Laurent Dauphin is 27, Jean-Sébastien Dea is 28. At this age, it’s make or break in the National League. For that to happen, you have to run and seize the opportunities.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
This is exactly what the two Quebecers did by agreeing with the Arizona Coyotes when the free agent market opened. The Press met them on Saturday, backstage at the Center d’Excellence Sports Rousseau in Boisbriand for the Kevin Raphael Classic for Leucan.
By showing up in Laval at the start of the 2021-2022 season, Dauphin was entering his third season in the Rocket uniform. Recalled by the Canadian in December, he never had to return to the North Shore of Montreal. In 38 games, he recorded 12 points.
Before this recall, Dauphin’s last game in the Bettman circuit was on January 10, 2019. And the one before, on March 7, 2018. It was with the Arizona Coyotes.
“When you’ve been in the American League for a long time and you haven’t played in the National League for a while, it gets a little tougher mentally. But you try to continue and, at worst, to establish yourself in the American League and make good money anyway, ”he explains.
“At some point, it becomes a bit unexpected,” he admits.
This time, Dauphin had a real chance to assert himself. Probably the best of his career.
To finally be able to establish myself on a National League team, to feel that I was part of the team, that was the fun.
Laurent Dauphin
In search of a contract at the end of the season, the native of Repentigny had discussions with various teams, including the Canadian. But he settled on the Coyotes. The team that picked him up. This will be the third time in his career that he returns with the desert formation. He agreed to terms on a one-year, $750,000 contract.
“It’s mainly on the opportunity side. I want to have the most [de chances] possible to play in the National League. Maybe I wanted to feel more wanted too. But it was mostly a better opportunity. »
The Coyotes are still rebuilding. Despite the hiring of a few veterans, there is room. When Dauphin is asked if a return to the American League is an option, it is a very frank “no”.
“I know it can happen, you never know what will happen, but I’m confident in my abilities and in my summer right now. The way I felt last year, and when I look at the Arizona roster, I see myself playing in the National League. »
A last chance
Jean-Sébastien Dea makes no secret of it: this two-year, two-part contract with the Coyotes represents his last chance to “break through” in the big league. If that doesn’t work out, he’ll go to Europe with his head held high.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jean-Sébastien Dea in the Laval Rocket uniform
The Quebecer, who has been an important cog in the Rocket’s long run in the playoffs, was in the Turquoise Islands with his girlfriend when the free agent market opened. He made several phone calls to his agent. Various offers were on the table. But Dea wanted to check with the Arizona roster.
“I like the sun and the heat,” he says with a smile. Maybe I wanted to go somewhere with better weather, especially since I don’t have many years left in America. »
His attempt was also motivated by the presence of Quebec head coach André Tourigny, who took over the reins of the team a year ago. Tourigny coached him for two seasons with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the QMJHL.
“He called me during the day,” he says. We had some nice conversations. »
He [André Tourigny] told me that they had great opportunities for me, that he knew what I was capable of doing. It’s just gonna be fun getting there, seeing a familiar face.
Jean-Sebastien Dea
Dea says he had discussions with the Habs. “But I don’t think they were interested in giving me a National League contract,” he said. I wanted at least a two-way contract, especially with the season I had. I thought I deserved at least that. »
The Laval native spent the entirety of the last campaign with the Rocket, with which he amassed 52 points in 70 games. When the opportunity arose to play a game with CH, he tested positive for COVID-19. Result which later turned out to be a false positive. “It’s boring, but it’s part of the gameand I have no regrets at all,” he says.
“I will not hide that I would have really liked to come back [avec Montréal], but at some point, you have to listen to what life brings you and all that. It’s okay, I’m at peace with that. I think I left a good mark in Laval, I had a very good season and I can grow. It was an extraordinary experience. »
The KR Classic for Leucan
Saturday was the 7e edition of the Kevin Raphael Classic. An amount of $54,727 was raised for Leucan, a record. The event appeared under an improved version this year, when three games were organized: a women’s hockey game, a three on three and the Classic game itself. Several dozen professional players and stars from all walks of life took part. Already an hour before the start of the event, dozens of people lined up in front of the Sports Rousseau Center of Excellence. More than 1,000 tickets were sold in presale, another record. “I wanted to focus on women’s hockey for the first game, to show that the girls are good. After that, I found myself with too many guys who wanted to come! throws Kevin Raphael to The Press. […] It’s relaxed, it’s a friendly atmosphere and it’s a good cause. »