(FREDERICTON, NB) Ben Corbeil and Simon Pinard have known each other since they were 9-years old. They’ve played almost as many hockey games together as they have apart. In hockey, they’ve been teammates, linemates and roommates, so it makes sense that when one committed to UNB’s men’s hockey team, the other was quick to follow.

The talented and highly-recruited forwards have both signed U SPORTS Letters of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2022-2023 Atlantic University Sport season.

“We talked about going together and that it would be cool to play together on the same team again,” said Corbeil.

“We saw that it was an opportunity for us to play together again, and in the best program in Canadian university hockey,” added Pinard. “From that point, it was an easy decision.”

Corbeil and Pinard have recently finished stellar major junior careers that saw them spend almost three full seasons as teammates with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Pinard, from Drummondville, QC, played three plus seasons in Blainville before being dealt to the Gatineau Olympiques this past season.

In 214 regular season QMJHL games, he scored 102 goals and added 93 assists.

In 2021-22, Pinard, who attended the Florida Panthers development camp in 2021, recorded career bests, scoring 44 goals and assisting on 47 others.

Corbeil, from Granby, QC, split his four QMJHL season between Drummondville, Blainville and Baie-Comeau.

In 219 regular season games, he scored 79 goals and 78 assists.

Like Pinard, 2021-22 saw Corbeil post career best numbers, scoring 34 goals and adding 34 assists.

“Ben had a career-best season as an over-ager and improved greatly as the season progressed,” said REDS head coach Gardiner MacDougall. “He became one of their key players and scored some crucial goals in their run for a playoff position. His passion and work ethic are his separators, and he has a high compete level. Those are qualities that should flourish in our UNB environment.”

“Simon has been a top performer in the QMJHL and took his game to a new level this past season,” added MacDougall. “He has the ability to help a team with his offensive skills and goal-scoring ability, while also having strong defensive skills and the ability to be a top-notch penalty killer. He has a great passion to excel and be a difference-maker.”

Both players drew interest from other U SPORTS programs, but both were drawn to the REDS.

“UNB has the DNA of a winner,” said Corbeil. “It’s a prestigious program that has a history of winning and has helped place players in professional hockey after school. That, and the excellent Kinesiology program, was why I chose UNB.”

“It’s the best university hockey program in Canada, but UNB is also a great school,” said Pinard. “UNB was the best option for me because the program has placed players in professional levels year after year, and my goal is to play professionally after my years at UNB.”

Corbeil describes himself as a fast player who brings an offensive spirit with the ability to be physical.

Pinard says he’s dynamic, has good speed and loves to score goals.

Both players say, in the short-term, they want to have the best rookie season possible. Longer term, they’re eager to help the REDS win Atlantic and national championships, and both would like to graduate to pro hockey.

“We wanted to win a championship together in junior hockey and now we have the opportunity to do it at another level,” said Pinard. “It’s the beginning of a great adventure.”

Corbeil will study Kinesiology while attending UNB, while Pinard is undecided.

PHOTOS:

Ben Corbeil: Baie-Comeau Drakkar

Simon Pinard: Gatineau Olympiques