Despite having a bit of a rough season Poirier learned a lot as the captain of Ulysse Académie’s varsity team
By Rowan McCarthy
The Ottawa Junior Senators are excited to announce that 2006-born defenseman Antoine Poirier will sign with the team for the upcoming season.
“I was really happy to have the opportunity to play for the Junior Senators,” said Poirier. “I’m excited to play in the CCHL, I think it’s a great league and a great place for me to develop.”
Last season, Poirier was the captain of the Ulysse Académie varsity squad. During that time, he scored one goal and recorded eight assists for a total of nine points in 23 games.
That number was third highest amongst defensemen on the Ulysse team and eighth highest on the team.
“The first half of the season was pretty tough. We lost a few games in a row and the team was pretty down,” said Poirier. “When you are winning it is easy to play well and have high moral. I spoke with my coach and tried to set things up to help us win … We had a great second half, and that taught me a lot about how to be a leader. ”
Poirier prides himself on being a hard worker who competes in all three zones. He has the vision and ability to make strong first passes and the speed to join the rush and become part of the plays he helps to create.
Poirier’s hard work and knowledge about leadership will be very important for the upcoming season considering the graduation of veteran defensemen Jacob Renaud-Viau and Anthony Ménard.
While he is excited to transition to junior hockey, Poirier recognizes that there will be some growing pains along the way.
“The game will be faster and much more physical … The guys [there] are bigger and older. I think it’s just one of those things that make junior a bit different from prep,” said Poirier. “I think I will need to play my game but pick up the pace and be a bit quicker when I make plays.”
In his down time, Poirier enjoys playing golf and camping when he can. He says that, while he’s been on a bit of a country kick due to his friends back home in Blainville, he likes listening to lots of different music.
Poirier joins fellow defensive signing Merlin Offman as part of a revamped D-core going into the 2024-25 season.
