Player Profile: Andrew Stevens

Name: Andrew Stevens
Born: August 8 1985, Dublin Ireland
5”10 weight 195
Right Wing

Born in Dublin in 1988, Andrew Stevens moved to Chateauguay (Quebec) in his early teen years. Having only a few options available for his hockey career in Ireland, Stevens moved to the south shore of Montreal. The Cavaliers were part of the bukake of teams that were interested in adding Stevens to their lineup. [Stevens] “In the end, the Cavaliers made the best offer and my family was happy to move to Chateauguay, the night life there is just crazy”.

The Stevens family was adopted by the community from day one. His father [Seamus Stevens] brought with him hundred of years of beer brewing knowledge.Seamus started to brew his beer in his basement, in an old tub found by the side of a cigarette shack. His wife [Orla Stevens] was sceptical but always followed Seamus, even in his craziest experiment. It wasn’t a secret that Seamus married way above his level, but Orla fell for the crazy old kook. In a short amount of

time, Bock Beer was the most popular drink on the shore. Andrew is proud of his dad and he's been a great ambassador for the family business [Andrew Stevens] “This is a really tasty drink, have a couple glass of this stuff and you’re ready to fight a ninja”. Andrew recalls good times with long time friend and Shocker member Jon Sante [Andrew Stevens] “Me and my buddy Jon have made a lot of testing for my dad’s beer, some crazy times I tell you… I got dick slapped more then once and Jon blew a couple dead bears”.

Andrew has been a great contributor to the Shocker’s attempt to build a long lasting dynasty. He has great contacts all over the south shore and even beyond. The Shockers fans can thank him every time they get to see the Diabo brothers make an amazing goal, or Sante block a shot and fall on his ass randomly or for the latest addition of Dwayne [Pilon] and Gary [McDermott]. [Andrew Stevens] “I’m glad my cousin Gary decided to join, he’s got some power in that shot… it’s like a big donkey punch from the point. It’s cool to spend some time with him, he was also a huge contributor to the Bock beer testing, he sharted his self to sleep a couple times to help my dad make the perfect brew.”

You can see Stevens grinding style of play on October 13^th when the Shockers meet the Chiefs. Come one come all, you might see Andrew dish another hard hit and dislocate another player’s shoulder… Magic!

Until then, keep your eyes on the ball and your stick on the floor kids…

Schedule Final Changes

Please note the schedule has changed one more time, here it is or go to the nabhl.com website.

Schedule Change - No Game this Monday!

Please take note at the schedule change (see right hand side, click the image or on NABHL.com).

The schedule was changed to allow Summer 2008 champions, the Expos, return to Intermediate as they were not able to hack it in Elite this season.

As per the new schedule, the Shockers will not be playing Monday, September 29, 2008 as previously scheduled. Also take not that, the Shockers will be playing twice on Monday, November 17th, 2008.

Player Profile: Benoit Ducharme

Name: Benoit Ducharme

Born: September 14th 1975, Lanoraie

5”10 weight 177

Center

Born in a small working class town, his father, Bruce “Rummy” Ducharme, worked on the family farm. Working long hours he hoped his son would never have to go through the steps he did. Ben often recalls his dad’s words “The land, she gives us nothing”. He [Bruce Ducharme] use to bring his son to the pond every night and teach him the rudiment of hockey. Often getting laugh at because he had to use his sister’s skates and play with frozen dog turds, he quickly had the other kids running away. [Ben] “I use to wrist shot the turds at them, that’s how I develop my accuracy”. Today, it’s pay back time for his detractors “who’s laughing now, I made center for the Shocker’s! They can kiss my ass”.

His mother, Rita Ducharme, was always protective of him, well know in the town for her cooking, she was known as the Pie Lady. “My mom is a huge inspiration for me, she showed me that hard works pays off and that whatever people say about you, it doesn’t really mater in the end.” His mom went through a rough time, people didn’t accept her at the beginning [Rita] “ It wasn’t easy to win their hearts, especially being a cartoon character I really felt different”.

You can enjoy watching Ben’s velvet hands next Monday @ 6:30, when the Shocker’s meet Outcast for the first time this season.

Until then, keep your eyes on the ball and your stick on the floor kids…

"45 minutes, not 30"

Final Score
FW 8 - Shockers 4



In a game where there Shockers came to play 30 minutes instead of the full 45 they were handed their first loss of the season by the hands of FW, 8-4. FW, who have been questionable as to why the Summer 2008 finalists were not moved up to Elite, came out strong passing around the flat-footed Shockers and netting six in just the first period.

"We didn't look too good out there, I have to admit," commented captain, Alain Godard.

