College hockey: Two railroad workers delegated to the all-star game

The Cheminots de Saint-Jérôme saw two of their colors, Zarary Saint-Pierre Renaud and Émile Rivest, participate in the D2 College Hockey League all-star game last Saturday, December 14 in Quebec.

For the occasion, the two local skaters wore the blue uniform of the Quebec Student Sports Network (RSÉQ), at the Peps of Laval University.

“These two players have stepped up their game a lot and this honor is deserved. This appointment of Émile in Quebec will reflect on his confidence, I am sure, he who already takes his role to heart,” predicted the head coach of the ChemsBenoît Gratton.

Number 25 agreed with its pilot.

“It was fun representing the Railway Workers. Playing without stress, with the best in the company of Zak was really a great moment. Throughout the calendar, I tried to prepare games well, my strength, but also to finish more. I appreciate the recognition,” underlined Prévost resident Émile Rivest.

For his part, new captain Saint-Pierre Renaud continued to play Brendan Gallagher with the Cheminots.

“Zak continued to be our key player. He also stepped up his game by becoming the leader again. It’s no coincidence that he displays the captain’s C on his sweater. This was his second appearance at the All-Star Game. His intensity was reflected on the others and allowed us to climb the rankings as a team,” noted Benoît Gratton.

Back in the game

Last to raise the curtain, the skaters from the Fournier Street institution completed the first portion of the calendar in 4th place, tied with Old Montreal, in the southwest conference. They now have a record above .500, with 6 wins, 5 losses and 5 shootout losses.

“I didn’t think we would have so much training to do with our young people. We performed a lot of exercises to improve our situation. We repeated things 100 times instead of 10. The guys learned to play within our structure and not by instinct, in several essential phases of the game. The adaptation continues and it’s very positive to be up from three ranks in the rankings. Add to that the return of Renaud (Simard), a pillar in front of the cage, and it gave us a second wind,” noted Gratton.

Captain Saint-Pierre Renaud began to see a “whole” forming again in the Railwaymen’s room.

“We started to generate offense again, to manage pucks better, to place our stick blades in front of those of the opponents, all little things that improve your team game. We don’t get downgraded and we make the effort. The atmosphere will be superb during the trip to Europe, because we finished with 3 victories in a row before the Christmas break,” said the No. 12.

The Cheminots will in fact be on the old continent from January 4 to 16, for visits to Prague, Munich, Strasbourg and Paris.

“It was good last time and we played against a caliber similar to ours. There is the unknown. We are going to do Team Building and soak up the culture. Visiting a former Eastern Bloc city (Prague) will leave an impression on the guys. Hockey becomes almost secondary. This will not prevent us from holding rigorous exercises (laughs). It takes rigor, and not bad tricks, with young people,” laughed Gratton, who was trained the hard way by the formidable brothers Morisette and Michel Therrien, with the late Prédateurs Granby.

The Cheminots will return home on Friday January 31, 2025 at 8 p.m., hosting the Dynamics of Collège Jean de Brébeuf.