“I guess I didn’t like hockey at first. My parents put skates on me and I fell down and started crying. They told me that I cried the first few times, but then I started to like it,” said 24-year-old Portage College Voyageur defenseman Cole Berreth.
Berreth, and 23-year-old defenseman Alseny Bangoura, are the veterans on the Voyageur roster this year, having this be their fourth and third seasons respectively.
Berreth, who comes from Bowden Alberta, has experience playing for Lloydminster Bobcats, Melville Millionaires, and Winnipeg Blues, in the Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba Junior Hockey Leagues.
Bangoura, hailing from Montreal, played in the Northern States Hockey League for the Syracuse Stampede, as well as in the Maritime Hockey League, for both the Yarmouth Mariners and South Shore Lumberjacks.
“I joined the Voyageurs in 2016, because at that time, there was a bunch of my friends from Quebec that were coming as well,” said Bangoura.
Choosing Portage College
Berreth, who was scouted by National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 3 schools in the United States, chose Portage College over his other offers because, “they had better scholarship options, and a better teacher-to-student ratio. [Portage College] was going to give me the resources to succeed in the classroom.”
Both defensemen are currently pursuing their Bachelor of Commerce Degrees in Accounting. Since both student-athletes have completed the first two years of the program, majority of their classes have now shifted to being online, which they both enjoy.
“It is nice because you can go at your own pace, but it also forces you to be self-sufficient - it is all on you,” said Bangoura.
Both players commented how they enjoy living in Lac La Biche because it is a small community.
“I also chose [Portage College] because it is a smaller community and has less distractions compared to a big city like Montreal. Less distraction means I can focus on my studies more,” said Bangoura.
"There wasn't a time we didn't watch hockey."
With Berreth having skates put on at a young age, Bangoura got into hockey because of his parents.
“We always watched hockey. There wasn’t a time that we didn’t watch hockey, and from that I decided I wanted to play,” said Bangoura.
Berreth’s favourite hockey player growing up was Scott Neidermayer of the New Jersey Devils, but his favourite hockey team is the Philadelphia Flyers.
“My dad was a Flyers fan, so we were always watching Flyers hockey, then I became a fan too.”
Bangoura’s favourite player is ex-Montreal Canadiens defenseman, PK Subban, but contrary to what you may think, is actually a St. Louis Blues fan.
“I am a big St. Louis fan! I got into that team because there were a lot of junior players that I followed that ended up playing there, and I just stuck with cheering for them.”
The two players do not have a go-to, “pump-up,” song they listen to before a game, and laughed when asked the question.
“I like R&B music, but none of that is really ‘pump-up,’ music,” laughed Bangoura.
“Yea. I don’t know. I like electronic dance music, and Drake or Kygo, but I don’t have a specific song,” said Berreth.
“I guess maybe, ‘Jukebox Hero,’ by Foreigner?” replied Bangoura.
"It's about trusting your gut."
Neither defensemen have any hockey superstitions, and said that it is more about, “trusting your gut.”
“I used to have [superstitions], but then as I got older I realized it doesn’t matter. It’s a gut feeling now. I will sit in the locker room before the game and I will know if it’s going to be a good game or not,” said Bangoura.
“Honestly, and having superstitions messes with your head. If you get dependent on them and it doesn’t happen, it wrecks your focus,” said Berreth.
When asked about their favourite drills to do in practice, Berreth said, “Canada Cup,” because he describes himself as a, “flow drill guy.”
Conversely, Bangoura said that he prefers one-on-one drills.
“I am a competitive guy, so I am all about the one-on-one drills, or anything that I can dominate.”
Outside of playing hockey, or doing homework, both said that they enjoy playing the popular Battle Royale game, Fortnite, or Call of Duty on Xbox.
Both players are excited to be back with the Voyageurs this season, particularly because of the large number of new players on the roster this year.
“It’s good to be back, but it is also good to see the new faces in the dressing room. I am happy to see that there are players who want to be here, and that there are players 2buying into the program,” said Berreth.
The Voyageurs have two more exhibition games on September 28 and 29, both in Breircrest, Saskatchewan.
The season-opener will be a double-header weekend on October 5 and 6, where they battle against the SAIT Trojans.
Great rates to be seen
Sponsor these players. If you are interested in sponsoring our twice monthly Voyageur Player Profiles, contact Mark at [email protected]
Great rates to showcase your community support and all the great deals you are offering. Be seen in the 2500 Lac La BIche POST newspapers printed every week ... a community business serving our region — just like you — for more than 50 years. Online presence through social media and the POST's www.laclabichepost.com website will also get your message to your target audience.
