French hockey saw its “Jaromir Jagr” retire a few weeks ago. At 50, forward Richard Aimonetto, a former QMJHL player, completed his last lap with Mont-Blanc, a first division team.
He can put his name alongside those of Gordie Howe and Jaromir Jagr, who played in a professional league at the same age. A longevity as we rarely see today.
“I wanted to finish with a round number. I wanted to leave with my head held high, Richard Aimonetto said of his 30-year professional career. I never thought of playing until I was 50.
“I have often been told to enjoy every moment because it passes very quickly. At 32, where many players are retiring, I felt good and decided to continue.
“I never gave myself a rule to know when my career was going to end. It mostly happens in the head. When you play for fun, it comes naturally.
“There wasn’t a morning I woke up where I saw training or a game as a job.”
As a professional, he played 20 seasons in the Magnus League, including 12 with Chamonix. Thereafter, he spent his last 10 career seasons with Mont-Blanc in the first division. In his last season, the centerman amassed 12 points in 26 games.
A favorite
It’s possible that the name Aimonetto means something to fans in Quebec. It’s normal.
It all started with his participation in the Tournoi pee-wee de Québec. It made him want to come back to La Belle Province a few years later.
“I was fascinated by the NHL. When I was 16, I contacted Hockey Quebec to get an invitation to a Midget AAA camp. I did this behind my parents’ backs.
“I got a tryout with the Montreal-Bourassa club. I did camp and it worked.”
In 1989, it was rare to see a European land in Quebec. The reception had been rather cold from the other players.
“I was misunderstood. They called me the accursed Frenchman. I had the right to all the names because I was taking the place of a Quebecer. After I got my place, everyone was nice to me.
Accustomed to large rinks, Aimonetto needed a few weeks to adapt to the North American game.
“I struggled at first. The physical game, it did not exist in France. We were more technical. I had no choice but to grow by doing bodybuilding.
“I was just happy to be in the birthplace of hockey.”
happy as a pope
When he reviews his career, Aimonetto believes that he lived his most beautiful memory on Quebec soil.
“My finest moment is being drafted by the Victoriaville Tigres (seventh round, 83e in total), explained the new retiree. It was brand new. It was the stress of getting drafted.
“When I put on the Tigers jersey for the first time, I was happy as a pope! It was fantastic!”
After one season and a few games, he was traded to the Saint-Jean Lynx. In his second season with this team, he suffered a serious knee injury.
“It broke my cruising speed and I wasn’t able to find my level. At 20, I am in France to start my professional career.
Richard Aimonetto did not achieve his goal of making a career in North America. However, he managed to go a long way and finish it with his head held high.
Aimonetto scored Bouchard
Upon his arrival at the Montreal-Bourassa AAA midget camp, Richard Aimonetto quickly struck up a friendship with Joël Bouchard.
“They were two French, including Richard, at our camp, said Bouchard. They were a bit on their desert island.
“As I am an inclusive guy, I decided to go see them. We have become friends. Richard was a good person with good values. I asked lots of questions about France.”
Bouchard found Aimonetto brave to cross the Atlantic to try his luck in North American hockey.
“I found it hot to take such a step. It was a process of passion. He thought the best way for him was through here.
“He was a great player with a lot of talent. He came to learn the physical side. He was not afraid.”
Aimonetto had not made any friends within the French Ice Hockey Federation at the time. Due to his bold decision, he was unable to participate in the World Junior Hockey Championship. His federation had removed him from the list.
“It was not normal. It was a bit of a cowboy back then. The national federations were angry to see their players try their luck elsewhere.
QMI Agency Archives Photo
Joel Bouchard
A different style of play
Without remembering a particular anecdote, Bouchard remembers Aimonetto’s first games well in the midget AAA.
“He had a different style of play from the others. It was obvious, but we also saw the talent, mentioned Bouchard. We could see that he had played elsewhere in another caliber.
“He didn’t give up in every situation. He had proven he was capable of making the team with his performance on the ice.
“He had earned his ice time and his selection by Victoriaville in the repechage.”
QMJHL initiations: the veterans left him alone
The file of initiations in the QMJHL continues to cause a lot of ink to flow. For Richard Aimonetto, the limits have never been crossed.
When he arrived at the Montreal-Bourassa Midget AAA camp with his compatriot, the center player was shouted at by the other players.
To see a European was not common in those days. He was seen as a post thief. However, it never went any further in his case.
After being drafted by the Victoriaville Tigres, the Frenchman tasted his first camp in the QMJHL. He does not recall any particular incident with the recruits.
“I only remember that I had to fight three times,” Aimonetto said. Luckily, I didn’t fall. For me, it was a first. I had never fought before.”
Respected by veterans
Aimonetto had impressed the coaches of the Bois-Francs squad enough to secure a spot. At the time, Gilbert Perreault was in charge of the team.
Despite this great news, the striker had peace of mind about the initiations.
“I was always protected,” said Aimonetto. I didn’t drink so I wasn’t bothered.”
He also played with the Saint-Jean Lynx and the Shawinigan Cataractes in the QMJHL. He doesn’t remember seeing any unsightly events.
These athletes who pushed the limits of retirement
Hockey
- Gordie Howe (52)
- Jaromir Jagr (51 years old)
Baseball
- Satchel Paige (59)
- Minnie Minoso (56 years old)
- Jim O’Rourke (54)
Basketball
Cycling