An Unpredictable Journey

Life is unpredictable. There is no script. You write it as you go.

In an instant, what matters most can be taken away. 

Whether it’s a promising hockey career cut short due to injuries, illness or extenuating circumstances, nothing is ever promised.

Adam Pineault’s unpredictable journey in professional hockey and life is a tour de force, not because he reached hockey’s highest level, because he realized what mattered most. 

4x4 

Adam Pineault’s earliest memories of the game of hockey mirror that of most New Englander’s. 

From early uncertainty on the blades to frozen feet skating hours on an outdoor rink in a near by park close to his home in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Adam Pineault fell in love with the game almost instantly. “We had a little patch that would freeze in our driveway beside the garage,” Pineault said proudly.  

Hour after hour Pineault honed his skills in the comfort of his own driveway under the watchful eyes of his mom Esther and dad Roland. 

“Back in the day, I had those double blades, I would throw those on and skate on that 4x4 sheet of ice all day doing parquets and stuff, I guess I was getting the hang of it,” Pineault said. “My father would always have a chuckle saying that I wasn’t the most pleasurable one to watch skate. I was the guy skating towards the boards not being able to stop,” Pineault joked. (Photo Credit Allen Americans)

The bond between father and son grew deeper on those brutally raw New England nights. 

Pineault learned so many invaluable lessons on that small sheet of ice with his father by his side. The commitment and unwavering support displayed by his parents wasn’t lost on him even at that time in his life.

“Over time, and the commitment that my parents put in, everything certainly paid off,” Pineault said proudly. Pineault’s passion and love affair with the game of hockey became even more intense when his dad introduced him to the American Hockey League. 

Ten-Minutes Away 

 “My love of the game came from a ten minute drive with my dad to see Springfield Indians games,” Pineault said. 

 Like so many other young children in New England and up the entire Eastern Sea Board, the American Hockey League was the lifeblood of every community and city.

 The AHL embodied a blue-collar mentality, which was infectious and perhaps downright addictive. The AHL was old time hockey in an era where hard work and pride meant everything. 

 The young talented kid from Holyoke became hooked on that brand of hockey. It was a different era of the game of hockey, but Pineault loved every second. “Back then, it was like, ‘you went to a fight and a hockey game broke out,” Pineault said. 

  With every ten-minute trip to Springfield the bond between father and son and the game of hockey grew exponentially. 

 Hockey became a tradition for the entire Pineault family.  From Springfield Indians games to expanding the family’s outdoor rink, hockey was interwoven within the very fabric of the Pineault household. 

“From eight to twelve years of age, my dad and I had a tradition we would start to build the outdoor rink in my backyard on Thanksgiving. It would usually freeze up by the first or second week of December,” explained Pineault.

The 4x4 rink, which Pineault so fondly remembers, gave way to a dynamic 60 x 20  surface encompassing most of the family’s backyard. 

The impact the AHL had on Adam Pineault’s life is immeasurable. 

Like so many kids who experienced having the AHL in their hometowns, Pineault’s exposure to the top minor league circuit helped define his identity as a player for years to come.  Nevertheless, his father’s impact and guidance became a motivational beacon for his journey in the game. 

“We would usually get home on a cold winter night, throw on my skates, two pairs of socks gloves, jackets and my dad would do the same,” Pineault explained. 

“We would go out on the rink until 12 or 1am and work on things that we saw during the AHL games,” said an emotional Pineault.

“My dad would point out things players were doing that were right, really nice plays that they made and of course goals,” Pineault added.

 The AHL became a training ground for a young up and coming kid, who had dreams and aspirations to one day play in the National Hockey League.

The Motivator

Unfortunately the game of hockey is well known for it’s proverbial hockey crazed parents. That couldn’t have been farther from the truth in Adam Pineault’s case. 

Fanatic parents in many ways have ruined the game, but most importantly it has ruined so many young promising players lives. Adam Pineault admits he was pushed, but Roland Pineault never crossed the line. “Sure my dad pushed me, he always pushed for excellence, in order so I could push myself,” Pineault said. 

