Leadership comes naturally to Justin Rousseau.
The 19-year-old Verner product was a quiet leader who by example when he wore the “C” as captain of the 2023 Great North U18 championship North Bay Trappers squad.
Now Rousseau will be continuing to show off his leadership at the junior level as he has been named an alternate captain for the Powassan Voodoos for the 2024-25 season.
“Justin was a captain of the U18 North Bay Trappers team that won the northern championship and he helped lead our team to the finals last year in the NOJHL Justin wears his heart on his sleeve and is a heart of soul player on any hockey team,” said Peter Goulet, Voodoos head coach who named Jackson Smith as the new Voodoos captain earlier this month.
Goulet believes Rousseau’s worth ethic is contagious.
“You couldn’t ask more from a young man on and off the ice and he was also our scholastic player of the year last year, which is huge because school is the most important thing these young men are doing.
“I am looking forward to working with Justin and helping Jackson Smith and myself guide this team along with the other captains.”
Rousseau, one of only a trio of returning forwards with the Voodoos in 2024-25, is humbled by the new leadership responsibility
“I’m excited to be back with the Voodoos, I think this team can prove a lot of doubters wrong,” said Rousseau who netted 2 goals and 13 assists for 15 points in 41 games in the regular season and 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points in 17 playoff games as the Voodoos went to the NOJHL final.
Rousseau is excited with the addition of Cayden Kowal and Anthony Boyes. Those new local additions make it four forwards - along with Caleb Dawson - who played on the successful North Bay U18 Trappers of 2022-23.
“I think it’s great, they are skilled hockey players that also have championship experience. Hopefully we can repeat what we did in North Bay and bring a championship back to Powassan,” said Rousseau.
Rousseau will join his teammates for the Powassan Voodoos Golf Tournament taking place at Highview Golf Course in Powassan on Thursday, August 22.
The team will hit the ice for the start of Voodoos main camp on Friday, August 22 at the Powassan Sportsplex.
