Coach's Corner: An Interview with Curling Head Coach, Dan Lemieux

Welcome to "Coach's Corner," where we get the inside scoop from the coaches at Sault College. Today, we have the privilege of interviewing Dan Lemieux, the Head Coach of the Sault College Curling program. Let's dive into his insights for the upcoming season.

As a 6th-year coach at Sault College, what are you looking forward to most this season?

Coach Dan Lemieux: This season, the curling program is eager to host the OCAA championships on home ice at the YNCU Curling Centre. We have a diverse group of both new and returning curlers, each bringing valuable competitive experience to the team. The majority of our curlers are local athletes, and it's a fantastic opportunity for them to showcase their talents in their hometown. Last year, both our men's and women's teams secured top-4 finishes in the OCAA, qualifying for the CCAA championships. We aim to build on last year's results by leveraging our gained experience to be mentally and physically prepared for the challenging season ahead.

In what ways have you seen the program grow over the years?

Coach Lemieux: Since taking the reins in 2017, the program has witnessed substantial growth. We've established a well-rounded coaching staff, each member contributing unique skills for our athletes' development. Our consistent appearances in four CCAA championships on the men's side and two on the women's side have stimulated both local and out-of-province recruitment. In addition to our success in the OCAA/CCAA, we've ventured into competitions on the Ontario Curling Tour. This not only enhances our current athletes' skills but also exposes the Sault College curling program to prospective Cougars who aren't local to Sault Ste. Marie. We've also introduced mixed doubles to our program this season, and we're excited to work with some of our athletes in this new discipline.

What veteran players do you think will make a big impact for your team this season?

Coach Lemieux: All our veteran players competed in last season's CCAA championships and can draw from that experience to make a significant impact this season. Three of these veterans have already demonstrated their potential by earning major awards at last year's athletic awards banquet. From the men's team, we have Connor Simms (Male Athlete of the Year) and Charles Darling (Male Rookie of the Year) returning. From the women's team, we have Taylor Pelletier-Cullerier (Female Cougar Pride Award). These athletes have shown the same energy and commitment to improvement this season, which will undoubtedly continue to positively impact our team!

Tell us about some of the new players joining the team this year.

Coach Lemieux: This season, we're thrilled to welcome four local recruits from Korah Collegiate who have demonstrated their ability to compete at a high level. Our new additions on the women's side are Brooke Nicholson and Ava Engel, who were part of Korah's successful girls' curling team last season. They clinched the high school city championships and earned a silver medal at NOSSA. Brooke also received the Bob Faught Award for the most valuable female high school curler in Sault Ste. Marie. On the men's side, we have Evan Robert and Ben Appleton, who competed together on Korah's boys' curling team and achieved similar results. Evan received the Rotary Award for the most valuable male high school curler in Sault Ste. Marie. Beyond the high school level, Evan and Ben represented Northern Ontario at last year's U18 Canadian Curling Championships. Their experience sets them up well for the demands of OCAA competition.

What's the team's overall goal this season?

Coach Lemieux: Our program's overarching goal this season is for all our teams to medal at the OCAAs. This would mark an improvement from last season and provide our eligible teams with another opportunity to compete at the CCAA championships and surpass last year's results. Before games, we remind our athletes to focus on factors within their control, as anything else is beyond their hands. With the talent we have this year, we coaches genuinely believe they can achieve anything they set their minds to!

The Cougars will be participating in the Soo Fall Classic this weekend at the YNCU Curling Centre. Their first match is set for Thursday, October 26 at 9:00am against Team Kean.