 “He was that father that always pushed me, I would be on our backyard rink from 5:30 to 6:30 and he would be putting me through drills,” Pineault explained. 

“My dad was more of a motivator in that aspect, that gave me that drive and mentality that I still possess today.” 

Pineault to this day embraces and lives by this very moniker that his father instilled. “Don’t stop at mediocre.” 

The young aspiring Massachusetts product would channel his father’s guidance and use that as fuel to ignite his entire journey in the game. “I wouldn’t have been the hockey player or I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I experienced without his tough love and guidance throughout my career,” Pineault admitted. 

  On occasion Pineault ventures on the ice to develop youth hockey players in his now home state of Florida. Unfortunately it’s clear that those types of parents still exist. “Of course there’s that fine line or happy medium where they go overboard, you can see some parents even today, it’s like holy smokes look at that parent,” said Pineault. 

 “There’s that fine line where you can make it a passion for the kid, or you are ruining it,” Pineault stressed.  

         Roland Pineault pushed his son, but young Adam understood and embraced his father’s role. Together they forged an unwavering supportive bond, which in the end created a great mentorship. “I would still talk to him, after every game, even after I turned pro,” confessed Pineault. “I talked to him every single day, it was our thing.”

 “I get a chuckle out of it now, he would always point out the things throughout my entire career that I really needed to improve on,” reflected Pineault. 

  “My dad wasn’t like a coach, he was a motivator, so when you have someone that it motivates you, I think that’s one of the differences in the game today, nowadays the parents yell at kids. My father was the complete opposite, he motivated me over my entire career,” explained Pineault. 

  Number 4 

                  From the backyard rink to devoting hours studying the American Hockey League, Adam Pineault’s journey in the game of hockey was on the fast track. 

The skilled right shot winger had a pro release and possessed the perfect blend of size, skill, speed, grit and hockey sense at a young age which attracted a monumental amount of attention from scouts, advisors and US Colleges. 

                  At fourteen years of age, Pineault became accustomed and accepting of all the attention surrounding his ascension in the game, but that all changed with one encounter. 

                  Pineault’s father was a well-known sports memorabilia collector and dealer. Pineault understood the sports world and what high profile athletes go through and believe it or not he was getting a lot of recognition around the game during that time as well. However, he wasn’t prepared for what his father was going to tell him when he came home from school one day. 

“I still remember as soon as I walked in the door, my dad said, get upstairs and shower.” A perplexed Pineault questioned his father right way, ‘Ok, why’? 

‘Bobby Orr is coming to the house tonight at six o’clock, he wants to meet you,’ replied Pineault’s father.  “So I was like, oh shit really. I was so star struck,” Pineault said. 

Pineault was in the ninth grade at the time and obviously growing up on the outskirts of Beantown was fully aware of  #4’s impact on the game. “I must have given Bobby a list of like fifty people deep that I wanted him to sign pictures for,” joked Pineault. 

  “I was so fortunate to have Bobby has an advisor growing up, he really guided me a long the way. I’ll always be grateful for that agency and what they provided me throughout my career,” stressed Pineault.

When Bobby Orr represents you at fourteen years old, it’s clear you are going places in the game.  However, life is unpredictable! 

A True Freshman             

The US College route versus the Canadian Hockey League still remains a controversial hot topic debate surrounding today’s game.  Each year more and more young highly skilled players across North America are confronted with the dilemma.   

College? or Major Junior?

The allure of playing in the mecca of Hockey East, was enough for Pineault  to jump at the opportunity to suit up for Boston College Eagles.  

Pineault was coming off two seasons with United States Under 18 Development Program, cumulating in a U-17 World Champion Gold Medal. 

At the tender age of 17, the highly touted gritty two-way winger from Holyoke, Massachusetts believed he was ready to showcase his skill set on the college stage, even if it meant playing against players five to six years older. Pineault would ultimately experience the highs and lows of college hockey. 

The home grown product only appeared in 29 games in 2003-04 and managed to find the back of the net four times while adding four assists. 

