NEWS

Ontario Junior Hockey League resident reporter Ron Valentine is profiling the 2020-21 team captains of The OJ this fall.

BY RON VALENTINE

It's been hard times for the Lindsay Muskies in the Ontario Junior Hockey League with only 16 points last season for a fifth-place finish in the East Division and just 20 points in 2018-19.

Blueliner MATHIEU HEBERT has been through those two tough campaigns and last term he took over the 'C' when Noah Vandervinne was traded to Cobourg just before the 2020 trade deadline. The Muskies management have given Mathieu a vote of confidence and he will return as captain in his final year in the league. Last season, he led the way in scoring for the club with eight goals and 23 points. 

Mathieu played his minor hockey for College St. Hilaire in Quebec before joining the New Jersey Rockets in the USPHL for the start of the 2017-18 season.

"It was a tough time for me,” Mathieu noted. "I did not speak English well and had a hard time fitting in so when I got the chance I signed with Cobourg although I was only able to play in a few games."

Obviously, a good student of language Mathieu has mastered his second language. "It's really only been four years for me but I feel (and he sounds) comfortable now."

“The Cougars were pretty full on the backend so I was traded to Lindsay. It's a great place to play hockey and despite the tough couple of seasons we have had we have always had great support from all the staff and the fans and we have been involved in many community events in the town."

"I learned a lot from Braydon Leeking who was the captain in my first season with the Muskies and who now plays for the Pickering Panthers, he was my mentor and helped me a lot with my development on the ice. I can say the same thing for Noah, too. I was a bit surprised when I got the 'C' as I didn't have an "A' beforehand but the Coach (Brendan O'Grady) had confidence in my ability to take on a leadership role."

O'Grady was appointed Interim Head Coach in October last season and will be the Head Coach this term. David Lang is the new GM. 

"Mathieu was given the “C” last year after we moved Vandervinne to Cobourg - no brainer for our club,” said O’Grady. “He is a true leader: very well respected within the dressing room and mature beyond his years. 

“He is always ‘all in’ (with a) very serious with his approach to the game, both on and off the ice. Working on his game or on the books. School is very important to him “ 

“He demands the best from his teammates,” the coach said, “wants to be the best and always leads by example. A huge voice in our room, and a fierce competitor. He wants to be the 'C' that rights the ship in Lindsay and he's been a huge part of the recruiting process for us. He will play 25 minutes a night and wants more. I believe he will be one of the top D-men in the OJHL this season."

The captain is ready.

"Despite our recent record I'm looking forward to the coming season,” Mathieu said. “I have been lucky enough to be able to be on the ice since June so I should be ready when we can finally get going. We will have an exciting group and our goal is to make the playoffs this time around. We will be together on the ice just after Labour Day and I can't wait. We are in a tough Division with Wellington and Trenton but with some changes off the ice we will be stronger on it. I'm looking forward to great years from a couple of players especially- Noah Pardy will be going into his third season with the team, he will show that he is a strong two-way center and we will have Stephan McDonald in the lineup, he played in Cobourg last season, so that that gives us a good start at that position. Last year was hard for us but we never lost our spirit despite the frustrations and I expect we will reward our fans this season."

"I would describe myself as a two-way defenceman who can shut down the opposition's top lines and also produce offensively. I got lots more minutes on the ice last season and I'm looking forward to more responsibility on the penalty kill and also the powerplay. I like the physical side of the game too."

Mathieu loves to golf. " I play with some pretty serious guys but it helps to make my game better."

Mathieu's goal is to get an NCAA Division 1 scholarship, as he really values education, and a Muskie club that makes the post-season would really help him with that aim. Adversity makes you stronger they say and with a determined Mathieu Hebert leading the way it could be a bounce-back year for the club with a long history in junior hockey.

Follow Ron Valentine on Twitter @ronandlynda

Photo by Spencer Smye of OJHL Images