Page 36 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 78

36 Issue #78 May 2019 www.sportsenergynews.com

presents Then and Now:

Cornwall Colts’ Edition…Nick Brunet

By Carrie Seguin town and the Si Miller arena was
a shrine,” reminisces Brunet,
“I have only the fondest who was born and raised in the
of memories when thinking city of Cornwall, but then later
of my years playing for the moved out of town. “Though
Colts,” states Nicholas Brunet, we moved to Quebec City and

former Cornwall Colts’ player. also Montreal, Cornwall is my
“Looking back, the hockey hometown,” he states.
and the championship play Brunet was a part of the Colts’
was really great, but it’s the team when the Wagar family
relationships that were created assumed ownership of the

during those years that really
Junior A team. “The team was
stand out.”
on the brink of folding and the
Brunet played for the Colts Wagars stepped in. They did it
Junior A team during the to help the community and all
1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons, of those playing for the team.
skating with players such as Looking at where the Colts
Brendon Knight, Brent Lauzon, are today as an organization,
Pictured are Nick Brunet with his wife, Melissa, and three sons: (L-R)
Kacey McDonnell, and Alain it’s really impressive. The Noah, Alex, and Isaac. As a family, they enjoy time spent at the beach
Quenneville. Brunet played 58 ownership groups that have and on the golf course. Photo Submitted
games for the Colts. “I’m still stepped in over the years have national corporation and certainly enjoy it. We spent the

in contact with Dave McNally. done a tremendous job with it.” that’s why I studied business. last 5 years in Dubai where I
And I follow and chat with
Following his Junior A days, University was an absolute blast helped coach their team, when
many of the other guys through Brunet attended the University and such a rich experience. It’s I wasn’t travelling.”
social media.”
of Ottawa where he focused because of my years at Ottawa As a hockey player turned
Brunet had his sights set on his studies around business. U that I am where I am today.
hockey dad, Brunet shares
playing for the Colts early into There, he played a season with I would highly recommend to
some perspective and advice.
his hockey career. “When I was the Gee-Gees. “I had quite a any junior player to aim for the
“Hockey is such a great game, a
15 years old, I played for the few choices to play NCAA, scholarship route - it’s important
really fun game. It’s important
Char Lan Jr. B Rebels. Even but I ultimately decided to to remember your hockey-
for parents to remember this and
then, I had a goal of playing focus more on education than playing days are limited, but
to let their kids love the game
for the Colts and winning a on hockey. Though I loved the education is limitless.”
without the pressures that are
championship.” During his game, I felt I would be better off
Nowadays, working and often put on them. Parents need
time with the Colts, the team focusing on what would pay the
with a family of his own, Nick to remember that it’s not about
was in the mix during playoff bills later on down the line.”
admits not having much time “making it to the Big Leagues”
action, with the team having Brunet attributes his successful for playing hockey. “I haven’t - it’s about the relationships
finished 5th and 1st respectively career as a businessperson to laced up my skates to play in 15 their kids will build during
during league play.
his university days. “I always years. I do spend a lot of time the journey and how they will
“Playing in Cornwall was a felt I would end up owning around the game though. I have apply the lessons learned along
true privilege. It’s a great hockey or working for a large, multi- three sons who play hockey and the way to the rest of their life.”