Pineault considers his year at BC as a learning experience, but does slightly regret the decision to play at that level. “Looking back, you always say what if, that’s one of those things I question,” said Pineault. 

“What if, I would have gone to junior a year early? I probably should have gone to junior when I was drafted out of the US Development Program.” 

Pineault would ultimately get a fresh start in a place he had never heard tell in all places,  Atlantic Canada.

 Pineault would take full advantage of his second chance to show the hockey world he belonged on hockey’s highest stage. (Photo Credit USA Hockey)

Moncton, where’s Moncton?

Adam Pineault had never heard tell of Moncton, New Brunswick let alone the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. “When I got the call that I was drafted, 4th overall, I was like Moncton, where’s Moncton,” confessed Pineault. 

“I was still unaware what the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League was.”

“The first time I met Mr. Irving, I was sixteen, I had already committed to Boston College.” 

“At the time you’re going through so much at a young age. Growing up in Boston, you are almost star struck to get a offer from a college like BC, it was a dream come true,” confessed Pineault.  “Looking back with regards to hockey, I would have chosen the junior route when I was drafted at sixteen.”

From the moment Pineault arrived in the Hub City, he realized it was match made in heaven. “The Wildcats were so professional. They pretty much mould you at young age, to get you ready for that AHL/NHL professional life style with the games, travel and everything,” Pineault added.

Adam Pineault had proven he could excel at the junior level and that his freshman year at BC was just an enigma. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets had selected Pineault in 2nd Round 46 th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. It was clear that the Massachusetts product did enough to catch the attention of NHL scouts the year before.  Nevertheless, Pineault was anxious to show the critics just what he could do when given an opportunity to play. 

All the hard work and sacrifices Pineault and his family had made throughout his journey in game both North and South of the border were finally paying off with tremendous individual and team success. 

The dream to play in the NHL was within reach. 

Pineault’s first foray in the QMJHL/CHL saw the 6’1 200 pounder amass 26 goals, 20 assists for 46 points in 61 games. Pineault played 12 playoff games that season where he totaled 2 goals and 6 assists. (Photo Credit Moncton Wildcats)

The skilled rangy forward had arrived. Pineault would ultimately save his best for last, on a national stage in 2005-2006.

A Season to Remember 

After a successful rookie campaign in the QMJHL, Pineault and the Moncton Wildcats were ready to compete for junior hockey’s holy grail.  The Memorial Cup. 

The Moncton Wildcats landed hosting duties in the organizations tenth year of existence. Pineault and the Wildcats got off to a tremendous start that season, but the team wanted to claim the league champion not just the host. 

Pineault’s impact as a Top 6 forward under the Ted Nolan coached Wildcats was truly incredible.  In 55 regular season games, the talented winger scored 29 goals and added 30 assists, was + 30 and amassed 94 PIM’s. (Photo Credit the QMJHL)

“To play with such a tight knit group of guys, from the coaching staff to the training staff everything clicked that year for us,” said the power forward. 

“When we won the President Cup you could see the excitement everyone had in the City for the Memorial Cup,” remembered Pineault. 

Pineault’s playoff performance will go down in the annals of Wildcats lore. In 21 games he amassed 14 goals and 8 assists playing in every situation.  “Playing in the Memorial Cup in front of your home town crowd was one of the greatest memories I have playing hockey,” said Pineault.

Pineault fondly remembers driving downtown with his father after beating the Peterborough Petes during the Mem. Cup. “My dad and I could hear the chant, Go Cats Go on Main Street, he turned to me and said, ‘enjoy every minute of this.’

“Looking back now, I know what he meant,” Pineault confessed. 

The Wildcats lost in heartbreaking fashion in the Memorial Cup Final to their QMJHL rivals the Quebec Remparts. In two seasons with the Moncton Wildcats the talented winger amassed 135 points and 201 PIM’s in 149 games.

 Pineault’s junior career was over, but Moncton would always hold a special place in his heart in more ways than one. 

The Interview

A two-minute interview between periods with Rogers TV Moncton changed Adam Pineault’s life forever. 

