Rarely has ice hockey attracted as much attention at the athletes’ gala as at this 51ste Editing. Four winners were recognized for their skills on the ice, including Jonathan Marchessault, who won Athlete of the Year after winning the Stanley Cup and Conn-Smythe Trophy with the Vegas Golden Knights last June.
Marchessault became the first NHL professional hockey player to inherit the ultimate honor for athletes from the Quebec and Chaudière-Appalaches regions since Gilles Tremblay, who represented the Canadiens, in 1961. He also received the title of Partner/Teammate of the Year on the international stage.
Marchessault, reached between two Golden Knights games in Las Vegas, said he was flattered that he was selected and that his sport was a priority.
“It’s normal for ice hockey to get attention. It is still the number one sport in Canada. It’s fun when a hockey player gets rewarded. It’s different and rewarding for me. That doesn’t make other athletes less important, but something extraordinary happened to me with the Stanley Cup and the Conn-Smythe. I don’t know the future, but it’s undoubtedly the highlight of my career,” he told the Journal.
The importance of sport
Upon receiving the honor, the forward, who scored 57 points in the regular season and 25 in the playoffs, immediately thought about the many benefits of sports in his life and the example he wants to set.
“Sports helps you succeed in life because it brings discipline and seriousness in achieving your dreams. I see what sport has brought me and I want to pass that on. It allows us to place energies in the right places. If there’s a party on Friday night, you end up saying you can’t go because there’s a game the next day. “Sports take you less to bad places,” said the father of four children ages 4 to 9.
Photo QMI Agency / Pascal Huot
“My children, I want them to discover a passion, be it hockey, tennis, badminton… I don’t care, what’s important is that you pursue your dreams in your passion.”
Marchessault will donate his scholarship to the Le Petit Blanchon Foundation to help at-risk children.
The Remparts in the spotlight
The Quebec Remparts also received praise for their dream season. The third Memorial Cup in their history earned them the title of Team of the Year, while Patrick Roy received the Coach of the Year award in team sports and forward Nathan Gaucher took home the award in the Partner/National Teammate category.
In addition to helping the Remparts win it all in 2022-2023, Gaucher competed in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships twice, winning gold each time, first in Edmonton in August, then in Halifax in December and January.
The Anaheim Ducks’ first-round pick made the jump to the professionals in the American Hockey League this season with the San Diego Gulls.
Contacted from Charlotte, where the Gulls are preparing to play the Checkers on Friday and Saturday, Gaucher admitted he took the time to take stock of everything the Red Devils accomplished last season .
“You make the jump to the pros, to a new team, to a new world, and you see what it’s like elsewhere and you realize what an incredible group of players and individuals we had.” Everyone was working towards that same goal to win. When you’re there and you’re winning everything, you feel like nothing can stop you, but then you realize how difficult it is and what we’ve achieved. There is only one club in Canada that has done this and that is us.”
Be a good teammate
In addition, this individual award, which rewards a team player, has a special meaning for Gaucher because he says he tries to be the best teammate possible every day.
“I try to work hard every day and give my all so that others follow me. I try to include everyone and I think that is very important. I also try to bring a certain competitiveness to the group so that everyone feels comfortable and included. That’s what I try to achieve in each of the teams I play with and it brings trophies, so I’ll keep going!” he said with a laugh.
WINNERS LIST – 51e ATHLETES GALA, PRESENTED BY BENEVA
Sportsman of the year
Jonathan Marchessault, ice hockey
Men’s Individual Sports – International
Laurent Dubreuil, speed skating
Women’s Individual Sports – International
Laurence St-Germain, alpine skiing
International partner/teammate
Jonathan Marchessault, ice hockey
Men’s Individual Sports – National
Mathis Beaulieu, triathlon
Women’s Individual Sports – National
Elizabeth Desrosiers-McArthur, canoeing
Partner/Teammate – National
Nathan Gaucher, ice hockey
Individual sports trainer
Gregor Jelonek, speed skating
Team sports coach
Patrick Roy, ice hockey
team
Quebec City Walls
Male discovery
Luka Sullivan, speed skating
Female discovery
Charline Bourque, judo