BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Early in the Kitchener Rangers season, things were falling
apart at the seams. The team was struggling to find its
identity. Wins were few and losses were mounting.
Despite the chaos, one player took it upon himself to help keep
the team's spirits high.
After a sluggish 2-5 start, the Rangers started to roll. One of
the main reasons was the leadership of Dowling native Yves
Bastien.
The plucky winger was also mired in his own horrible start
(just three points in his first 12 games), but he refused to
let his team become the laughing stock of the league. Bastien
took charge and lead by example on ice, while encouraging the
team to live up to their potential.
He challenged teammates to compete harder, while living up to
this challenge himself. Soon, the wins started to come and so
did the points.
"Although he doesn't wear the 'C'...Yves is one of our most
important leaders," said Rangers head coach and GM Pete DeBoer.
"He wears an assistant captain's insignia for us for home games
and at other times. He deserves it, and it's a high honour for
him. The last 17-year-old I had wearing a letter was Mike
Richards...and we know what he has done. He's also important
off the ice...just by the way he carries himself and represents
the team. He has true character and that kind of leadership is
rare in a 17-year-old player."
Bastien holds himself accountable for every action. He also
expects the same from his teammates.
"I'm a vocal leader," said the five-foot-10 forward. "I talk a
lot on the bench and on the ice. I back up anything I say or
ask from my teammates. When I say something...I come forward
and try and do it on the ice. It's an honour to be a captain in
Kitchener, especially when you consider all the great players
who have worn a letter for this team. It's also why I love
playing here. It's another chance the coaches have given me
here to show what I am truly capable of. They're making me a
better player everyday."
Of course, the real deal with Bastien is the fact he plays with
limited vision in his right eye, yet it doesn't make him any
less an effective player than anyone else. He was born with a
cataract and surgery left him partially blind.
"It's nothing at all for me...I have played with it all my
life," said Bastien.
Since the horrible start, the Rangers have been the best team
in the OHL, piling up a 22-5-0-2 record and now occupy second
overall with a record of 24-10-0-2.
Bastien too has come alive on the scoreboard, picking up seven
goals and 16 points in his last 23 games.
"The coaches have a lot to do with my success," said the
170-pound winger. "They kept playing me and having confidence
in me. Then the puck started going in for me and my team was
winning. My confidence has gone sky high and so did the team's
confidence. We have a team with a lot of heart. We play with a
lot pride and passion. It's carried us and will bring us a long
way."
Bastien is in his NHL draft season. He keeps tabs on the event,
but doesn't let it consume his life.
"It's not on my mind anymore," said Bastien. "I think that's
why I had such a slow start...because I was thinking too much
about the draft. I'm just playing my game now and helping the
team win any way I can. If a team wants to draft me, they will.
If not, I will keep playing just as hard."
Despite being five-foot-10, Bastien, like other smaller players
see a new hope for them in the NHL with the new emphasis on
obstruction-free hockey.
"The new rules have been a huge help to smaller guys like
myself," said Bastien. "I'm not big, but because of my
speed...the new rules have made me a very effective player. I
think the game and attitudes are changing towards smaller
players. These days, you have to be able to skate and
demonstrate skill. My size isn't a problem at all."
Bastien figures to be a fixture in the Rangers' plans for a
long time to come.
"Yves is a big part of our team, he hasn't played his best
hockey yet," said DeBoer. "He's turned the corner and he will
just get better and better. He has a great career ahead of him.
His speed stands out the most...he might be the fastest player
in the league. He has a great work ethic and he creates a lot
of opportunities with his speed."
This past summer, Bastien won a gold medal with Team Canada at
the World Under-18 hockey championship.
"It was awesome...it changed me a lot and I was proud to
represent my country."