 Pineault had just returned back from the World Junior Hockey Championship and agreed to talk with Monique Gauthier, a rink side reporter and host for the local community TV station that covered Wildcats games.

 It would be the first time Pineault formally met Gauthier, a meeting that he would never forget.

Pineault was attracted to Gauthier who was a successful model and sports reporter, but didn’t approach her until September 2005. Pineault was out of the lineup with an injury and did a quick interview with Gauthier to discuss his progress.  

Pineault had finally summoned up the courage to ask the reporter out. The stars would eventually align for Gauthier and Pineault. 

An inseparable bond was created.   

Love is unpredictable.

The Pro Game

Adam Pineault turned pro after an outstanding run in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats. He was one step closer to realizing his dream of playing in the National Hockey League. He was hungry for an opportunity to finally accomplish his childhood dream.

From Moncton, New Brunswick to Syracuse, New York, Adam Pineault was poised to start his professional career knowing full well the jump would be difficult. 

 In 2006-07 Pineault stepped into the Syracuse Crunch line up right away looking to have an impact as a twenty year old.  In 57 games he amassed 12 goals, 16 assists and totaled 66 PIM’s.  The Mass. product had got his first taste of the pro game and turned in a solid rookie campaign. Nevertheless, Pineault knew he could be more offensively dynamic in his sophomore season. 

He stayed true to his word in 74 games the talented winger scored 21 goals had 27 assists and didn’t shy way from the sand paper aspect of his game amassing 64 PIM’s. Pineault had done enough to warrant an opportunity to step on NHL ice. 

“They have always called the American Hockey League, ‘the always hungry league’,” explained Pineault. “You are doing these bus rides, ordering subs from a local deli down the street and you are so close to being in the NHL, sitting on private jets.” (Photo Credit AHL)

“When you are so close, even looking back right now you always question, what could I have done better to make that jump, it really is a fine line, whether it’s injuries or your performance. I’m one of those guys that every thing happens for a reason, whether it was timing, I think it’s always going to be one of those things that you question, what could I have done differently,” explained Pineault. 

In two and half seasons with the Syracuse Crunch, Pineault played 168 games amassing 90 points. Nevertheless, his days with the Crunch were numbered Pineault would subsequently ask for a trade half way through the following season, a decision that he still considers his biggest regret in the game.  

On the Wall

 Adam Pineault was no different than any other hockey playing kid from New England. He had his share of favorite Boston Bruins player’s posters on his wall, Cam Neely, Adam Oates.  Nevertheless, there was one NHL player that Pineault idolized cut from a different mold than the rest of them on his wall. 

Sergei Fedorov. “One of my first NHL call ups was in Dallas, and I was sitting beside Fedorov.” 

  “I played a few exhibition games on his line, but I was still star struck. The equipment guys would lay everything out for Sergei, you could say he was pretty rigorous with his routine,” explained Pineault.

  “I had my Gatorade cup beside me, and he had his socks all laid out in his stall for the 1st, 2ndand 3rdperiods, there I am taping my stick, I reached down to get the wax and wouldn’t you know it, spilled my Gatorade all over his socks.” 

 “This is one of my idols growing up and I’m shitting bricks, so I grab his socks, and go into one of the equipment rooms where they have the glove dryers all set up.” 

 “I have his socks floating in the wind, just like one of those balloon things at car dealerships,” said Pineault bursting out laughing. 

 “All of sudden Hitchcock is going for a piss, and he keeps looking back at me and finally says; ‘Fucking Christ Pineault this is the NHL you can get a new pair of socks.’ (Photo Credit NHL.com)

   Pineault’s reply caught the coach off guard. “I just spilled Gatorade on Sergei Fedorov’s socks. “Hitchcock’s exact words to me were ‘Well get those fucking dry, we need Sergei tonight.” 

   Pineault didn’t play on that West coast swing, but his dream of playing in the NHL would finally come true near the end of the season versus the high powered Detroit Red Wings. 

