La Broquerie adds 4 people to its Hockey Hall of Fame

There are four new members of the Habs Hockey Hall of Fame in La Broquerie. A special ceremony took place on Saturday during Hockey Day. 

Candace Morrow is president of La Broquerie Minor Hockey Association. 

She says Jules Balcaen has been a member of their hockey world since the 60’s and is very deserving of this recognition. 

“He has served on the club, he’s been instrumental,” she says. “And now he’s a grandparent and he doesn't miss practices and games to come watch, so he's a really huge part of our community.”  

Morrow says Denis Carrière was also added to the Hall of Fame, noting that he has been involved with La Broquerie hockey since he moved to the community in the 80’s. 

“He played with the juniors, he’s coached, he has managed, he built the trophy case in the arena, he builds things for the arena, so we have storage for stuff.” 

She says Steve Hildebrand was recognized for being part of the sports club for 10 years and served on the board. 

“He has coached, managed, done the Junior Habs, the Senior Habs, still is our ice scheduler so he is still giving his time while managing his own kids’ hockey teams. He is a wealth of knowledge and I rely on him greatly.” 

Morrow says Patrick Tétrault is also a valuable member of their hockey community. She notes that he grew up playing hockey in La Broquerie and has been on many championship teams. 

“He has three girls and without him championing for girls' hockey, which he coaches and or manages or takes on every role possible to do that, he's our female Rep on our board right now as well, I don't think that program would be quite in the position that it is.” 

La Broquerie’s Hockey Day is an annual event that began in 2004, Morrow says, as a way to honour, promote, and highlight all players from U7 to U18. The daylong event is filled with hockey games featuring local teams. 

Morrow notes they have multiple teams and age groups along with a very strong female presence. 

“One of our U9 teams is almost entirely comprised of girls, and then we have a U18 girls' team.” 

 Morrow says they have been fortunate to have an all-female team representing library for the last number of years. 

-With files from Carly Koop