Carabins add three local commits to their 2017 class.
Jérémie Gagnon-Chénier, a defensive lineman from Champlain College Lennoxville, CFC100 Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal, a defensive end from Collège André-Grasset and Renaldo Bernard, a defensive back from Collège Montmorency, will now be bulking up the University of Montréal Carabins’ defensive line.
Jérémie Gagnon-Chénier
Croutesy of Jérémie Gagnon-Chénier.
Jérémie Gagnon-Chénier didn’t play football this year, but that didn’t mean that universities didn’t have him on their radar. “Head Coach Danny Maciocia came up to me when I’ve decided to take a year off football and school and he gave me a second chance to play this sport at a high level,” he said.
He added that, “I decided to go to this school for the great football program and the academics. The facilities of this school are incredible, the coaching staff is very friendly and you feel like you are part of the team the moment you walk in the CEPSUM (gym).”
The 6’3, 310lbs giant from Repentigny, Québec, which is an off-island suburb of Montréal, played with Les Cougars du Collège Champlain-Lennoxville (RSEQ Division 1) between 2013 and 2015. In his final season as a Cougar, he played on the offensive line due to team injuries. “I thought about staying at this position, but after a good reflection in my year off, I’ve decided that I wanted to go back as a defensive lineman,” he said.
With Gagnon-Chénier back at the position he prefers, he will be looking to bring his talents to the Carabins. “The team is really good and we are in good shape to go all the way every year and there is a big competition level that I enjoy,” he said. “It is with no doubt that the success from this team comes from the coaching staff first.”
The potential administrative student added that, “The coaches are very focus on the academics and they will help me succeed in my academics.”
Prior to winning two Bol d’Ors in 2013 and 2015, Gagnon-Chénier suited up for the Sphinx du Collège de L’Assomption (RSEQ).
Bienvenue à la famille CARABINS Jeremie Gagnon Chenier! pic.twitter.com/zOrFpB7Awb
— danny maciocia (@dmaccoach) December 19, 2016
Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal
#Recrutement2017 – L’ailier défensif Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal d’@AndreGrasset se joint aux #Carabins #FootRSEQ.https://t.co/nxzg9XXEGO pic.twitter.com/N0mDSZSVaL
— Carabins (@Carabins) December 20, 2016
Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal will be staying in his hometown of Montréal for the next few years. “I grew up living near the university and followed the team’s activities throughout my youth. This organization has appealed to me with its felling of success, family and the development of the right work ethic on and off the field,” he said.
“During my visits at U de M, I found the coaches to be very nice and serious about their program and the goals that they set are very high,” Lemieux-Cardinal added. “(They’re) a great group of competent coaches that can develop you to your fullest potential and that pushes you everyday to become a better player and a better person.”
Prior to playing with the Les Phénix du Collège André-Grasset (RSEQ Division 1), he spent his high school years with Les Cactus du Collège Notre-Dame (RSEQ). He is a towering 6’5, 230lbs and will bring size to the Carabins’ defensive line. In the 2016 season, he had seven sacks, 35.5 total tackles, 11 for loss, six pass knockdowns and one interception. He was named the best lineman in the RSEQ Juvenile Division 1 in 2013, his last year with Les Cactus. He also won a Bol d’Or that year. This season, he was an RSEQ all-star.
Lemieux-Cardinal, who is interested in kinesiology and physiotherapy, is excited to be a part of the great Carabins’ tradition. “I’m joining a team full of talent and I hope to have an impact on the field as fast as possible. Very excited about this new chapter of my life in this great environment of success,” he said.
Renaldo Bernard
Renaldo Bernard (#6) knocks down the pass. Courtesy of Renaldo Bernard.
Renaldo Bernard will be heading to the island from his hometown of Laval. He said he chose to continue his studies and football career at the University of Montréal because it’s the best organization for his schooling situation. “Then,” he added, “the fact to evolve with the Montréal Carabins will allow me to develop well as a player and as an everyday citizen. As well, I am particular determined to be a successful winner.”
The 6’2, 200lbs athlete will have a chance to work and grow under a strong coaching staff. He said, “In my opinion, I believe the Carabins have the best coaching staff in Canada with coaches like Danny Maciocia, Marco Iadeluca, Paul-Eddy Saint-Villien and Fabrice Raymond. This is one of the reasons that supported my choice.”
Bernard, who is interested in psychology, has spent his cégep years with Les Nomades du Collège Montmorency (RSEQ Division 1). He is already acquainted with the Carabins’ defensive back coach, Fabrice Raymond, who coached him on Team Québec in 2014. He began playing football in 2006 with Les Broncos de Laval at the mosquito level. In 2014, he finished his Laval-based football career with Les Bulldogs de Laval midget team (Québec Midget Football League). He won a championship with the Bulldogs in his final year.
Très heureux de souhaiter la bienvenue à @_RenaldoBernard 6’2 200lbs dans la belle famille des @Carabins #DBCrew #recrutement2017 pic.twitter.com/csTHlu0CoB
— Fabrice Raymond (@fabyray17) December 20, 2016
(Translation: Very happy to welcome Renaldo Bernard, 6’2, 200lbs, into the beautiful Carabins family.)
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