French ice hockey retired its “Jaromir Jagr” a few weeks ago. At 50, forward Richard Aimonetto, a former QMJHL player, made his final round at Mont-Blanc, a top division club.
He can put his name alongside those of Gordie Howe and Jaromir Jagr, who played in a professional league at the same age. A longevity that we rarely experience today.
“I wanted to end with a round number. I wanted to leave with my head held high, Richard Aimonetto said of his 30-year professional career. I never thought about playing until I was 50.
“I’ve often been told to enjoy every moment because it goes by very quickly. At 32, when many players are retiring, I felt good and decided to move on.
“I never gave myself a rule as to when my career would end. This mostly happens in the head. When you play for fun, it comes naturally.
“There wasn’t a morning I woke up that I saw training or a game as a job.”
As a professional, he played 20 seasons in the Magnus League, including 12 with Chamonix. After that he spent his last 10 career seasons with Mont-Blanc in the first division. In his final season, the centerman had 12 points in 26 games.
A favorite
It’s possible that the Aimonetto name means something to Quebec fans. It is normal.
It all started with his participation in the Tournoi Pee-Wee de Québec. This led him to return to the province of La Belle a few years later.
“I was fascinated by the NHL. When I was 16, I contacted Hockey Quebec to get an invite to a Midget AAA camp. I did this behind my parents’ back.
“I got a tryout with the Montreal Bourassa club. I camped and it worked.”
In 1989 it was rare to see a European country in Quebec. The reception had been pretty cold from the other players.
“I was misunderstood. They called me the damn French. I had the right to all names because I was taking the place of a Quebecer. After I got my seat, everyone was nice to me.
Used to big rinks, it took Aimonetto a few weeks to get used to the North American game.
“Initially I struggled. The physical game didn’t exist in France. We were more technical. I had no choice but to grow through bodybuilding.
“I was just happy to be in the birthplace of hockey.”
happy as a pope
Looking back on his career, Aimonetto believes his fondest memory was on Quebec soil.
“My best moment is being drafted by the Victoriaville Tigres (7th round, 83rd overall),” said the new retiree. It was brand new. It was the stress of being drafted.
“When I put on the Tigers jersey for the first time, I was happy as a pope! It was fantastic!”
After a season and a few games, he was traded to the Saint-Jean Lynx. In his second season with this team, he suffered a serious knee injury.
“It broke my cruising speed and I couldn’t find my level. At 20 I’m in France to start my professional career.
Richard Aimonetto did not achieve his goal of making a career in North America. However, he managed to go a long way and finish it with his head held high.
Aimonetto met Bouchard
Upon arriving at Midget Camp Montreal-Bourassa AAA, Richard Aimonetto quickly formed a friendship with Joël Bouchard.
“There were two Frenchmen, including Richard, in our camp,” Bouchard said. They were on their desert island for a bit.
“Being an inclusive guy, I decided to visit them. We have become friends. Richard was a good person with good values. I asked a lot of questions about France.”
Bouchard found Aimonetto brave enough to cross the Atlantic to try his hand at North American ice hockey.
“I thought it was hot to take such a step. It was a process of passion. He figured the best way for him was through here.
“He was a great player with a lot of talent. He came to learn the physical side. He wasn’t scared.”
At the time, Aimonetto had made no friends within the French Ice Hockey Federation. Due to his courageous decision, he was unable to compete in the World Junior Hockey Championship. His association had removed him from the list.
“It wasn’t normal. It was a bit like a cowboy back then. National federations were upset that their players were trying their luck elsewhere.
A different play style
Without recalling any particular anecdote, Bouchard well remembers Aimonetto’s first games in Midget AAA.
“He had a different style of play than the others. It was obvious, but we also saw the talent, Bouchard said. We could see he had played at a different caliber elsewhere.
“He didn’t give up in every situation. He had proved with his performances on the ice that he is able to make the team.
“He had earned his ice age and his pick by Victoriaville on the repechage.”
QMJHL initiations: The veterans left him alone
The record of initiations in the QMJHL continues to spill a lot of ink. For Richard Aimonetto the limits were never crossed.
When he arrived at Camp Montreal-Bourassa Midget AAA with his compatriot, the center player was yelled at by the other players.
Seeing a European was not common at the time. He was considered a mail thief. In his case, however, it never went any further.
After being drafted by the Victoriaville Tigres, the Frenchman tried his first camp in the QMJHL. He cannot remember a particular incident with the recruits.
“I just remember that I had to fight three times,” said Aimonetto. Luckily I didn’t fall. For me it was a first. I had never fought.”
Respected by veterans
Aimonetto had impressed the Bois Francs side coaches enough to secure a spot. At that time, Gilbert Perreault was in charge of the team.
Despite this great news, the striker had calmed down the initiations.
“I’ve always been protected,” said Aimonetto. I wasn’t drinking, so it didn’t bother me.”
He also played with the Saint-Jean Lynx and the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL. He does not recall seeing any unsightly events.
These athletes who have crossed the line of retirement
ice Hockey
- Gordie Howe (52)
- Jaromir Jagr (51 years)
baseball
- Bag Paige (59)
- Minnie Minoso (56 years)
- Jim O’Rourke (54)
basketball
To go biking