Page 7 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 92

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #92 September 2020 7

presents BEHIND

THE BENCH

An Interview with Rick Lalonde

supposed to, it is very special. Or watching
By Molly Kett Recently, Lalonde has been coaching
OHA’s Midget AAA in the HEO Midget AAA athletes that you worked with have success
League. in the game,” says Lalonde. “But I guess my
ocal coach Rick Lalonde has been very time with the Cornwall Aces doing video was
Linvolved in sports from a young age. Early “We had a pretty good season. It was a very a special memory. I learned so much from
young team which continued to get better as
on, he played lacrosse, hockey, baseball, and that experience. I believe that’s the reason I
golf, just to name a few. However, hockey was the season progressed,” says Lalonde. was very fortunate to have all the coaching
In terms of hockey coaching success,
his number one choice. opportunities in Junior, both in Ontario and
“Hockey was my passion, so when I Lalonde says that it comes down to a few Quebec.”
different things.
decided to get involved in coaching, I All in all, Lalonde says it’s important to
committed myself to doing everything I could “Being committed to continuously create an honest environment for the athletes,
developing since the game is always changing,
do to develop myself as a hockey coach,” says telling them what they need to hear, not what
Lalonde. “I became involved with the NCCP, having a strong work ethic, and being well- they want to hear.
prepared,” says Lalonde. “Surround yourself
taking coaching levels and clinics that would “I also try to reinforce with my athletes
help develop me into a better coach. My with good hockey people. Every job I’ve had I what they need to do and what they have to
was lucky to have good hockey people around
athletes have always been important to me, so do before doing what they want to do. That
it was important for me to educate myself so I me. Guys like Brent Loney and Al Wagar, two includes on ice, off ice, and in the classroom,”
local guys that helped me develop. Mentors
could help them develop.” says Lalonde. “It takes lots of work to be a
According to Lalonde, one of the main like Bob Hartley, Martin Mondu, Mike Oke, successful hockey player. Don’t cut corners,
and others who would allow me to call them
reasons he first got involved in hockey was his work hard, and don’t cheat yourself. You can

father. for direction and advice. And lastly, athletes work hard and still have fun. Make sure to
that trust you because they know you are doing Photo Submitted
“At 27 years of age, Dad was diagnosed with fight through bad days to earn the best days

Multiple Sclerosis and was unable to work any whatever you can to help them inch closer to ice and see your teams take the information you of your life.
their goals.”
longer. It was a struggle, but he still found a give them and apply it to the game, whether Lalonde says he’s grateful that hockey was
way to get me to the rink and be involved in Lalonde says that the best part of coaching such a big part of his life.
is watching the team’s development. it’s an individual or team play,” says Lalonde.
CMHA,” says Lalonde. “I loved hockey and As he’s been coaching for quite some time, “I had the opportunity to meet many people
was so grateful for his time and what he did “I enjoy seeing young people develop in a Lalonde naturally has a few memories that and create some good friends,” says Lalonde.
sport they love and want to be successful in,
for me that I just wanted to give back. That’s stand out for him. “I also had the opportunity to visit so many
how my journey in hockey started, almost 30 watching them develop not only as athletes but “When your team overachieves and parts of the world because of hockey, places I
as young people as well. It’s great when you
years ago.” you win a playoff series that you were not don’t think I would have seen otherwise.”
see teams developing chemistry on and off the
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