For the first time in its four year history, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack has signed an international player. The B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League team is pleased to announce that goaltender Adrien Hervillard of Sainte-Maur, France has decided to join the program for the fall of 2012.
Hervillard most recently played with the Junior 'A' Mattawa Voyageurs of the Greater Metro Junior Hockey League. In 2011-12 he was a GMJHL all-star appearing in 22 games, wining eight, losing nine with a goals against average of 3.67 and a saves percentage of .890.
The 5’11” Hervillard had some offers from NCAA schools but decided to come to Western Canada and Thompson Rivers University, where he will be enrolled in Business courses with an eye to get a BBA majoring in Economics.
"There are plenty of reasons why I chose Thompson Rivers," he says. "First of all, because of the team officials. Andre Larouche recruited me, he told me about the program and their objectives for the upcoming season and the quality of the organization. Then I spoke with Mr. Hans and he seemed really motivated to get me on his team so I accepted."
Hervillard is excited about attending TRU and living in British Columbia.
"I have the opportunity to play very competitive hockey and get an education. What else do I need to ask for? It’s a big chance for me to be able to play at this level and still go to school, we don’t have this kind of opportunity in France."
He played Midget AAA and two years of junior hockey in France before heading to Canada. He played the 2010-11 campaign with Elliot Lake of the GMJHL, where he led them to the league championship while appearing in 14 games, winning 13 of them with a goals against average of 3.00 and a saves percentage of .880.
Larouche, who has stepped down as the ‘Pack goaltending coach a few weeks ago, met Hervillard seven years ago.
"He was attending the Francois Allaire goalie school. I am convinced that Adrien will help our team. He will bring depth to the goaltending position with returning players Riley Wall (Kamloops, BC) and Shane Mainprize (Valemount, BC). He is a hard working athlete and I look forward to seeing him compete in the BCIHL."
Hervillard continues to work at Allaire’s goaltending school, where he has instructed since the age of 18.
"I went to his Swiss hockey school first," he says. "Then I heard he was doing one in Quebec so I went there. I have also worked at his school in Sweden."
Describing himself as a butterfly goaltender (in the Allaire mold), Hervillard would be content biding his time to get into the WolfPack line-up if he can’t unseat one of the veterans.
"I'm playing a team sport, if you win you do it as a team. If you lose, you lose as a team too. The most important thing for me is to help out as much as I can. If it is helping on the ice and playing—I will be there. If I have the chance to take the number one post, I will take my chance. But the most important thing is to win as a team and to capture the championship. I’m coming in as a freshman and I am here to learn."
Says head coach Don Schulz: "I am pleased to have a third accomplished goalie as part of the WolfPack. At this level, injuries, sickness and school commitments occur and it is always nice to know that you can practice or go into games with at least two goalies. Adrien brings a wealth of experience to our program and will push our two returning goalies. It’s all part of healthy competition and building for the future. Adrien will be a big part of our succession plan for this position. He’ll add an international aspect to our dressing room and I’m sure some unique insights. I am most pleased that Adrien has committed to us and is our first international player."
General manager Hans is also ecstatic about the team’s newest player.
"Adrien’s decision to attend TRU and play hockey for the ‘Pack is an important development for our program. He is an accomplished goaltender at the Junior “A” level in Ontario and brings considerable international hockey experience. While I am pleased with the play of our returnees, the opportunity to bring someone like Adrien into our program strengthens an already very strong position on our team and is a positive development for our organization."
The WolfPack begin their 2012-13 BCIHL season on October 1st . Their training camp starts the first week of September.
REBOUNDS: Hervillard’s favorite goalies growing up were Dominik Hasek, Patrick Roy and Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
"Over the past few years I really liked Jonas Hiller," he says. "Every time I have the chance to see him play, I’m alays impressed with the quality of his movements in the net, from side to side, he is always in position, facing the puck and ready for the shot."
He adds: "I try to learn from everybody, no matter the age they are or the level they play, you can always learn something."
Hervillard is the WolfPack’s ninth recruit for 2012-13. The others are: Anthony Delong (Castlegar Rebels, KIJHL), Brennan Wright (LaRonge Ice Wolves, SJHL), Tyler Jackson (Kamloops Storm, KIJHL), Rigby Burgart (Quesnel Millionaires, BCHL), Chase Edwards (Kamloops Storm, KIJHL), Colten De Frias (Kamloops Storm, KIJHL),Scott Bollefer (Nipawin Hawks, SJHL) and Ben Bula (La Ronge Ice Wolves, SJHL).
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