Kyle Ward is back in the Blizzard lineup. His stats show 15 goals and 10 assists in 19 games. Photo archives Digiphoto
And junior hockey fans will have the opportunity to see an upgraded team, starting Wednesday, January 10, at 7:30 pm, when the Blizzard hosts de Campbellton Tigers. On the one hand, by the arrival of forward Dany Coulombe, acquired Sunday, whose speciality is to fill the opponent’s net. On the other hand, by the return of star forward Kyle Ward, who just got back from an 8-game stay with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL. Ward played his last game in the Blizzard uniform on November 19 before Rouyn-Noranda acquired him.
Although he has missed the last 12 Blizzard games, Ward still dominates the team with 15 goals, two more than rookie Liam Leonard.
Blizzard also hopes to take advantage on the experience gained by Mathieu Blanchard, Gabriel Vanier, Leonard and Dominic Hachey who have been able to play a few games each with QMJHL teams during the season. And not to forget the participation of forward Logan Johnston at the recent World Junior A Challenge.
The Blizzard can also say thanks to the speedster and teams leading scorer Alexandre Jacob who managed to hold the fort in the repeated absence of key players.
And not to forget the support of one of the league’s best defensive with defensemen such as Alexandre Bernier, Alex Lavoie, Tristan Mercure, Keenan Gillis, Justin Lush and Dominic Hachey, in addition to a duo of exceptional goalkeepers in Francis Asselin and Myles Hektor, and you have a team that aspires to top honors when the Maritime Junior Hockey Legue playoffs start in mid-March. Moreover, the Blizzard should be able to count on the return of its veteran defenseman Nolan Alward in February. Alward is recovering from an operation.
Throughout the campaign, the Blizzard could also count on the solid contribution of other players, such as Maxime Grandmaison, Pierre Bourgoin, Jeff Akerley, Vincent Rioux, Patrick Pellerin and Samuel Bastille.
The Blizzard will play two more games this weekend at the Jean-Daigle Centre. Friday, at 7:30 pm, the Blizzard will host the Miramichi Timberwolves. Sunday, at 3 pm, Edmundston will face the South Shore Lumberjacks. Big crowds are again expected during the next three local games.
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, vice-president communications – The Edmundston Blizzard; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone