The NAIT Ooks’ historic 36-0 season featured Clyde-area defender Richard Sabourin, who helped anchor the blueline for the back-to-back Alberta college champions.
The Ooks dominated U of A Augustana in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference finals posting a March 18 4-3 OT win in Game 1 followed by a 3-2 Game 2 March 19 victory to claim the Bill Henry Jr. Memorial Trophy.
Sabourin, 23, racked up six assists throughout 19 regular season games this year and has 25 points over his three-year college career.
NAIT’s historic run is only the second time in the past 51 seasons a team has gone undefeated. The Ooks won 32 regular season games and four post-season games and extended their current winning streak against ACAC rivals to 42 games (34 in the regular season and eight in playoffs).
The series sweep of Augustana caps the club’s second-straight title and record 16th ACAC men’s hockey championship.
Before being recruited to the Ooks for the 2013-14 season, Sabourin played for the Merrit Centennials in the BCHL, where the 5’10” 160-pound defender netted 51 points over three years.
While some might think sharp shooting is the fastest way to the top of the leauge, the power engineering student said their incredible season had a lot more to do with fundamentals and teamwork than any Gretzky-style puck-handling.
“We work on our defensive structure,” Sabourin said.
“It’s all about including our forwards in that structure. Our system is a five-man unit and it’s not just about relying solely on the offence or the defence. We’re always reloading, always supporting the puck.
“If you look at our goals for and goals against, we shut it down pretty good. Offence takes care of itself when you’re playing defensively.”
A Clyde native, Sabourin has fond memories of growing up and learning to play hockey in Westlock.
“Growing up in Westlock really kick-started me and gave me the opportunity to play hockey and pursue it. Just being part of the team and hanging out with the guys, it taught me the dedication you have to have to make it at NAIT and in school,” Sabourin said.
A provincial title with the bantam squad in 2007 was a local highlight before moving on to the junior ranks in B.C. The skills he learned early on at the old Jubilee Arena have helped him to develop as a player and a person.
“We have a lot of guys that are in tough programs. It relates to the team aspect and the sacrifice you have to make on and off the ice. That carries over into other aspects of your life,” he said.
Still, like most athletes, he recalls most vividly the camaraderie of the sport and the friendships he’s made throughout the years.
“Just being part of the team and hanging out with the guys was a highlight,” he said.
