Coming into this season, knowing it would be his last in Junior hockey, Sheldon Rempal thought he could improve a bit on the 29 goals he posted in 2014-15.
It’s fair to say he didn’t expect to reach 50 goals in 45 games, as he did Sunday notching the fourth Nanaimo Clippers goal in a 5-2 road win in Coquitlam.
“You can’t really come into a season and set your goal as 50,” said Rempal. “I had a decent year last year getting almost 30. I came in this season and talked with (Nanaimo coach) Mike (Vandekamp) about hitting 35-40 goals.”
If reaching 50 was a surprise, the way the goal was set up was not. Rempal’s teammate of the last three seasons, Devin Brosseau got the primary assist as he has done so often since the 2013-14 campaign. It was a power-play tally, Rempal’s 17th on the man advantage this season.
“I think I got it on the right side, rimmed it around and Yanni (Kaldis) kept it in,” Rempal recalled. “I saw Bross come down the wall, it was a good pass by him.”
It was also Brosseau’s first game back after a two-game absence due to league discipline. Rempal had scored twice in the first game of the Clippers’ road trip in Wenatchee and after he was held goalless in Langley, it was not surprising he got the big one with Brosseau returning to familiar territory.
“We talked about it throughout the week,” said Rempal. “I can’t say I was holding back but it was nice for him to get back in the lineup and make the assist. It was all fun.”
Rempal credits Brosseau, who his roommate – and also future Clarkson University teammate – for much of his success.
“Obvioulsy playing with Devin my whole Junior career, we know what’s going on in each others head,” said Rempal. “It’s helped on the ice.”
The pair have helped Nanaimo become a perennial contender in the Island Division as well, and are a big reason they currently own first place.
“I think that’s definitely the goal for the team,” said Rempal. “Winning home ice through the playoffs would be huge; definitely that’s the number-one goal. You take what’s given to you and see what happens here.”
Clippers fans can’t wait to find out.
