Hockey playoffs in full swing for pro Gee-Gee

Source: Jen Elliott, Ottawa Sports Info / photo credit is Brad Drey – Purdon House of Photography

OTTAWA - Dominic Jalbert’s hockey career continues to present him with opportunities. The talented Gatineau native earned a spot on the pro roster of the Reading Royals of the ECHL at the end of his third OUA hockey season.  Right now he is in the mix with the top ranked team in the Eastern conference of the ECHL playoffs.

On March 4th Jalbert made things official with the Reading Royals, an affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League and the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.

Since arriving in Reading, Jalbert has appeared in 15 games and is one of seven blueliners on the playoff roster. He earned his first playoff point setting up the opening goal in the Royals’ 3-0 victory in game four of their opening round series with the Greenville Road Warriors. On Sunday, the team advanced to the Eastern conference semifinals, keeping their quest for the franchise’s first ECHL Kelly Cup alive.

“I really appreciate the second chance that I have to win a championship,” said Jalbert in an email. “Here in Reading, we finished first in our conference and there are high expectations for our team.”

The defenceman posted an impressive plus seven in his ten regular season games and has continued to play well in the playoffs, standing at plus two heading into the second round. The Royals shut out Greenville in all four of their first-round playoff victories.

“I started playing in the ECHL two weeks after [Ottawa] got eliminated against Carleton and I was kind of rusty when I stepped on the ice with guys who were in top shape after playing more than 50 games so far in their season. So that was a big challenge for me to step in the game like that, but everything went well. The coaches put me in situations that I could perform and step by step they gave me more responsibility.”

Jalbert came to uOttawa in 2010 after starring for four seasons with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL. In the middle of his first season in the CIS he represented Canada at the 2011 Universiade in Ezrum, Turkey.

With uOttawa Jalbert consistently ranked among the top offensive defencemen in the league, scoring 22 goals in 75 regular season games while also amassing 54 assists. He had his best season in garnet and grey this past year, ranking second on the team with 28 total points, including eight goals. He earned his second career spot on the OUA First All-Star team and this year’s team MVP award before shipping off to Reading.

“He had a very good minor career and he had opportunities at that time, and he had more after his first season here,” explains Gee-Gees head coach Réal Paiement. “But he made the decision that he wanted to go to school, graduate, and get a degree – it was important to him. Now he has the advantages of both worlds.”

Right now, Jalbert’s focus is on preparing with his Royals team mates for game one of their second round series against the fourth-seed Florida Everblades. Reading will host the team at their home rink, where Jalbert says the fans have welcomed him with open arms. However, he does have a message for the uOttawa community.

“The last three years have been the best of my life and will miss representing my university,” said Jalbert, who earned a degree in Commerce. “It has been a pleasure to be a part of the Gee-Gees family.”

Follow Jalbert and the Reading Royals’ playoff drive at www.RoyalsHockey.com