Page 38 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 62

38 January 2018 Issue #62
Colts Then and Now – Jason Lepine
By Carrie Seguin
Jason Lepine played for Banska Bystricia of
Slovakia, one of the 19 teams Lepine played for
throughout his hockey career.
Photo Submitted
orn and raised in Cornwall, Jason Lepine felt
Bhonoured to play for the Cornwall Colts. “I
got to play in front of family and friends. That’s a
great feeling,” Lepine explains.
The 32-year-old played defence for the Junior
A Colts for 4 full seasons (2002-2006), three of
which he was among the top 10 point-getters on
the team. During his last season with the Colts,
Lepine earned 65 points in 56 games.
“I had good skill, but I wasn’t the biggest or
fastest. I had to remember to keep things simple,
rely on my skills, and always work hard,” says
Lepine, when talking about his success as a Junior
A player. “I learned how important it was to listen
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presents Then and Now:
to and work with my coaches.” a small fish in a big pond. If you want to make
Lepine has seen a lot of ice during his hockey it anywhere, you have to work hard. You have
career. He has played in 14 leagues, including to be able to juggle, manage your time between
the Central Hockey League (CHL), International school, working out, practising and playing, and
Hockey League (IHL), the American Hockey socializing. It’s all important and shapes you for
League (AHL), the East Coast Hockey League later.”
(ECHL) and several European-based leagues. In Today, Lepine continues to navigate the hockey
total, Lepine has been a member of 19 teams. world. He is an assistant coach for the Ontario
“Every experience was unique and offered Hockey Academy (OHA) U18 AAA program.
something to learn. Playing for the Toledo Walleye Ironically, the head coach of the OHA team is
was one of my favourite playing experiences. Brent Loney. “He coached me as a Colt!” exclaims
Toledo was a great city - it had great fans. The Lepine.
team got along great. There were no cliques – It seems as though the former Colts’ defenceman
everyone was close. We weren’t the best team in has come full circle. “I remember the friendships
the league, but it was always fun when we played,” I made playing with the Colts. We had some great
states Lepine. times! Today, I play pick-up hockey with a lot of
“Playing with Kladno of the Czech Republic them: Boots, McBride, Gove, Winchester…and
was great. It was my first time overseas, playing so there are others. We still hit the ice together when
far away. I was so close to Prague. It’s a beautiful we can.”
city. Playing there, I proved to myself I could do Lepine has settled down in his hometown. “I
it, make a go of things and take my career further am a family man now,” he says proudly of his
and play for a longer period of time.” family. “I’m settled and I think I owe some of my
When asked how playing for the Colts helped success to the fact that I got to play local and then I
him during his earlier hockey days and the start of came back home with the growth and experience I
his post Junior A career, Lepine explains, “There gained playing hockey away from home.”
are a lot of hockey players out there. You are just Full circle indeed.
Pictured are Lepine with his wife, Tara, and their 6-month-old son. Photo Submitted
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