Community Moment | William Villeneuve spending time with Saint John kids

 

William Villeneuve is an idol to many youngsters in his adopted city of Saint John, New Brunswick.

The defenseman knows it and he’s making sure to be a good role model to all these up-and-coming hockey players. It’s not rare to see him show up with his skates and stick to practice with a local minor hockey team.

For the Sherbrooke native, it’s not only a great time, but also a duty.

“I think all the little things are important, like skating with young players from the area from time to time”, says the 19-year-old athlete. “All they’re asking is for us to spend a little time with them on certain evenings.”

“I think it’s really important to give special attention to our young fans. Whether we’re at the rink, or in the streets of Saint John, we have to realize that we really are role models to them and that they follow everything we do very closely”, he adds. “It takes only a few minutes to chat with them and to show them how important they are to us.”

Villeneuve knows firsthand the impact a QMJHL player can have on youngsters. He and his family were the billets that welcomed former defenseman Dominic Talbot-Tassi under their roof during his time with the Sherbrooke Phoenix, between 2013 and 2015.

“I’ve been in those kids’ shoes before and so I realize just how important it is to take the time”, mentions the Toronto Maple Leafs fourth round pick in 2020. “My life revolved around major junior hockey growing up. So, for me, it’s crucial to give something back to the kids and to have an impact in their lives.”

Villeneuve says he wants to follow in the footsteps of Talbot-Tassi, who now skates in the North American Hockey League.

“I remember Dominic came to skate and practice with our team back in the days”, shares Villeneuve. “He was someone who would tackle as many community activities as he could. I learned from him the importance of giving back to the younger fans!”

“It was an incredible experience to share my everyday life with Dominic. When you’re 8 or 10 years old, major junior players are kind of like heroes to you. You admire them and dream of one day being in their shoes”, adds the Sea Dogs blueliner.

“I was able to see what it took to reach that level of excellence one day, and the importance of their role in the community. I think all of that serves me well today.”

Today, it’s Villeneuve’s turn to carry the torch. The Sherbrooke, Quebec native says he’s always overwhelmed by the kids’ reactions when he shows up with his Sea Dogs jersey on.

In their eyes, he sees a young William following the Sherbrooke Phoenix players’ every move.

“I see admiration. To them, junior hockey is something really big. It’s even more true in smaller markets around the league. We try to put ourselves in their shoes and we quickly realize the importance of all these little moments we share with them”, he states.

“I know exactly how they feel and that I can make a difference in their everyday life, simply by taking the time to chat with them or giving them a puck.”

The pandemic has evidently changed Villeneuve’s plans. He and his teammates can no longer go visit their young friends as often as they’d like.

“It’s been a little difficult since this whole thing began. But I was fortunate enough to go skate with a few teams last year. I signed autographs, posed for pictures, but more importantly, I spent some time chatting with all of them and getting to know them a little better. We really had some good times together”, says the Sea Dogs’ #13. “I think it’s important to take interest in what they are going through. They just want to know how life is in major junior.”

William Villeneuve says he feeds off the energy he gets from meeting all the young fans.

“I love having their positive attitude around me. Even if I just played the worst game of my career, it’s always refreshing to get those good vibes from the youngsters”, admits the four-year veteran.

Since William was the youngest of his family, he never had the chance of growing up with a big brother. That’s the kind of role he wants to play for all the kids who are following his career closely.

And it’s something he wants to keep doing in the future, no matter where his career takes him next.

“Wherever I end up, staying involved with the youth is something I want to keep doing”, he shares. “Those are values my parents taught me and it’s the least I can do to give something back to the people who’ve supported me, even in the middle of a pandemic.”