Coach Denis Jean and a number of players make jump to next level

B2

By Peter Assaff

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The head coach of the Chaleur Subway Bantam AAA Lightning likes the way his team is shaping up this year.

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Peter Assaff/Northern Light Photo

Coach Denis Jean of the Chaleur Subway Bantam AAA Lightning talked with players Michael Hache (left) and Jacob Arsenault following a practice on the Richelieu Rink at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre.

Like nearly half of his players, Denis Jean moved up to the bantam level this year after coaching at the Peewee AAA level last year.

"We have eight first year bantams and 10 second year bantams," said Jean of his 18-member roster. Of those players, only three played for the Bantam Lightning last year.

"The team was combined with Restigouche last year," he explained. "This year we have only three returnees. Defenceman Jacob Arsenault, who will be one of our big leaders on the team; forward Michael Haché and the goaltender Joey Arseneau all played here last season. These three guys will be our key players, and they will play a big role on this team."

Jean said the other second year bantam players on the team all played at the AA level last year, making his club one of the least experienced teams in the New Brunswick Irving Oil Bantam AAA Hockey League this season.

"I think we will be in the middle of the pack," he said. "Our goal is to finish on top of the north (division). If we succeed in that goal, then we will be in the middle of the pack out of 11 teams in the province."

In addition to Chaleur, the North division includes teams from Restigouche, the Acadian Peninsula, Miramichi and the Edmundston area (North West). In all, teams will play a 30-game season, as well as tournaments and the provincials next spring. Jean said that means his players will suit up for close to 50 games.

He said the biggest thing the newcomers will have to adjust to is the length of games.

"It is not three 15-minute periods anymore," he said. "It is three 20-minute stop-time periods. It is just like an NHL (National Hockey League) game here. That is going to be an adjustment, but they are all guys who play two or three sports. Some of them play two sports a day, so they are in shape. It is just a matter of being in game shape."

Assisting Jean behind the bench this year are assistant coaches Greg Furlotte, who will help with the forwards; and Stephane Landry, who will help with the defence.

"Both have a few years experience," said Jean. "The main thing overall is to make sure that our kids learn and have fun. We need to do that. If they get a little confidence, then we can beat anybody in the province."

The Lighting have one win, one loss and two ties so far this season. After losing 2-1 to the Kennebecasis Valley Vito Rangers on Oct. 17, they tied the Nord Ouest Pioneers 7-7 the following day, before beating the Miramichi Rivermen 10-1 on Oct. 25. Last Saturday they battled back from a 3-1 third period deficit, to earn a 3-3 tie with the West Kent Aces.

"Honestly, I think that our defence is going to be our strength," said Jean. "We've got six good defenceman, including probably the top one in New Brunswick, which is Jacob (Arsenault). Three of them (Ben Ferguson, Mathieu Jean and Ryan LeBlanc) carried my Peewee AAA team. At the beginning of the year last year I thought we would be outmatched, but our defence kept the games very tight all year."

Chaleur is back on the ice this weekend, when they travel to Saint John for games against the Saint John Sea Dogs and the KV Rangers.