Guillaume Lepine began his professional hockey career in 2008 in the ECHL with the Elmira Jackals, playing two seasons before heading overseas to join the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL where the team won back-to-back-to-back championships. Lepine returned to North America in 2013 and has played the past three seasons in the American Hockey League with Binghamton where he also served as the Sens’ PHPA Player Representative.  He is currently a Player / Assistant Coach with the Wichita Thunder and recently sat down with PHPA.com to answer these 10 questions…

1. As you were growing up, who was your hockey idol?

I always liked to watch Scott Stevens and his big open ice hits. 

2. Why did you decide to play in Europe with the Nottingham Panthers?

At the time I was playing in the ECHL but not playing much, so I wanted to go somewhere where I could have a lot of ice time and improve my game.  The EIHL was a perfect league for me.  It’s very physical and fights are allowed, which is not the case in most European leagues, so it was a good fit.

3. What was it like to be part of the Nottingham Panthers team that won 3 championships in a row?

What we accomplished during those 3 years was quite incredible.  Yes I won 3 championships but it’s a total of 7 trophies that we won during those 3 seasons.  Over there, they have a tournament during the season called the Challenge Cup, which we won all 3 years. Then the playoffs is a different format.  It’s only 4 games but so intense and so much fun.  We also won that all 3 years.  But the biggest achievement over there is to finish first during the season.  The Nottingham Panthers won that trophy the last time in 1956 I believe, so in 2013 winning that trophy as well the other two to make it a clean sweep was a dream year for everyone.  It has been the best moment in my career so far.

4. Who is the toughest opponent you have ever fought and why?

Very hard to pick only one.  I would say I have a lot of respect for about 90% of the guys I fought but there are two names who came to mind, Eric Neilson and Pierre Luc Leblond.  I played against them in the QMJHL and saw them beat up a lot of guys so when I had to fight them in the AHL I was pretty nervous. 

5. What did it mean to you to be named captain of the Evansville Icemen?  Can you describe your leadership style?

It was the first time I ever wore the C, so it was a great honor.  I am not the kind of leader who talks the most in a locker room.  Talk is easy to do, but actions are worth way more than just talk, so I try to be a good pro and lead by example. 

6. Why did you choose to become a PHPA Player Representative and what are some of your roles and responsibilities?

I was finishing a certificate in law and we lost our Player Representative in a trade so the job became available.  I saw a correlation between the online classes I was taking and the role as a Player Rep.  It was the behind the scenes look into pro hockey that I wanted to know and interested me, so I jumped right in.  Unfortunately, I can’t be the Player Rep this season because I have the role of player/assistant coach with the Thunder.

7. Who is the funniest or most entertaining teammate you have played with throughout your professional hockey career?

I think every year on every team there’s one name I could write in here, but Fredrick Claesson and David Ling sure did make me laugh a lot. 

8. What are your favourite things to do away from the rink?  Do you have any hobbies or hidden talents?

For the last 5 years I took online classes during the season which took up most of my time away from the rink.  Also last season in Binghamton with my roommates Max McCormick, Kyle Flanagan and Patrick Sieloff, I was the best Mario Kart driver on N64.  Lots of races happened in that house.  This season as a player coach I have more video work to do so I can work later on with the defenseman. 

9. What’s the best piece of hockey advice you have ever been given?

To move my feet

10. Do any of your teammates ever ask you to teach them to speak French?

Yes, but when they do it’s normally for the bad words.