The Long Awaited Debut

 Adam Pineault had waited his entire life for this moment. Sure he had been called up a few times, but this time he was going to play.  “I was stretching after a game in Syracuse, when my coach called me into his office, we would always laugh when guys got called into the office, you knew you did something wrong.” 

 “He told me to take a seat, his first words out of his mouth were ‘how did you think you played tonight’, so I replied, you tell me.” 

  Pineault will never forget the next words uttered by his coach, ‘good enough, because you are going to Detroit and you are playing tomorrow night.’

 “Monique was waiting in the car for me, so there I come carrying my hockey bag and sticks, she had this big smile on her face, and jumped out and gave me a big hug,” Pineault said fondly. 

That night Monique started planning the twelve-hour trek to Detroit.  She would drop Pineault off at the airport for his flight at 6 am and carry on to the Motor City with Adam’s best friend former Wildcat teammate Adam Blanchette. “You go through so many emotions,” said Pineault reflecting on his NHL debut. 

 “I still remember stepping out for my first shift, but in the warm-ups I think I missed two or three line rushes.” 

“Detroit had everybody at that time, I was in awe of all the Red Wings, I was staring down at the other end of the ice, missing my own warm-up,” Pineault said laughing. 

“I still remember my first shift when he called us out, but to play in a rink like Joe Louis for your first game against the Red Wings, I think I was just looking up at the rafters just in awe,”

“There was a point where I almost got off the ice because I was so nervous, I remember skating out for a faceoff and feeling my heart almost pumping through my chest. Once the puck drops, its just another game, but at that time the build up to it was so intense, I think that’s one of those games where I couldn’t sleep during my pre game nap.” 

Adam Pineault’s dream to play in the NHL had come true.  From the 4x4 sheet of ice in his driveway in Holyoke, Mass. to the bus rides in the QMJHL and the AHL to the NHL all the hard work and sacrifices had finally paid off. 

Loyalty

Everyone needs an ally. 

In the best of times or the worst of times everyone needs someone in their lives that goes above and beyond, a person who will always listen and be supportive. 

Loyalty in the game of hockey today is hard to come by, that’s what makes this relationship so special. “Adam came up as a certain player, like many others that found a niche that allows them to play professional hockey,” said former Columbus Blue Jacket’s Head Coach Ken Hitchcock. 

“Adam came up as a scoring player that could score highlight reel goals and then over time he developed a real balance in his game,” Hitchcock added. 

“Adam was a guy that you could count on down your line-up, to kill penalties, he was a glue guy in the minors. He became a real trusted character person that became an organizational player that you appreciated what he brought to the team on a daily basis, it wasn’t based on goals and assists after a while,” explained the long-time NHL Head Coach.(Photo Credit NHL.com)

“For me when a player is right on the cusp of things, sometimes you owe the player the opportunity,” Hitchcock said about Pineault’s subsequent trade to the Chicago Blackhawks organization in 2008-09. 

“If that opportunity isn’t going to be on your team, it’s not fair for the player, his family,” Hitchcock added. 

To this day Pineault regrets the decision to ask the Blue Jackets organization for a trade.“One of the worst things I ever did was call Bobby Orr asking for a trade out of the Columbus organization,” confessed Pineault. 

“What if, I was more mentally tough and what if I didn’t call Bobby, would I’ve been in the NHL with Columbus, I still play those scenarios in my head,” Pineault said. 

 “What if I would have stuck it out in Columbus and kept developing, I was only 22 or 23 years old, you think you know everything at that age, but looking back now what if I would have stuck that out,” questioned Pineault.

“Columbus put all that time, money, signing bonus and everything into you, so you think the grass maybe greener on the other side. From being a 1st or 2nd line guy in Syracuse and potential call up, I go to Rockford and I’m a 3rd line guy playing mostly penalty kill.” 

“I was like aww man, what I have I done,” said Pineault. 

“As the games went on in 2008-09, I was certainly regretting the decision we made requesting a trade,” Pineault confessed. 

“There was a decision that was made, not the best for us, but a better opportunity for Adam. With not making the playoffs we were starting to get stacked up and Adam was going to get squeezed out,” explained Hitchcock. 

