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Capitals Acquire Pair of Quebecers

Duncan, BC – The Cowichan Valley Capitals junior A hockey club is pleased to announce the acquisition of two players for the upcoming season: 19-year-old goalie Yann Dery and 18-year-old forward David Laroche, both having played last season with teams in the Quebec CEGEP Hockey League (QCHL), a junior-college league in the province.

Dery, a 1998-born goalie, spent the past two seasons with the Rebelles du CEGEP de Sorel-Tracy, based in Sorel-Tracy, QC. This past season, Dery went 15-12 with a 2.34 goals-against average, .912 save-percentage and four shutouts. The native of Terrebonne, QC was also named to the QCHL all-star team last year.

“He’s as acrobatic and athletic as I’ve ever seen a goaltender, and he’s very good technically,” said Lou Gravel, Capitals’ Director of Scouting and Recruiting in regards to Dery. “And off the ice… the best type of character kid you want to have on a hockey club.”

Dery and Adam Marcoux, who will be entering his second season with the Capitals, give the Capitals two 19-year-old netminders in the crease.

“That gives us a one-two punch,” Gravel said. “We’re going to have two guys that can play, which is a luxury.”

Laroche, a 1999-born forward, played last year with the Cougars College Champlain-Lennoxville, who play in Sherbrooke, QC. As a 17-year-old last season, the Stoke, QC native Laroche tallied 13 goals and 26 points in 23 games, as well as a plus-10 rating. Among all forwards in the QCHL with at least 23 games played, Laroche was in the top-10 for points-per-game average.

“We’re talking about a sniper here,” Gravel commented on Laroche. “He was on the top line with Champlain College; he’s a top-six guy for us in Cowichan. He’ll bring us some offense… he’s good all over the ice but his main attributes are speed and offense.”

Both Dery and Laroche were first seen by the Capitals at the NHL pre-draft tournament in Boston this past spring.

“When [Dery] played at the pre-draft tournament, he stood on his head – against college guys and QMJHL guys,” Gravel said. “[Laroche] played with and against guys who are already in the BCHL, and he stood out.”

To purchase Capitals season tickets, or tickets to any home game, visit the box office or call 250-748-9930, or email marie.ruzesky@cowichancapitals.com, or scott.yanko@cowichancapitals.com.

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