(Hamden, Connecticut) Two friends spending their childhood and adolescence together is one thing. The neighborhoods of Montreal and the suburbs are full of examples. Doing it through Quebec, British Columbia, Iowa, Michigan and Connecticut is another.
This is what Christophe Fillion and Christophe Tellier did. Teammates at Quinnipiac University for a third season, the two Sherbrooke residents are just continuing what they have been doing since they were 5 years old: spending time together.
“We met on the first day of kindergarten and since then, he’s been my best friend,” Tellier says simply, Marlins cap screwed on his head. We always played against each other. In the summer, we were together. I played more often with him than without him. At school, we did all of our primary and almost all of our secondary school together, and now it’s university. »
The two attackers lived in the same area in Sherbrooke. “Two minutes by car, or 10 minutes by bike. We did it quite often by bike! », Confirms Fillion.
Their files on Elite Prospects sometimes give the impression of consulting the same page twice because the same names come up. Bishop’s College School in 2013-2014. Iowa Wild from 2016 to 2018. Wenatchee Wild in 2018-2019. They crossed paths briefly in Muskegon in 2020-21, and have now been teammates at Quinnipiac since 2021. And that’s no coincidence.
After 14 games, Tellier has 4 goals and 10 assists, while Fillion has 5 goals and 4 assists.
They often play in the same trio, but if that wasn’t enough, they also rub shoulders in class. “We have pretty much all our classes together this semester. We planned our lessons for the next session and we have them all together quite a bit too,” explains Fillion.
“It’s really special. I never thought I would be here with him one day. When we started, we just played hockey. Our parents are often together. When we won the national championship, both our families were in Tampa, crying together. »
The two accomplices are 23 years old. The university adventure is over and they are well aware that as undrafted players, they will not have the luxury of the Sedin twins to offer themselves as a “package” in order to continue their journey together.
“I think it stops here,” admits Tellier. But we had great experiences. We are ready to let go. That’s life. We still got far. I never thought I would get here with him! »
Quebec is everywhere for the Bobcats. Defender Charles-Alexis Legault and goalkeeper Vincent Duplessis are added to the two Christophes for the men, while in the women’s team, Mascouchoise Maya Labad represents this bubble of France in the north of a continent.
Cameron Boon, publicist for the men’s team, likes to call the group the “French Connection.” “I’m from Buffalo, but I don’t think they understand the reference to Gilbert Perreault’s trio! », he says.
The many Canadians on the team who did French immersion recognize a few words. And then there is defender Iivari Räsänen, a Finn. “He really likes the phrase: “Chus magané.” He really likes saying that! Every time he says it, we laugh a lot,” says Duplessis.
The quartet obviously keeps abreast of what is happening in Quebec. During the photo session, they took news from the La Presse representative about Joshua Roy. “Do you think the Canadian will call him back? », asks one of them.
We can take the guys out of Quebec, but not the Quebec of the guys!