Athlete of the Week: Justin Fontaine
Brian Michaud
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: Sports
Whether it's the frost on car windows or the teasing snow flurries, it is safe to say that hockey is in full swing in the Northland. The defending Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Final Five champions are back in action with their final season of play in the DECC. This week's Athlete of the Week is the current UMD scoring leader, junior forward Justin Fontaine.
Major: Finance
Favorite Class: Art Today
Plans after UMD: Continue to play hockey
The start of the season was so productive that he was selected as the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for his work so far this season.
"I was excited about receiving that award. It was definitely a good feeling to be recognized as the Offensive Player of the Week in the WCHA. It was important to get out to a good start this season and knowing there are so many good players in the league it was just more of an honor," he said.
When it comes down to preparation, Fontaine has his wits about him. Coming into this season, he knew where the team was at, and where he needed to be before the team hit the ice.
"For me, coming in this summer I knew I needed to work harder to prepare for this season and I think it has helped me on the ice. The thing I changed this season was that I started getting in the habit of shooting the puck more," he said. Fontaine has jumpstarted the Bulldogs with seven goals, the leader on the team, and he doesn't look to be slowing down.
Remember back to last March. UMD was once again the talk of the town as they defied all odds and won the WCHA Final Five tournament in dramatic fashion. Helped by a squad of young talent with big shoes to fill, Fontaine reminds us that there are still players on the team that have been to that level.
"After experiencing our run last year, our locker room is filled with a lot of players that know what it takes to get there. Nothing comes easy in this league, all 10 teams can win any night and I think our freshman this year have great work ethic and know it's going to take a lot of hard work to get where we were last year," he said.
Major: Finance
Favorite Class: Art Today
Plans after UMD: Continue to play hockey
The start of the season was so productive that he was selected as the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for his work so far this season.
"I was excited about receiving that award. It was definitely a good feeling to be recognized as the Offensive Player of the Week in the WCHA. It was important to get out to a good start this season and knowing there are so many good players in the league it was just more of an honor," he said.
When it comes down to preparation, Fontaine has his wits about him. Coming into this season, he knew where the team was at, and where he needed to be before the team hit the ice.
"For me, coming in this summer I knew I needed to work harder to prepare for this season and I think it has helped me on the ice. The thing I changed this season was that I started getting in the habit of shooting the puck more," he said. Fontaine has jumpstarted the Bulldogs with seven goals, the leader on the team, and he doesn't look to be slowing down.
Remember back to last March. UMD was once again the talk of the town as they defied all odds and won the WCHA Final Five tournament in dramatic fashion. Helped by a squad of young talent with big shoes to fill, Fontaine reminds us that there are still players on the team that have been to that level.
"After experiencing our run last year, our locker room is filled with a lot of players that know what it takes to get there. Nothing comes easy in this league, all 10 teams can win any night and I think our freshman this year have great work ethic and know it's going to take a lot of hard work to get where we were last year," he said.
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