Take 5 with Lewy's Legion - Pierre-Olivier Morin

October 1, 2010 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Lewiston MAINEiacs News Release


The Lewiston MAINEiacs are on the road in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of northwestern Quebec as they look to get even with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies this evening at 7:30, before shifting 1 hour east on Route 117 to Val-d'Or for a pair of tilts with the Foreurs Saturday at 7 PM and again Sunday afternoon at 4 PM. Be sure to listen in 15 minutes before each contest for the pre-game show with the radio voice of the MAINEiacs Alex Reed for all the latest information and to look ahead at each contest!

You can follow all the live video action on the TELUS QMJHL Webcast Network or tune in to the L-A Harley Davidson / Lewiston MAINEiacs Radio Network - WEZR-AM 1240 (Auburn), WTME-AM 780 (Rumford) or WTKQ-AM 1450 (South Paris) as well as on the internet www.ez1240.com/maineiacs.html!

Meet the MAINEiac - Pierre-Olivier Morin

-By Michelle Manson

Pierre-Olivier (affectionately known as PO) started playing hockey when he was just 4 years old. He says, "my dad registered me and I loved it right away and ever since." Like most Canadian hockey players, PO had an ice rink just down the block, only two minutes, from where he lived. It seems that in Canada there is usually an ice rink on every corner. PO had always lived at home growing up playing hockey. Some kids leave home and live in billet homes when they are as young as 10 or 11 years old. PO had his first billet experience when he came to the Lewiston MAINEiacs. Home to him here is with Michael and Jeanne Carpenter. He shares this home with Michael and Jeanne and their two young adult children Mike and Jackie.

PO knows that he is here to play hockey and he has goals and dreams that he would love nothing more than to achieve. But he enjoys the fans and the community here as well. This is PO's 4th year with the team and he feels like he knows the organization well. He has seen a lot of changes over the past 4 years. As an assistant captain, PO knows that it is important to help the new guys along for their success and the team's success. It is tough to be away from home, adapt to a new or unfamiliar language, meet the demanding schedule of school, community, and hockey. PO tries to help the new guys adjust to all that by being a leader on and off the ice. He says that he is often quiet, a silent leader of sorts. He speaks up when necessary and he really tries to lead by example on and off the ice. Knowing PO personally, I think he is a fantastic role model for young hockey players and the youth of our community.

It is not uncommon to see PO's family at the Colisee on any given weekend. His dad rarely misses a game and even went to watch him play in the Maritimes last year. PO's mom can often be seen sitting with his dad quietly cheering for their son and the MAINEiacs. His dad is a very quiet man with a warm, genuine smile. When PO speaks of family it is easy to see how important family is to him. He grew up playing hockey and his sister, now 25 years old, figure skated. That is a lot of time in the ice rink for one family! When I asked PO, if there is one thing you could say to your family right now, what would it be? He was very quick to say, "THANK YOU!" PO continues by saying, "My family spent so much time traveling and in arenas supporting me while growing up. They would get up early. They have always been there for me. My success is because of them. I could have never done any of this without them."

As far as PO's family locally, the Carpenter's, he very much echoed that of what he said of his own family. He says again, "THANK YOU, they spoil me, it is important to be happy to succeed and I am very happy with my billet family. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Mike, PO's billet brother, also grew up playing hockey so it is very easy to talk to talk about hockey. They like to talk about their game and share tips.

PO's Vancouver experience has been well documented through other interviews but I'll share a few notes on his experience also. PO was invited to the Canucks development camp this summer. This was his first chance to see the city as he came into the MAINEiacs organization the year after the team's trip to the Memorial Cup in Vancouver. The winter Olympics were held there just a few months before and there was a lot of facilities still there from the Olympics. "It was great," he says. Of his recent invite to the Vancouver camp, he says, "to be in the locker room and on the ice with the NHL guys was amazing and I learned a lot from the experience!" As an invite, PO had absolutely nothing to lose. He really took the approach that he was going to go out there and work hard to show them what he has (skill wise) and what type of player he is. He really tried not to put any pressure on himself and he feels that is why he had such a solid camp. His billet brother followed him very closely while he was out there. I think he may have been more nervous than PO at times. How fantastic when an aspiring hockey player has so much support around them. There is no doubt that PO is sincere in his appreciation of his family, billet family, friends, fans, and the organization he plays for, the MAINEiacs.

As for his goal for the team this year, he says, "it should be a great season and he wants the team to go as far as it can in playoffs." And of course, "the goal for any team in any year is to play for the Memorial Cup!"

1250 fans on Facebook and growing more and more everyday! Are you one of them? For all the late breaking news, upcoming contests, and fun for all, be sure to "Like" our page today!

Tickets to the "Pink in the Rink" game vs. the Victoriaville Tigres on Friday October 8th can be purchased for just $10 each ($4.50 saving off the box office price) at Simones' Hot Dog Stand and at other local retailers, or contact Rita at pinkrink@gwi.net, or Crystal at Crystal.Derocher@cancer.org.

Lewy's Legion has a NEW chat board for MAINEiacs Fans! Click HERE to join in the discussions!

Look For Lewy this Saturday at the Dempsey Challenge Kids Zone! If you would like to book Lewy at your community, please contact the MAINEiacs Office at 333-3267.

The Lewiston MAINEiacs are now on Twitter!

TIME AGAIN TO TAILGATE!

Come on out Sunday October 10th prior to the 4 PM game against Victoriaville for the spectacle that is MAINEiacs Tailgate! Bring the sticks, balls, nets, grills and the entire family for fellowship with Lewy's Legion! Opening weekend was a blast and it's time to do it again!

Weekender Family Packs & 10-game Mini-Season Ticket packages are all on sale now! Reserve your seats today! Call or stop by the Box Office at Androscoggin Bank Colisee at 783-2009 or order online at www.thecolisee.com

MAINEiacs Next 5 Games:

Fri 10/1 @ Rouyn-Noranda 7:30 PM

Sat 10/2 @ Val-d'Or 7:00 PM

Sun 10/3 @ Val-d'Or 4:00 PM

Fri 10/8 vs. Victoriaville 7:00 PM -

Pink in the Rink Night

Sun 10/10 vs. Victoriaville 4:00 PM - Fan Tailgate Party

'Take 5 With Lewy's Legion' is a volunteer produced newsletter. The Lewiston MAINEiacs would like to thank all of our dedicated, hardworking volunteers for all of their contributions. Lewy's Legion is the ultimate fan experience of the Lewiston MAINEiacs hockey team! For more information, please email maineiacspr@gmail.com.



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from October 1, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central