Black History Month: Igor Mburanumwe
Igor Mburanumwe was surprised his dream of playing in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League became a reality. Now, four years later, the veteran defenceman believes his Q-journey lead him to the strong leadership core he’s part of today.
“It was a big dream of mine to even get to that level,” said Mburanumwe. “So, from that point on I just, you never take a day for granted. You just try to make the right things every day and try to see where it leads you.”
Drafted 95th overall in the sixth round of the 2020 QMJHL Entry Draft by Victoriaville, the six-foot-five, 206-pound blue-liner competed for the Tigres from 2021 to 2023.
He’s continuously improved and honed his game since his rookie season, going from five assists in 63 games, to tallying two goals and nine assists in 65 games the next season.
The numbers started adding up since joining the Titan, with Mburanumwe really leaning into his role within the team. In 45 games to date with Acadie-Bathurst, he has seven goals and nine assists with a plus/minus of 13.
As he reflects on his major junior career, Mburanumwe said he had “some great years” competing for Victoriaville. He learned from his experiences each season and continued to put the hard work in to improve each year.
“I just knew that like that’s the dream that I want to live and I want to give it a try and do the best that I can,” he said. “Basically, lead to me being part of that good leadership group [in Bathurst].”
Youth, hockey, Subban and the beautiful game
In a loving gesture to his parents and pride in his heritage, Mburanumwe’s Instagram includes flags of the Republic of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where his parents were born.
Both his parents played sports in their youth, and they wanted Igor and his younger brother, Loic, to try different sports growing up.
The first sport Mburanumwe took up was soccer (football) when he was three years old and living in Montreal. It wouldn’t be until a few years later, when he was six and their family moved to Chambly when he would begin his foray into hockey.
“When I was a kid, every other guy would play hockey, you know in the winter, so my parents didn’t know the sport because they came from Africa,” he said. “Seeing the other guys playing at like, in the breaks and stuff, you know, I started getting into it.”
From then on Mburanumwe said he would play hockey throughout the winter, and soccer all summer. However, by the time he entered École Fadette – a high school which focusses on athletics in the morning and academics in the afternoon – he needed to make a choice.
“That’s when I chose hockey.”
It wasn’t an easy decision, he said because he believed he was better on the pitch than on the ice. But, with the Montreal Canadiens playing so close to him, he said it looked like “an unreal experience” with the NHL and P.K. Subban so close to home.
“Professional football is so far away it’s so hard and such a difficult route. Compared to like in perspective, it kind of looked easier, more achievable if you were a good hockey player,” he said. “So, that’s why I’d just give it a try.”
When Mburanumwe first started learning how to play hockey, Subban was making his rookie debut with the Habs. It was serendipitous to see a player he could relate to on his favourite team.
“It was really, like kind of the perfect timing,” he said. “Because you know, you kind of see a guy like you being really good, playing close to your home. Maybe I can be like him.”
“He was an easy guy to look up to.”
Mburanumwe said even at a young age “you know that guys are a little bit different than you.”
“So, when you see a guy like P.K. Subban, you’re like okay, guys like me can also get to that level and be good players.”
Now, looking back as a veteran in the league, Mburanumwe has a clear message for youth who may feel different.
“Hockey is for everyone.”
He said to keep working hard, even if feeling left out at times.
“In the team you’re always going to meet some good people that are going to make you feel as part of the group,” he said. “Just to never stop, never go away from your dream. Because, if that’s what you want you should keep working for it.”
Overall, Mburanumwe agreed hockey is becoming more inclusive in general, even since his time in minor hockey.
“There’s actually good players that have different ethnicities, different backgrounds and it’s really cool because it just gives life to the sport.”
Legacy in the Q
Mburanumwe wears the ‘A’ this season for the Titan alongside Bobby Orr, Emile Perron and captain, Milo Roelens.
He believes as a player, the defensive defenceman said he brings “stability” to the blueline. As for his leadership role, he said he always tries to be honest with his teammates and to just work hard.
“Sometimes it can get hard, so to remember everybody on the team has a certain level of talent.”
The love of the game, hard work and dedication is something Mburanumwe and his brother Loic, share.
When Mburanumwe started playing hockey, his younger brother joined in and now the game has taken Loic to the Gatineau L’Intrépide (QM18AAA) and Princeville Titan (QJHL).
Following his major junior career, Mburanumwe will pursue a degree in finance while playing university hockey.
Their parents – who are hard pressed to miss a game in person or online – are proud of their achievements and “how far we’ve come” in the game.
“When we started, especially for me…we were discovering the sport at the same time,” he said. “So, I wasn’t necessarily at the level of as so many other guys.”
As for his major junior legacy, he hopes he’s remembered as someone of resilience, leadership and determination.
“Just to show the kids that like, if you work hard, if you do the right things, good things can happen.”
By: K Bryannah James
