Former Cantonniers player laces up for Trois-rivières Lions

Olivier Hinse recently suited up for the Trois-rivières Lions in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), returning to the professional level for the first time since coming back to Quebec after a four-year stint in Europe.

Hinse, who grew up in Sherbrooke and played for the Magog Cantonniers, jumped at the opportunity to play for Trois-rivières when the team’s General Manager, and former National Hockey League (NHL) defenceman, Marc-andré Bergeron called to offer him a contract.

“It was pretty cool, for sure, it’s nice to have an ex-nhler call you and ask you to play for the team, especially the Lions because it’s in the Montreal Canadiens organization. So yeah, it was pretty cool to receive that call and I was excited to try it out,” said Hinse.

He was supposed to participate in two games, but an outbreak of COVID-19 cases within the locker room brought his time with the team to an abrupt end. However, Hinse managed to draw into the lineup for at least one game, notching an assist against the Maine Mariners.

Although he hasn’t laced up for a professional club since his days in Europe, Hinse told The Record that he was still used to the speed and intensity of the game. He has stayed sharp in the province’s semi-professional Ligue Nord-américaine de Hockey (LNAH).

“I was used to that pace of play, for sure, when I play semi-pro it’s packed with very talented players, we all have jobs and it’s not 100 per cent hockey, so we’re not as in shape as those players who are on the ice every day, but it’s still a good calibre,” said Hinse.

He currently plays for the Soreltracy Éperviers, where he ranks fourth in league scoring with 26 points. His team sits firmly in second place behind Thetford. But at this point in his career, hockey isn’t everything for Hinse. He has a wife and two kids to think about now.

Hinse said that he would consider rejoining the Lions in the future, if they ever needed his help again, but he also has a tight schedule with his children, one and three years old, work, semi-pro hockey, and coaching several teams. It would merit a longer conversation.

“I’m at a point in my life where I just bought a new house and I like my work, my wife loves what she’s doing, so I’m not saying no, but there’s more chances of me staying where I’m at, and I like the league I play in, I’m well treated in Sorel,” said Hinse.

He used to live and breathe hockey, spending most of his days in the gym or the arena. And Hinse cherishes every minute he had in Europe. He split his time in Denmark and Germany from 2017 to 2021. But he understands that his hockey career is shifting now.

“I think the page is almost turned, I’d say three-quarters turned, because, for sure, going back there to play in the East Coast was fun and brought back that little spark, but yeah, it’s a family decision now,” Hinse said, adding his life is now entrenched in Quebec.

He works as a special educator and technician at St. Patrick’s High School in Quebec City. And Hinse also coaches various school hockey teams between the ages of 12 and 17. He’s still on the ice almost every morning, he explained, and sometimes in the evening.

He has always loved being behind the bench, teaching kids about hockey and growing their passion for the sport. He even coached a junior AAA team for one year while playing for the Concordia University Stingers. Hinse expects coaching will be his next hockey challenge.

When asked whether he would ever consider coming to coach in Sherbrooke, or for his former team in Magog, Hinse laughed it off, sharing he would never turn down an opportunity to return to his roots, but again, it would require a lot of reflection, and a conversation with his wife.

“If I get the call I’m going to think about it, for sure, because I really liked my time there, it was fun and being from Sherbrooke, it would be something nice, but my wife is from Quebec City and we love it here, so it might be a bigger discussion,” said Hinse.