(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 only 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.
We wanted to play together. When we went to visit colleges, it was both together or nothing. It was good because we had the same offers. We have a good connection on the ice. I’m pretty much the passer and he’s the scorer. So from Tellier to Fillion.
Christophe Tellier, Quebec forward for the Quinnipiac University Bobcats
After 14 games, Tellier has a record of 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 quite a few classes together this session. We planned our lessons for the next session and we have them all together quite a bit too,” explains Fillion.
PHOTO GUILLAUME LEFRANÇOIS, THE PRESS
Christophe Fillion and Christophe Tellier
“It’s really special. I never thought I’d 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 players who have never been drafted, 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 go here with him! »
Large contingent
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 describe the group as 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 have done 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 to say that! Every time he says it, we laugh a lot,” says Duplessis.
It’s an advantage to play with other Quebecers, you feel closer to home. On the ice, we’re going to play a game, Charles [Legault] I’m going to be in the defense, he’s going to ask what, I’m going to tell him; do this, do that. And we can say it to each other in French.
Christophe Tellier, Quebec forward for the Quinnipiac University Bobcats
The quartet obviously keeps abreast of what is happening in Quebec. During the photo session, they took from the representative of The Press news from 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!