Desrosiers hopes for success at Allan Cup

Desrosiers hopes for success at Allan Cup

By Jeremy Fraser
April 10, 2015

They say the third time's a charm, something New Waterford's Ryan Desrosiers hopes is true as he and the Clarenville Caribous get set to host the Allan Cup next week in Clarenville, N.L.

This year will mark the third straight year the Caribous have participated in the national championship.

In 2013, Clarenville was defeated 3-0 in the championship game by the Bentley Generals in Red Deer, Alta., while last year, the team suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss in the finals to the Dundas Real McCoys in Dundas, Ont.

Desrosiers has played with the Caribous for the past four seasons and participated in the Allan Cup the last three years, one as a rental to the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts in 2012.

It's tough losing back-to-back years in the championship game, said Desorisers.

"We have been knocking on the door the last two years."

"Last year was extremely tough as the game-winning goal was scored off a faceoff. It's in the back of our minds."

In order for the club to have success in the tournament, the team must be ready to play, he said.

"It's a short tournament. We have to be focused on winning a national championship."

The Allan Cup is a trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men’s champions.  It was donated by Sir Montague Allan of Ravenscrag, Montreal, and has been competed for since 1909.

Ivan Hapgood has been coaching the Clarenville squad for the past four seasons.

He said the team has just as good of a chance to win as the others.

"We will have four good lines at the tournament. We have a lot of guys with experience on this roster."

During the regular season, the Caribous finished tied for second overall in the Newfoundland Central West Senior Hockey League with a record of 13 wins, 10 losses and one overtime loss, one point behind the Corner Brook Royals for first overall.

This year, Desrosiers had one of his best seasons in the league, recording 20 goals and 18 assists in 21 games. He finished one point behind former Cape Breton Screaming Eagle Cam Fergus in the league's scoring race.

Desorisers is happy with his performance on the ice.

"It was one of my better years in Newfoundland. I'm lucky to have played with such great guys."

Desrosiers is a strong forward that plays with a chip on his shoulder, said Hapgood.

"He's a top forward in the league. He has the scoring ability and is able to put up big points."

During the season, the team dealt with a number of issues from injuries to players not being able to make it to games.

At times, the team was lucky to have three lines, said Desrosiers.

"We fared out well for what we had with guys being in and out of our lineup."

The Caribous have not played in game action for close to eight weeks. The team played their final league game on Feb. 15 against Grand Falls-Windsor.

It's not the ideal situation, said Desrosiers.

"The guys have to stay sharp, practice when they can and be in the gym in preparation for the tournament."

The players will be ready to play, said Hapgood.

"It's not like the old days when a team was knocked out and the players did nothing. Times have changed and I know our players have been working hard to stay sharp."

Clarenville opens the tournament on Monday at 8 p.m. against P'tit Mousse de Lameque. The Caribous will wrap up the round robin on Tuesday at 8 p.m. against the Bentley Generals.

Hapgood has high expectations for Desrosiers.

"I'm expecting a big Allan Cup from Ryan. Each year he has become better and better and I know he will be ready for the tournament."

The Allan Cup final will take place on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. The game can be seen live on TSN.