‘I love the city of Montréal,’ says Carabins new recruit

The Montréal Carabins add another to their already growing Class of 2018.

When Nicolas deBellefeuille-Blais, a defensive lineman from Cégep de l’Outaouais, visited what would soon be his new university, the University of Montréal, he couldn’t help but be impressed with the coaching staff.

“I think, for me, (Montréal) was the perfect fit. I like their vision and how they work. The coaching staff is awesome,” he said. “With Head Coach Maciocia, we are honoured to have one of the greatest coaches in U Sports.”

deBellefeuille-Blais added that, “I connected very well with the defensive line coach, and I’m sure he’ll be able to bring the best out of me.” He also knows Fabrice Raymond, the defensive back coach, and he said his connection to the coach influenced his decision.

Originally from Gatineau, Québec, deBellefeuille-Blais will have the chance to experience big-city living in Montréal. “I love the city and when I visited, I was comfortable in this environment,” he said.

deBellefeuille-Blais, who is interested in sports psychology, currently plays with Les Griffons du Cégep de l’Outaouais (RSEQ Division 2). In high school, he played with L’Aresenal de Collège Nouvelles-Frontière (RSEQ) and the Gatineau Vikings (National Capital Amateur Football League). In 2015, the 6’3, 250lbs player was on Team Québec. In 2014 and 2015, he was named lineman of the year.

The soon-to-be Carabin would like to thank his Griffons coaches and his Vikings’ coach, Coach Sebastien Tétreault, “who helped me to become a better athlete as well as a better person.”

He added that, “I (also) just wanted to say thank you to my parents who always supported me and help me throughout this process.”

Un nouveau visage dans la cuvée de #Recrutement2018 ➡️ Nicolas deBellefeuille-Blais, joueur de ligne défensive du @CegepOutaouais??#FootRSEQ pic.twitter.com/PJjdruBzX9

— Carabins (@Carabins) September 5, 2017