by Tim Morris
Ottawa Junior Senators center Philippe Jacques never takes what he’s achieved for granted.
“I always play with a chip on my shoulder,” he explained. “I’ve worked so hard all my life. I always have to better myself.”
It’s that drive that has made the Quebec City native one of the best players in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) this season.
The imposing 6-4, 190 pound forward finished the regular season second in the league in scoring with 76 points in 52 games on 31 goals and 45 assists.
More important to Jacques, the Junior Senators won both the CCHL’s Yzerman Division and overall regular season titles and are on the way to the playoffs looking to defend their Bogart Cup championship.
“I’m looking forward to the playoffs,” said Jacques, who was traded to the Junior Senators from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League before the start of the 2021-22 season. “We have character players with the ability to deal with adversity.”
“Although it doesn’t show, we had some adversity (three-game skid) and we bounced back,” he added. “We can take it up a notch for the playoffs.”
Jacques is the first one to credit his teammates for his success this season.
“My teammates have helped me grow my game,” he pointed out. “I’ve developed a good connection with a number of players. We have good chemistry.”
Jacques has a high hockey IQ and that is a big reason for his offensive production. He knows what to do and how to get everyone involved on the ice.
“You have to get everyone on the same page and be in the right place at the right time,” he noted.
A left-handed shooter, Jacques uses a quick release with some deception, to beat goalies. He explained that he mixes his skating motion with his shot. The idea is to keep goalies guessing whether he is going to shoot or pass. That moment of hesitancy is all he needs to slap a shot past them.
Jacques relishes playing both ends of the ice with equal fervor.
“I consider myself a smart player,” the center remarked. “I take pride in playing offense and defense.”
He takes pride in playing on the power play and penalty kill units, as well. “Coach (Kyle Makaric) trusts me in the important moments,” he added.
Based on Jacques’s commitment to consistently improve his game, Ottawa was the perfect stop for him.
“They hold you to a higher standard,” said Jacques of the Ottawa coaches. “They’ve helped me improve my game.”
“They hold me accountable. If I do something wrong, I know to not do it again.”
As trying as last season was for all the junior hockey players, Jacques tried to think positive.
“It was hard last year with no games and only practices,” he noted. “It was a good test of your mental strength.”
“It helped me grow as a person,” he added.
Jacques kept busy during the summer in preparation of joining the Junior Senators.
“I had a good off-season working with my skating and strength coaches,” he said.
Whenever the season ends, hopefully with more Cup championships, Jacques can look ahead to his next stop, college hockey. He will be playing for the Division I Rochester Institute of Technology.
Having played for Ottawa this season, “I’m more ready for the next level,” said Jacques.
