One of the most popular players to ever suit up for a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) team, Philippe Sanche of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, will be in the Concordia Stingers’ lineup this fall.
“He’s a huge fan favorite,” said Concordia head coach Marc-André Élement. “University hockey fans are going to love him. He’s a real character player. He has a great work ethic. He’s a leader. I think he will be the best all-round player in our league. I am very happy to have him join the Stingers’ family.”
Sanche, a right wing, played his minor hockey in his hometown of Mercier, Que. before playing double letters and midget AAA in Châteauguay. He went on to play four years of junior hockey in Blainville-Boisbriand.
In 210 QMJHL games, he scored 79 goals and added 121 assists for 200 points. He finished his career as captain of the Armada. The junior team created the Philippe Sanche Trophy last spring. It was presented to Sanche at the end of the season and going forward it will be awarded to the hardest working player on the Blainville-Boisbraind team.
In 2015, the five-foot-five, 155-pound forward was also recognized as the hardest working player in the QMJHL. The award was voted on by the league’s fans.
“I bring a lot of energy to the rink,” Sanche said. “I don’t stop working no matter what. I have good offensive skills, but I am always working and that gets me opportunities to score.”
Several university teams approached Sanche but he felt Concordia was the best fit for hockey and academics.
“I knew the coach, Marc-André, and we talked a lot about the program and the changes he was making,” Sanche said. “I know a few of the guys, I met captain Olivier Hinse. I felt I had good relationships at Concordia.
“We talked about school too and I want to go into Accounting so the John Molson School of Business is also a good fit for me.”