"...it looked like we were going to get mercied at one point, definately not a highlight start for us," added goal-saving sensation, Giancarlo Capaz.

The Shockers realigned their Che in the second and third and managed to keep FW to just two goals while they netted three of their own.

"They are a good passing team and we didn't cover our men in the first. We figured it out for the rest of the game but it was alittle too late for us to make the big comeback. Next time we have to play 45 minutes, not 30," illustrated Godard.

Amongst the Shockers goalscorers was again the first line trio of Godard, Stevens and Ducharme where they combined for 6 points on the night as well as some action from the back where new-comer, Gary McDermott scored his first as a Shocker and Francois Hamelin picking up an assist.

The question that has been hovering around Le Rinque is: where is the Shockers production from the second line? Nick Sullo has been kept quiet by opposing teams after he has a fairly good season this past summer. Kosta Kastrounis has been silenced to just one assist thus far. The solution might be just a player away as the Shockers have not been able to solidify the last remaining spot on the second line. We've seen Steve Diabo and Jonathan Sante fill in the void this season and only Diabo was able to get on the scoresheet, however, Diabo made it clear that he could not sign on full-time. Team management is still looking to find the missing piece to completing the puzzle.

"We need someone who will be able to help out Kosta and Nick. These guys have a good eye for the ball but we need a good guy to set them up," detailed Godard.

Next game is on Monday, September 29th against the Outcasts where the Shockers hope to redeem themselves and pick up a win.

A Nail Biter in the Season Opener

Final Score
Shockers 7 - Decepticon 6 (OT)

In what team captain, Alain Godard, can only summarize last night's season opener at Le Rinque as a "nail biter" the Shockers were able to pull through with their first win of the season coming in the way of a shootout.

The first period started off a little shakey, the Shockers looked decently strong and in shape but it was the Decepticons who were able to find the back of the net, potting two goals back to back. The Shockers, Ben Bucharme, would reply before the periods end by cutting in front and banging home and shot that fooled the Deceptions goalie.

Momentum seemed to swing in the Shockers favor as they opened up the period to tie it up 2-2 with Andrew Stevens knocking in Steve Diabo's howitzer that bounced off the back of the boards. However, the Decepticons would take another jump of two goals in a little less than 1:30 apart from each other. Shockers soon responded with back to back jacks, including a fancy-pants passing play by the Godard-Ducharme-Stevens trio as well as another from Stevens tipping home a point shot from Jeff Jasmin. Decepticons would reply back with one of their one, but only to be smuthered by the Shockers with a goal from new-comer Dwayne Pilon and veteran sticksman, Diabo, who lent his services to fill-in for this game.

The third saw both teams came out strong but it would be the Decepticons who would tie it up with less than 6 minutes into the period. After that it was an all out battle of tug-o-war as both teams had their chances but could not seem to capitalize before the period closed out.

Ladies and gentlemen, this game had to go to a do or die shootout.

The Shockers did not have the best of luck in shootouts in the past but then again this is a new season and the Shockers had no qualms about turning it around this time. Pilon took the first shot and missed his opportunity to beat the opposing netminder five-hole. Assistant captain, Marc Boucher, was up second and shelfed a nifty fake to give the Shockers a 1-0 lead. Diabo would close it up with a taint-snapper in the lower corner of the net to boost them up 2-0. Giancarlo Capaz would get all the help he needed and stayed solid seeing all the Decepticons attempts out of his net and bringing his team to victory.

The Shockers celebrate the victory but know that there is still a long season ahead, Godard commented on the topic: "We are extremely happy with how the team has come together in game one of the season, the new guys are really helping us out in places where we lacked last season and we can only go up from here."

Stevens added, "Pilon, [Gary] McDermott and [Goppy] Sandhu really blew me away with their performance tonight and the guys who have been here before really took it to the next level. Management can breathe easy that they made some good calls to get us some great guys to bounce experience and knowledge off of. They are really going to help the guys who might not know what to do in certain situations and, overall, it is going to help our progress during the season."

"To get that goal tonight felt great but I wish I could have nailed that shootout attempt. The guys played great and after a couple of more games together, this team should be on the road to good things," commented Pilon after the game.

The press wanted to get a comment from Boucher on his shootout goal but had already left to celebrate the victory in his 1989 Ford Bronco.




More photos available at http://picasaweb.google.ca/andrewbacca/Season2Game1VsDecepticon#

Season opener: Monday September 15th @ 7:30

Team Shocker will be facing the Decepticon this coming Monday @ 7:30 EST.
The Shocker’s 2nd edition team will be competing in the intermediate division of the NABHL.

Returning captain Alain Godard is looking forward to the challenge “It was our first season, it was a bumpy road but we’ve learned some valuable lessons from it. We’re ready for the upcoming 16 game season and I give my words to all the fans, they should expect nothing less than %110 effort from every one of us”.

