NATIONALS CAPTAIN NAMED CCHL’S TOP DEFENSEMAN S P O R T S ANIL JHALLI anil.jhalli@epa.on.ca
for the program both on and off the ice. Laurent represented the Nats at the Eastern Canada Cup and the CCHL all-star game this season. “Not only is he a fierce defender, Xavier is one of the best offensive producing defense- men in the league,” said Lavictoire in a state- ment posted on the team’s website. “Xavier has also been a great mentor and leader for all his teammates, he leads through his actions with his dedication, discipline and passion for the game. The Rockland Nationals are really proud of all of Xavier’s achievements and he will go down as one of the top players in our team’s history.” Nats head coach Justin Pereira called Laurent the best defenseman in the league. “This honour for Xavier is 100 per cent well-deserved,” said Rockland’s bench boss. “He has great leadership and he shows it on and off the ice. The younger guys on the team have a really great role model in Xavier.”
Rockland Nationals captain Xavier Laurent has been named top defenseman for the 2023-2024 Central Canadian Hockey League (CCHL) season. Laurent finished the season with 14 goals, which ranked second amongst CCHL defenders, and 43 points, which led all blue- liners during the 2023-2024 season which saw the Nats make the playoffs for the first time in four years. “I didn’t really anticipate something like this,” said the Nats captain, who is playing his final year of junior hockey with Rockland. “But it feels good to receive this recognition and it brings me a lot of pride because when I step on the ice, I think that in my head, I am the best at what I do and this year really showed that.” Nats governor Luc Lavictoire called Laurent a terrific leader and ambassador
Le capitaine des Rockland Nationals, Xavier Laurent, a été nommé meilleur défenseur de la LCHC pour la saison 2023-2024. (Anil Jhalli, EAP) NATS BATTLE WOLVES IN ROUND ONE OF CCHL PLAYOFFS
ANIL JHALLI anil.jhalli@epa.on.ca
2I[ &IKMRRMRK 'LYVGL Stothers and some of the other veterans were quick to praise the work of the coaching And they are looking to carry that momen- tum into the playoffs in their first round clash with the Wolves. “We know this community has missed playoff hockey, and we are happy to share this moment with them,” said Nats defen- seman Kai Stothers. “As a team, we are really hungry, we have been working hard all season to get here. We know what we are capable of doing, and we have the team to do it.” Playoff hockey is back in Clarence- Rockland after four long years, and the team and its fans are equally excited. The Rockland Nationals will take on the Renfrew Wolves in the first round of the Central Canadian Hockey League (CCHL) postseason, with game one set for Friday, March 22, at the Clarence-Rockland Arena. “The playoffs, it’s a new season and a new mentality,” said Nats head coach Justin Pereira. “It’s eyes forward, play for each other and focus on what’s ahead.” The Nats ended the regular season on a high note, winning two of their final three games to close out the season.
Les Rockland Nationals ont obtenu leur qualification pour les séries éliminatoires grâce à deux victoires pour terminer la saison. La première ronde des séries éliminatoires se déroulera contre les Wolves de Renfrew. (Patrick Bergeron)
“Guys are excited to come to the rink and start practice and are ready to compete.” Pereira, in his first year as the team’s head coach, said the players deserve all the praise for how they have worked this year. “It’s great to hear the impact we have on these kids, but they are the ones working hard and giving their all,” he said. “We have a great team, great leaders and it shows on
staff, who brought a complete change of culture that contributed to the team’s regular season success. Players have bought in to that culture, and it shows on and off the ice, said team captain Xavier Laurent. “It’s just night and day compared to last season,” he said, fresh off being named the CCHL’s top defenseman of the season.
and off the ice with how these guys have become close.” Nats forward Guillaume Labre, born and raised in Clarence-Rockland, said the goal from the start of the season was simple – get to the Centennial Cup and win it all. “We are more physical than we were, and we are way hungrier than we have been,” he said. “There’s guys on this team who are playing their last year of junior hockey, and they want to go out with a bang and go out a champion.”
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