“It wasn’t going to be fair for Adam and the job he was doing was going to go to a younger guy,” said Hitchcock. 

“There’s times where you have to do what’s best for the players and their families, that’s the business, you don’t want to stop a guys career and not give him an opportunity to see if he can enhance it in another organization.” 

Pineault suited up for Hitchcock for only 3 games in 2007-08, they would be the only NHL games he would ever play, none of that mattered, when loyalty is involved. 

 Pineault’s time playing in North America had come to an end. Pineault attended the Providence Bruins Training Camp on a PTO and had some success, but the writing was on the wall.

Pineault and his wife Monique made the decision to play in the Czech Republic for one season in hopes of landing another opportunity in North America. 

Pineault’s career was blossoming while playing for Pardubice, when the unthinkable happened.

The Unexpected Battle

 Pineault and his wife Monique had returned to his family home in Holyoke, Mass. after his second season in the Czech Republic.  Pineault had signed on for three more seasons in Pardubice when the unthinkable occurred.  

Pineault’s father had been diagnosed with cancer some six months earlier and Adam and Monique were spending some time with his family in Boston. Monique had been experiencing heart palpitations during that time, but the couple thought nothing of it. They returned to Florida and Monique’s condition worsened considerably. 

  Pineault was good friends with a local cardiologist in Florida and on his suggestion Monique went in to see him. Over the next few days of tests it became apparent that what Adam and Monique thought as just a flu virus, was very serious. 

  Monique was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a rare form of cancer. “When they pull you aside and tell your wife that she had cancer, that was definitely a whirlwind,” said an emotional Pineault. 

   Pineault’s world stopped. 

Hockey didn’t matter; his two pillars of strength and support were battling for their lives at the same time. It was decided that Monique and Adam would travel back to Moncton for treatment, so her family could be with her at the difficult time. 

                  “I called the team right away and told them what was going on and that I couldn’t honour the contract, just because we didn’t know the prognosis and at that point hockey is the last thing on your mind, family first,” said Pineault. 

                  “You are almost lost, in a trance, trying to figure out what is going on, where your father and your wife going through it at the sametime.” 

 “Monique was so mentally strong throughout the entire process,” Pineault said. “She gave me so much confidence, I still remember her looking at me directly and saying, don’t worry babe, I’m going to beat this, so I almost had that sense of relief,” Pineault said. 

 To this day Pineault can’t believe how positive and strong Monique was throughout the entire ordeal. “How could someone going through that cancer be so positive, she was almost the one reassuring me that everything was going to be ok,” explained Pineault. 

Pineault was the first to break to news to his wife Monique. You have cancer. “Tears started rolling down my cheeks and I placed my head on his shoulder and we cried together in total devastation,” said Monique Pineault. 

“I felt emotional pain that can’t be described and knew Adam was in pieces,” she said. When asked what role her husband played in her journey Monique Pineault is quick to respond. “His role goes beyond any words and deeper than any feelings,” she said. 

 “He was by my side every single step of the way. His support was the glue to my healing and our relationship got stronger through those trying times,” said the former model and Rogers TV sports reporter. 

 “Adam's ability to find special meanings and moments during a difficult time was truly remarkable. Adam showed me his heart and his commitment to finish something that he had started,” she added. “Adam is big on that, his laughter throughout everything soothed my soul, we did it together.

 “Adam’s an amazing husband, my angel and always will be, I love him more than words can describe,” said an emotional Monique Pineault.  

Monique would require a bone-marrow transplant. Her brother was a perfect match.  At that point all the news surrounding the Pineault family wasn’t as promising. Roland’s cancer became terminal. 

10 minutes, 10 Hours 

The familiar drive to Springfield become and emotional endeavour for Adam Pineault.

With his wife awaiting a bone-marrow transplant which was going to be performed in Halifax, Nova Scotia and his father very ill, Adam Pineault called in a favour.  

Pineault reached out to Chris MacFarlane of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization to see if he could attend and play in a few preseason AHL games with the Blue Jackets affiliate in nearby Springfield.

