The surprising thing about the Drummondville Voltigeurs' success is that they are a team that doesn't rely on very big names.
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The team's leading scorer, Peter Repcik, is ranked 12th in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Goalkeeper Riley Mercer ranks 8th with a goals-against average of 2.77. He also ranks 8th in save percentage at .907.
The Voltigeurs don't rely on big stars, which means the teamwork is impeccable. And it is once again the fruit of the culture that Sylvain Favreau and Yanick Lemay have built since their arrival.
“With Sylvain and Yannick in charge, there is greater trust in the dressing room,” confirms Riley Mercer. We have more stability and we trust them a lot, we know that they will guide us in the right direction.
It will be unlocked
Make no mistake, the Voltigeurs were already counting on good elements, notably Mercer, Repcik, Luke Woodworth, Ethan Gauthier and Maveric Lamoureux.
And they showed their seriousness by bringing in Russian defender Vsevolod Komarov and attacker Mikael Huchette from the Quebec Remparts.
But there are players who also celebrate their success in junior hockey, like Woodworth, who is the team's second point scorer with 35 points in 32 games. Riley Mercer is also having his best season. Age and experience play a role, but that's not all.
“I’m not complaining about having a Luke Woodworth, an Ethan Gauthier and a Riley Mercer,” Favreau notes. What I like is that these are guys who have been questioned about their performances in the past. Why is there a revival this year? I don’t know, it’s up to them to do the analysis.”
“In my case, I think there is a lot of trust. This is my fourth year and I feel like I can really express myself here,” says Woodworth.
Trust
Confidence returns when it comes to Riley Mercer. The tall 19-year-old goalie is the brother of Dawson, a former Voltigeurs who now wears the colors of the New Jersey Devils.
“Riley is a very good person, he's had ups and downs in his junior career and I trust him 100%, that's why he's staying at the nets. I'm sending him the message that he's our man,” emphasizes Favreau.
The very likeable young man doesn't hide the fact that it's easier to get into the fray when you know that your coach has your back.
“As a goalkeeper it is very important to have the feeling that you are trusted. There is a big mental aspect to this position and knowing that the coach believes you are giving him a chance to win is huge.”
Sylvain Favreau (right) Courtesy of Voltigeurs de Drummondville
radiation
The Voltigeurs reached the quarterfinals last year and the semifinals in 2018-2019, but we have to go back to 2008-2009 to see how they reached the final. They then won the President's Cup and reached the semifinals of the Memorial Cup.
There is a desire to aim for the highest honors this season. And Sylvain Favreau wants to do this for everyone who works hard for the team's success and especially for a community that values their team.
“We operate in a small market and my God, the people in the offices work so hard for the good of the team, we have sponsors who donate a lot of money to keep youth hockey alive in Centre-du-Quebec. “
“I experienced something different in Halifax, where there was Bobby Smith and a big company with 8,000 to 10,000 spectators per game.”