Photo by Emery Gbodosseou/St. FX Athletics

Antoginish, N.S. (NHN)-For a lot players finishing their Major Junior careers the appeal of playing CIS University hockey isn’t all that high. The NHL is still the ‘Canadian Dream’ after all. But there are some who are taking advantage of the great deal offered by the Western Hockey League.

Each player is eligible for a year’s tuition and books for each year they spent in the WHL.

Enter St. FX University second year player Mark Louis, a Cree Metis from Alberta.

After five years riding the buses in the ‘dub’, Louis got a phonecall.

“I got a call from my former coach’s son who played out east and told me it was a good place,” said Louis. “I thought I would give it a shot.”

Though a solid defenceman in Major Junior, Louis didn’t know just how good a league the Atlantic conference was. “I really didn’t know what to expect when I got here,” said Louis.

He got a quick education hockey wise.

“You’re playing against men. It’s much better than the Western League. Everyone has completed their junior and it’s competitive and everyone battles for a playoff spot.”

It’s so good in fact the defending national champion UNB Varsity Reds who are in the same division as St. FX, played the American Hockey League’s Portland Pirates and lost 4-2.

“I think that makes our league look great,” said Louis. “We lost to UNB in overtime.”

His coach Brad Peddle says Louis has overcome a couple of hurdles since last season.

“It takes a while for those guys (ex Major Juniors) to come here and accept where they are because they have played with guys who are in the NHL now,” said Peddle. “Secondly, Mark had to do a lot of credits in the first half to be eligible to play and he did that. That speaks to his character and he’s looking after his future.”

And that future may include a future in pro hockey.

“He skates very well and is mobile,” said Peddle. “He has potential beyond school to play pro and as he continues to develop he’s going to get a chance.”

And with five starting defenceman in the St. FX lineup being rookies, that time is now.

On the ice Louis plays a solid game of hockey. “I play a physical game,” said Louis, whose physical stature allows him to do that at 6’3 and 220 pounds. “There’s no fighting in CIS hockey so we play hard. But nothing to flashy for me, I make safe plays and really look to make a solid first breakout pass.”

But it’s off the ice where Louis noticed the culture change.  He’s an easterner now.

With St. FX University nestled two hours away from the nearest urban centre, the local outlook on life has rubbed off on him. “The biggest thing I’ve noticed is everyone is laid back over here. Guys just take it easy with a relaxed approach,” said Louis. “It’s not like Alberta where everyone just goes hard because everything moves fast.”

There are other adjustments to make though.

He’s a student now.

“It’s not the same as junior. We get treated like pros,” said Louis. “You have to take care of yourself off the ice and do things like pay rent and manage your money.”

But there are some differences he’s enjoyed.

“My professor to student ratio here is better than if I went to school out west,” added Louis, who is working toward a business degree. “I really like it out here.”

“I’m going to do the best that I can and we know we can compete for a National championship somewhere on down the line.”