When asked about the fall edition rosters, assistant captain Marc Boucher had to mention the team lost some big pieces “I’ll be honest, on August 24th, when we lost in the first round of the playoffs, I felt like shit… And a few minutes after, I got the news, the Diabo Bros and Jon [Sante] we’re not coming back, it felt like a got kicked in the koosh”. Boucher went thru a depression but seems like he’s been gaining wood recently “Yep, I cried myself to sleep for a while, but now I’m back and I’m ready!”. Shockers have lost some guns, but they feel the D improved in the off-season and managed to fill the open spot up front.

Hamelin was still sour about his last season but was happy about the off-season signing. [Hamelin] “We struggled at D last year, but we got rid of the road apple [referring to the self-centered ex-Shocker, Greg Emmaunel] and replaced him with top notch players, we’ll have a stronger D that’s for true”. The experts also pointed out that the Shocker’s will have a much better D-squad with the addition of McDermott and Pilon. Jasmin, Boucher and Hamelin we’re all rookies and will come in with a bit more experience.

Jasmin has been following his training program rigorously. Bench press, bicep curls and a whole lot of heavy drinking. “I’m strong as a horse and drunk as a skunk” stated the big number 26. Jasmin performance last year was definitely a pleasant surprise for Shocker management. Late draft pick that turned out to be a success story. Jasmin was signed long term before last season, “management did a great move with that signing” those were Stevens (A) words of wisdom.

Goaltender Capaz will be getting more help from his D but some people have doubted his conditioning. Capaz will also be playing in the DMBHL and experts think his knees might not be able to handle the work load. [Capaz] “That’s plain stupid, my knees have so much calluses from the carpet burns I could play without pads”. Shockers are expecting nothing less than another year of stellar performances from their netminder.

Shockers attack lines have yet to be decided, they need to form two good lines with the following squad: Alain Godard, Andrew Stevens, Benoit Ducharme, Nick Sullo, Kosta Kastrounis and latest addition Goppy Sandhu. Shockers will definitely need to improve their face-off win %, what will be the lineup for the first game? The last drawing on the board showed a line formed of Stevens – Ducharme – Godard and another one with Sullo – Kastrounis – Sandhu. Coaching staff will have to find good chemistry and two good scoring lines. “We’ll get the input from the players, their preferences and try to accommodate everybody but the team comes first” stated assistant captain Stevens.

Until then, keep your eyes on the ball and your stick on the floor kids…

SHOCKERS PARTY NEXT WEDNESDAY!

Even though the Shockers have been busy getting focused on the upcoming fall season in the NABHL, they are taking a much needed break to have a little bit of fun with the fans. They are holding a 5 à 7 party at Lobby Bar Lounge on Wednesday, September 17th. The cover charge is $5 and will go towards the costs of the new season.

Check out the flyer and feel free to invite anyone and everyone it is going to be good times fo' sho'!

Pilon Joins the Defensive Squad

Shockers made another huge acquisition today signing on Dwayne Pilon to their fall roster.

Pilon, another veteran picked up from the VBHL adds good vision, smooth hands and much needed experience to the defensive line-up. Pilon will be out on the floor as #80, look for him to be a good fit with fellow VBHL'er Gary McDermott.

New Season is Around the Corner

With the summer season just about to wrap up the new Shocker season is just around the corner. There has been recent reports on the NABHL site stating that the Fall season can be starting as early as Monday, September 15th, 2008. On that note, the Shockers management have submitted their order for the new and improved jerseys and should be in just in time for game one.

The Shockers will also be kicking off the season with a 5 @ 7-type party at Lobby Bar (4538 Papineau, Montreal) on Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 and everyone is invited. The cover should be about $5 for the event and all proceeds will help the Shockers with season registration fees. More info to follow.

Here is the projected line-up for the fall:

Forwards:
Stevens – 89
Kastrounis – 17
Sullo – 2
Godard – 74
Ducharme – 68
Sandhu – 71

Defense:
Jasmin – 26
Boucher – 55
Hamelin – 21
McDermott – 78

Spares:
Diabo – 9
Dfek – 13

Goalie:
Capaz – 1

McDermott Signs On

Shockers management has been hard at work this past couple of days prepping their new squad for the upcoming fall season.

The Shockers are proud to announce their huge addition on defense: Gary McDermott. This 6'2 grinder comes from a long career in several ball hockey leagues including the year-round VBHL (Verdun Ball Hockey League) and has even a couple of championships under his belt. He has a huge shot from the point and has great positioning to get the opposition out of scoring position.

Look out for #78 as a force to be reckoned with.