Tunnel vision
GATINEAU – The journey of a student-athlete is not a smooth one. Just ask 19-year-old Nathan Lévesque, who has achieved what very few players have in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League.
It was at the age of 19 that Nathan Lévesque was finally able to play his first full QMJHL campaign. Invited to the Gatineau Olympiques training camp in August 2023, the forward from the greater Montreal region came to the Outaouais region with the goal of proving that he deserved a spot on the Cecchini circuit.
“I had nothing to lose. I had trained very hard over the summer, and I wanted to turn heads during the camp. I’d only played 16 games in the QMJHL before, but I was convinced that I was capable of contributing to a team, no matter what role I was assigned,” explains Lévesque.
A goal that wasn’t too ambitious for him, given that he had made the headlines at junior AAA level, collecting 54 points (27 goals and 27 assists) in just 33 games during the 2022-2023 season. These results even earned him the title of Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Valleyfield Braves.
“I knew I had assets. The situation in Gatineau was also a good fit for me. In a rebuilding team, I knew I could play an important offensive role,” he adds.
And it has to be said that the left winger was right. His use of this role led to an excellent season of 60 points in 67 games (23 goals, 37 assists).
However, Nathan takes nothing for granted. He knows he’ll have to arrive at training camp ready to pick up where he left off.
“There are never any guarantees in field hockey. Whether you score 60 or 100 points, it makes absolutely no difference. You have to start all over again every year. I’ve learned that since I’ve been in the league.”
“As for me, I’m going into camp with one goal in mind. I really have tunnel vision right now. I’m on the ice and in the gym almost every day. I want to give myself every chance. I want the managers at camp to have no questions about me and my abilities,” he adds.
There’s no doubt about it, Nathan Lévesque wants to finish his career in an Olympiques uniform. The forward is grateful for the opportunity to play for the Outaouais organization
“It’s incredible in Gatineau. The fans are so involved and passionate. We went through some tough times this year, and despite everything, there were always good crowds. You don’t see that very often in junior. They give us so much confidence when we play at home. The atmosphere at the Slush Puppie Centre is just crazy. Even the players on the other teams say so. In my heart of hearts, the Olympiques fans are by far the best in the league.”
