Page 7 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 6

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Volunteer Highlight:

Alain Savard, Cornwall Bantam “B” Colts

By Vincent Cama to be out there, want to practice.”

Savard is distinguished for
In the heyday of the dynasty-era another lesser-known reason: he cut
Habitants of the 70’s, two Montreal both of his sons from teams that he
living-legends, Yvon Cournoyer and was coaching, Alain Jr. in atom and
Jacques Lemaire got together to pass Sylvain in bantam. “I’m probably
on their hockey knowledge to the the only father ever to do that,” he
next generation. They, and some of said. His wife Rachel did not take
their NHL buddies partnered-up to kindly to it at first but after some

form the École de Hockey National initial hard feelings all is forgiven
at the McGill University MacDonald now. Sylvain, a goaltender and 13
College campus in Montreal. The at the time, explains: “My father,
NHL players didn’t show up often as honest as he is, had to pick the
but the kids still came from all over best players on the hockey club. We
Canada and the US to hone their had 13 goalies at the tryouts; I was
puck skills during the hockey off- just not top 2. It was hard at the time
Bantam Colts coach Al Savard (right) instructs young Nicholas Guibord
season. but now I know where my dad was
during practice at the Benson Centre. Photo by Vincent Cama
coming from.” Both boys continued
It was there that 17 year-old Alain
Savard, now head coach of the minor ranks in the mid-90’s, Savard or another – Jason Lepine, Allan playing hockey with their father’s
bantam “B” Cornwall Colts, caught was approached by Mike Viezel, a Charbonneau, Brennan Barker and full support but never again as their
the coaching bug. He worked at the scout and part owner with the then at least a dozen more Jr. “A” players. coach.
newly formed Erie Otters. Savard Savard also had Michael Blunden,
school for a couple summers as an Savard has his young bantams
instructor, often learning from the was coaching Viezel’s son Steven at who currently plays for the Montreal positioned nicely heading into the
legends themselves. “I’ve still got at the time and Viezel offered to bring Canadiens, in “AAA” while still in 2013 Winterfest Tournament, sitting

home a case of about five hundred the minor coach up to Erie for their Montreal. at second in the eastern standings
hockey cards from those days,” says training camp so he could meet with From 1999 to 2008 he ran a and fourth overall in the league.
Savard. “One series of cards is power GM Sherwood Bassin (formerly summer hockey school across the Savard likes to stay with his boys
skating, one series is attacking and assistant GM with the Quebec border in Massena, N.Y. where he for more than just one year and this
so on…they’re all drills, every one Nordiques and GM of the Cornwall was privileged to see a 9 year-old current group has many of the same
of them, and on the back of them Aces) and learn how the Otters did Zach Bogosian skate circles around faces as the one that he guided to
they tell you how to run the drills. things. “It was unbelievable,” said the older kids. first place in the peewee tournament

Savard of his experience “I learned a
“Now,” he says, smiling and Savard’s resume also includes a last year. “He knows his hockey and
lot. How they recruit their kids, how
pointing to his head, “it’s all here.” four year stint as an assistant coach in we know we can trust him a lot,”
they keep their books and keep tabs says team captain Alexandre Séguin,
A student of the game ever since on their players. That guy (Bassin) Jr. “B” with the Akwesasne Wolves 13. “If we do what we he tells us
his time at MacDonald College, has got stories about hockey you from 2001 to 2005, but he says that we’ll be successful and we’ve been

Savard, 56, has invested countless wouldn’t believe.” proved not as fulfilling as coaching in successful so far.”
the minor ranks. “I believe you play
hours pouring over hockey books,
All that experience now trickles
learning from some of the best minds as you practice,” Savard explains. It’s a long way from the old École
down to the young players Savard
in the hockey and volunteering his “In Jr. B the issue is you’d have 27 de Hockey National but for Alain
is responsible for, working in all age
expertise ever since his own boys kids on a team and only 12 would Savard, the knowledge and passion
groups from atom to major midget
– Alain Jr. (28) and Sylvain (27) – show up to practice…my strength is of those days’ lives on, as it does for
for the last 20-plus years. Many

were old enough to play. practice so I figured I would use it most who devote so much of their
of the region’s best players have
where somebody wanted it…at the life to hockey. They do what they do
While coaching in the Cornwall passed through his hands at one time minor hockey level those kids want because of their love of the game.

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