Alexandre Alain, Perfect example of hockey/study balance

People often wonder if it’s really possible to give 100% to one’s studies while still being a performance player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). When the answer to this question is ‘Yes’ you might imagine that the player must spend hours shut up every day studying or that they have no social life. You would be wrong, however.

Alexandre Alain of the Gatineau Olympiques is living proof that a hockey/study balance is absolutely possible, all while maintaining an active social life. The 18-year-old Quebec native player is in his third year with the Olympiques, who drafted him in his last year of high school. For the last two years he has been enrolled in the Natural Sciences programme at the Cégep of the Outaouais. This is a programme that is usually completed in 2 years, but considering his duties as member of Olympiques, he intends to complete it is 4.

‘I still don’t know what I want to do, but I’m really interested in the areas of health and public relations. Ever since I started playing hockey, I’ve rubbed shoulders with physiotherapists, doctors, and other health specialists. The human aspect interests me a lot. I also like things to do with business. At this stage of my life my career goal is to become an owner-pharmacist but nothing is for sure,’ said the 6’1”, 173 lbs center.

Key to Success? Discipline and independence

In order to excel in school as much as on the ice, he applies two concepts: Discipline and independence. Alain stands out by living by these two principles.

‘Let’s say that without discipline it would be very easy to get on the wrong track. I take part in many activities, I have an active social life, I don’t deprive myself things for the sake of school, but there are nights when I have to stay home to get my homework done. Sometimes I work at home, other times I go to the library, but there is a life around that too.’

The numerous team trips are the chief obstacle to a hockey/study balance. The regular out-of-town stays can sometimes be long, but the forward swears that with a little independence it’s possible for him to keep up to date with his studies. ‘I inform my teachers of my situation right from the start of the season. I demonstrate that despite all that, I want to be up to date with the material and to catch up in any way I can. When the professors see that you are interested, they are helpful and understanding.’

Some players use the long bus trips to sleep or play video games, but Alain takes advantage of these times to talk to his professors and to get notes for classes that he will be missing in the coming days. ‘The best thing is to catch up on the material before you get back to class. That way you are less rusty and can get caught up more quickly. In my programme we have a lot of labs that have to be prepared at home before coming to class, so it twice as important to be ready,’ he added, emphasising that hockey would never be a roadblock to his studies.

The best grades possible

Alain’s course load has varied from one semester to another. For example, last fall he was enrolled in three classes at the Cégep of the Outaouais and one by correspondence. He soon realized that if he wanted to take part in the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks’ training camp, the start to his semester was going to be more difficult than foreseen. So he changed his time management by taking two courses in person and two by correspondence.

‘It would have been very doable to keep my three class courses. On the other hand, I wouldn’t necessarily have had the grades I was hoping for. I’m not happy just passing my courses, I want good grades. This semester, I am glad to be concentrating of fewer courses which require being there in person, but working harder on the ones I have kept,’ he said.

What does ‘Good grades’ mean? ‘That means getting good grades compared to the average. It’s being better than average. To have the best R score possible. To be honest, having the best grades possible will open the doors for the future,’ added the player nominated for best academic player in October, 2014.

The Olympiques’ #91 has 6 goals and 5 assists in 22 outings this season for an efficiency rate of 9.8%. In 62 games last year, he had 27 points.

Translation: Richard Dumas