The familiar trek to nearby Springfield took an entirely different meaning. A journey with so many fond childhood memories turned into an emotional farewell journey which meant the world to Pineault.

“I knew I wasn’t playing hockey that year, my father would never see me play again.” 

“Chris was well aware of what was going on and my father’s condition, so I just asked him if they would give me the opportunity to have me come to camp so I could play a few more games in front my dad.” 

“I still remember after leaving the last game I played, my father even knew that was going to be the last time he would see me play, I drove the 10 hours through the night back to Moncton because it was only a few days until she had her bone-marrow transplant, seeing Monique go through what she went through, you really feel helpless,” Pineault recalled. 

“That was definitely one of the toughest points going through every thing was that drive, knowing that was the last time my dad would see me play and what was laying ahead with what my wife was going through with the bone-marrow transplant,” confessed Pineault. 

“I’m so grateful for Chris and Columbus for giving me something so special as that, having the opportunity to play in front of my dad one last time.” 

During the darkest days of his wife’s and father’s battle Adam Pineault would always hear a familiar voice on the other end of the phone. 

“I’m a firm believer if you played for a team that I coached, I owe you that loyalty in tough times,” said Ken Hitchcock. 

“We all talk about family first and we preach that, this was an opportunity to do the right thing,” said Hitchcock of staying in contact with Adam and Monique during her battle and recovery. 

 “I think loyalty towards players, goes both ways. You want them loyal to you and the organization, when that opportunity comes to you as a coach, they should expect that same level of loyalty from us,” explained Hitchcock.

 “I knew Monique and Adam were going through a really difficult time and I just felt like I needed to stay with this and I needed to help them see it through,” said Hitchcock.

 “It was the right thing to do,” said a reflective Hitchcock.

“Sometimes we have loyalty when a players with us, and then when he leaves, there’s no loyalty, so you forget about him, I don’t like doing that stuff so once you have played on a team that I coached that loyalty is there forever,” added Hitchcock. 

Comeback

Everyone loves a comeback story, it’s unpredictable and in many ways inspirational. Adam Pineault never left Monique’s side during her courageous battle with cancer and recovery. She was his inspiration. 

“Once Monique went through the bone-marrow transplant, we returned home to Florida, I don’t even think the doctor got it out of his mouth that she was in remission when she goes, well it’s time for you to play hockey again,” recalled Pineault.(Photo Credit Allen Americans)

                  Hockey would never be the same for Pineault after the passing of his father, but his return to the ice can be fully attributed to his wife’s strength and courage. 

 “Monique was so supportive, through it all,” Pineault said. Due to Monique’s condition she had to stay in hospital throughout the entire journey. Between Moncton and Halifax, the Pineault’s stayed in hospital for close to 100 days. 

                  Pineault wanted to ensure Monique was in remission before he signed onto play hockey again. It would be an old Wildcat teammate that would put in a good word for Pineault. “I knew at that point I was so out of shape, I was like a 180 pounds, but I knew I had a lot of work to do,” Pineault said.

          “I called Josh Heptich who was playing in Allen for the Americans and he said that he would go and talk to the coaching staff right way,” Pineault recalled.

                  “Josh called me right back and they said that they would love to have me,” Pineault said. 

                  “After being involved in hockey for the last twenty-seven years, I can say that Adam has been one of the best teammates I’ve ever had,” said current Moncton Wildcats Asst. Coach Josh Heptich.  “When coaches talk about wanting good players, but better people, Adam is the best example, I can think of,” said Heptich who won the President Cup with Pineault in 2006. 

                  “During his time in Moncton, Adam was a great player for our team, but also one of the main players off the ice that helped our team succeed,” explained Heptich. 

                  “His selflessness and positive attitude was something that brought the Wildcats together and when you can be that guy off the ice and one of the hardest working on the ice your respect from others goes through the roof,” explained Heptich. 

