There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s nothing like coming home and playing in front of family and friends especially in your final few seasons in the QMJHL.
Every game is important, especially when you have fought like hell to get to the league and to stay there.
Cole Cormier’s path to the Q and journey within it hasn’t been linear to say the least. Cormier has dealt with his fair share of adversity but has definitely found a home with the President Cup and Memorial Cup hopeful Gatineau Olympiques and carved out a very successful Major Junior career so far.
Savoie’s path to the QMJHL was fraught with high expectations. There’s no question the gritty skilled forward has delivered and perhaps surpassed those early expectations during his tenure in the QMJHL.
Savoie’s exploits caught the eye of the Chicago Blackhawks and they selected him in the 3rd round 81st overall. The Olympiques take on the Saint John Sea Dogs tonight as they start their Maritime swing. There’s no doubt family and friends will be in the Port City tonight to lend their support, but Friday night’s tilt against the upstart Moncton Wildcats will take on special meaning for the dynamic scoring duo.
Cormier is leading the team in scoring through 12 games with 9 goals and 2 assists. Savoie has 2 goals and 2 assists through 8 games with the Olympiques this season.
“Cole is a finisher,” said Olympiques General Manager and Head Coach Louis Robitaille.
“Cole finds the way to be at the right spot at the right time. He’s 20 now and you can tell he plays with more confidence, poise.,” added Robitaille.
“Sam is Sam,” Robitaille said.
“He brings a contagious energy, he’s a true competitor, a player every coach loves to have on his team.”
“At 18, you can tell he plays with more confidence offensively. He’s a Pitbull that can bring offense.”
“He’s unique,” stressed Robitaille.
Very few know Cole or Sam for that matter like Derek Cormier.
“Well I can only imagine how excited they are,” said Cormier with a smile.
“It’s always special to come home and have family and friends out supporting them.”
“As a friend, father and former coach, it’s always great seeing them live and having this opportunity to play in front of friends and family.”
“I’m very proud of both Sam and Cole, and I’m wishing them a great Maritime road trip,” said Cormier who runs Pro Evolution Hockey, an offseason skills development program geared towards helping players from this region reach their full potential in the game.
“It’s awesome to see and be back playing in front of friends and family,” said Savoie.
“They’ve always been there to support me. My family and friends have watched me my whole life, it’s sometimes tough to come and watch, but they are one of the reasons why I am where I am today,” said a reflective Savoie.
“It’s always special coming to Moncton and play in front of friends and family,” said Cormier.
“This one will be extra special it’s my last scheduled game in Moncton.”
“My family mean everything to me, they’ve been there since the start of my journey it’s always super special coming back home and play in front of them,” said the overage forward.
There’s no place like home and you can guarantee Cormier and Savoie will no doubt want to leave a lasting impression on their friends and family during this Maritime road trip.
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