REGINA | Former freestyle skier and member of the Quebec team for four years, Benjamin Nadon has become the handyman for the Rouge et Or at Laval University.
A relief hitter at the marauder position during the absence of Vincent Delisle, he now replaces Edward Bolduc whose season is over due to a torn ligament in his thumb at the defensive back position on the short side of the field.
Nadon was also used as a punt returner during Guillaume Cauchon’s absence. “I’m used to playing everywhere and that’s normal for me,” Nadon said. In college, I kicked and played linebacker too. It allows me to see the field.”
Absent at the Dunsmore Cup due to a concussion suffered in training three days before the summit duel against the Carabins of the University of Montreal, Nadon had to absorb the shock.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“Missing myself at the Dunsmore Cup hurt, but I couldn’t ask for better now,” he summed up. I’m going to experience my baptism of the Canadian scene and I’m really excited. I got the green light on Tuesday after passing my final assessment.”
Nadon’s absence combined with Anton Haie’s injury at the start of the match and Émil Barthélémy’s cramps caused headaches for defensive coordinator Marc Fortier during the provincial final.
Replacing Nadon, Philippe Champagne got his first career start and Emmanuel Awuni took over from Haie who will be back as a starter against the Rams. “It proves that we have a lot of depth on the tertiary line. All the guys are super good.”
Studies before skiing
By joining the Rouge et Or two years ago, the product of the Lionel-Groulx Nordiques gave up freestyle skiing. “I would have liked to continue freestyle skiing, which is a beautiful sport and which has been a big part of my life, but it was no longer possible to combine the two,” he explained. In college, I jumped on my skis a week after football season.”
By abandoning skiing, the law student wanted to prioritize his studies while continuing to play football. “I could have continued school by skiing, but my academic progress would have been slowed down. Studies are very important to me.”
The same mountain as the king of moguls
Skiing in Saint-Sauveur just like Mikaël Kingsbury, Nadon has already been coached by the king of moguls. Ten years younger, he also trained with Kingsbury on a few occasions. Nadon continues to follow from afar his friends Louis-David Chalifoux, Julien Viel, Elliot Vaillancourt and Joey Dubuc who find themselves on the Canadian moguls team.
