do have several young local players that will try and make the roster this year. But like every year, Junior C teams need to wait for the Junior B teams to make their cuts."

BOUCHER BACK IN NETS

The team's number-one goalie last year is returning for a second season.
"Marc-André [Boucher] did a wonderful job last year finishing first in the league for wins and minutes played. He's a great leader and hates to lose," Laliberte said.
Coach Andrew Markle will also be back behind the bench. Although he had a good first season, Laliberte said his rookie coach didn't always have it easy. He was coaching many young players who were skating for the first time in juniors.
However, the club said it is confident that he will accomplish an excellent job again this year.
The season starts September 19 when the Cougars face the East Ottawa Thunder at the annual EOJCHL Showcase in Aylmer.
The first home game is scheduled for September 26 at 7:30 p.m. against the St-Isidore Eagles.

GOLF TOURNAMENT

The annual Cougars Junior C golf tournament will be held on Sunday, September 6 at La Cité Golf Course in Hawkesbury.
There are still tee-off times available.
For information on registration, visit the Cougars website at www.vankleekhillcougars.net.

TRAINING CAMP

A Cougars training camp will be held September 5, 8 and 10 with exhibition games at home on September 12 against St-Isidore.
The Cougars will be in St-Isidore the next night facing the Eagles.
Information on the training camp can also be found on the club's website.