Cole Rafuse playing in New Brunswick
“This year, I hope to do my part on the ice to get my team as far as I can in the season and hopefully into the post-season,” says Harmony native Cole Rafuse, who recently made the Bathurst team for the upcoming 2016-2017 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) season.
Rafuse‘s QMJHL career began in 2015 when he was drafted 20th overall, first pick in the second round to the team in Val’dOr, Quebec. According to his proud father, Jack Rafuse, this was the highest pick ever from the Valley. Rafuse made the Val d’Or team at training camp.
Then, in January 2016, Rafuse was traded to the team in Bathurst, where he ended up playing 59 games as a rookie. Now, Rafuse has made the team for a second year.
“Being in the league last year helped a lot for this coming year both mentally and physically,” says Rafuse. “You feel more comfortable on and off the ice.”
The team is currently in training, practicing, playing preseason games and working out off-ice to get ready for the season.
Rafuse says training is already going well.
“The team is coming together well,” he says. “We are still just getting to know each other but it feels like we’re already family.”
Training is in preparation for the start of the season in Sydney on Sept. 23 and 24 where his parents will be in attendance. Jack Rafuse says he tries to get to most of Cole’s games in the Maritimes and a few in Quebec and is looking forward to the team playing three times this season in Halifax.
Jack says the Valley gave his son a great start and opportunity starting with playing on the Western Valley Atom AAA team at a novice level. In fact, Kingston’s Credit Union Centre still lets Cole go on the ice whenever he can.
“The main difference I find playing in the QMJHL than in the Valley,” says Cole, “is that the amount of time you have with the puck is less before a guy comes to hit you. The game of speed and skill is just a step up.”
Cole’s goals for this season are to put some points up to help his team the best he can, to play hard and to use his body. He’d like to see the team make the playoffs and go as far as they can, and to finish the year in a good place.
Last year Cole felt he did well for his first year in the league, developing as a player on and off the ice to take it into this year.
“Now, I’m looking forward to getting things started with the team and the season to begin in two weeks!”