                  Adam Pineault was back playing a game he loved, surrounded by twenty brothers. “When I went to Allen, I felt back in my element, when you are a hockey player you are used to a certain element and being around the guys, and you have each other’s back,” said Pineault.

                  “Once I went down I was considered one of the family right away, I could immediately feel those stressors go away and you almost forget about everything when you are on the ice, Pineault added. 

                  Pineault’s return to the game was short lived, Monique had a set back and he returned to Florida to be with her. “Monique was even telling me to stay, that just goes to show you what type of wife I have,” Pineault said. 

                  “One of the things my dad always said was, hockey is just a game, your wife comes first.”

The Unknown 

                   The fear of the unknown is a brutal reality for athletes who don’t leave the game on their own terms. “Not knowing what lies next is what made it difficult and I was fortunate enough to play a few more years of pro hockey, I went back to Allen and won a Championship the following season,” Pineault said. 

After a brief stint in the East Coast Hockey League in Utah, and after sustaining a severe jaw injury, which needed multiple surgeries Pineault, decided to hang up the blades for good at 27. 

“It goes hand in hand with what a lot of guys go through when they retire, when you are with a group of guys, and that’s all you know, when you are away from it you feel lost a little bit.” 

“When you are on the ice everyday with twenty-two brothers you forget about everything in the outside world,” admitted Pineault.

Retirement is the unknown; it’s the unpredictability and the lack of routine that often takes the largest toll on athletes transitioning out of their beloved sport. 

“I think everything kind of kicked in shortly after I left the game for good, you know you have such a sense of purpose and drive to hopefully make the NHL one day, you are surrounded by twenty-two of your best friends everyday and we are playing a game for your living,” explained Pineault. 

“When that’s taken from you, you have all this free time, you almost don’t know what to do with yourself, you lose that sense of purpose, it almost hits you like a ton of bricks,” said a reflective Pineault.

“When you lose that sense of purpose that’s when the hamster wheels start turning, that’s when you start going through times of anxiousness almost wishing you could go back another eight to ten years and be back with the boys and live that lifestyle all over again.” 

“I went through therapy and all that, you don’t realize you are going to be that guy. You hear about these programs and you say that won’t happen to me, then when you are the guy that it happens to you are like so now what do I do in my spare time and keep that sense of purpose,” Pineault said. 

 In the Room

  Adam Pineault was always good in the room, he was the ultimate teammate.   Life after hockey had its share of ups and down. Pineault still takes pride in being good in the room, it’s his new career and new found passion. (Photo Credit Allen Americans)

 Pineault conducts his business in the operating room. 

 “Monique had some side effects from the chemo and steroids and had bi-lateral hip replacement, so I was at that point where I needed to figure out what I wanted to do after hockey,” Pineault said. 

“I had my heart set on becoming a firefighter, and being part of a team again, but an opportunity came up where I could get into the medical field.” 

                  “I starting training and become a medical device rep for facial and brain trauma surgeries, I went through that and an opportunity came up to get into orthopaedic,” explained Pineault. 

                  “Seeing what my wife went through, I found a really big interest the orthopaedics especially on the hip side of things, I really enjoy it,” Pineault added. 

                  “I’m in the operating room every, my mother gets a chuckle to this day that I’m in the operating room more than some doctors.” 

                  Pineault had a big adjust to make going back to school for his new career. “I was that guy that my only focus was hockey so when I found that passion, I kind of put in that category when you care about something, I was always all in.” 

                  “I did everything I could to study and train, I did everything I could to become as knowledgeable as I could be, to be the best I could be in the operating room,” stressed Pineault. So the obvious question remains, with everything Adam Pineault has through  accomplished and has gone through, does he still miss the game of hockey? “Every single day,” Pineault replied instantly.

                  “My wife and I are fortune that we have a junior hockey program locally and we have taken in a few junior players as billets.”

“I wouldn’t say I got that sense of purpose when you retire, hockey the only thing I’ve known my whole life, so what do I do know.” 

“Even though I have a great job and everything, Monique and I taking in those billet kids has really brought back that sense of purpose back into my life where I can do whatever I can to help them follow their dream of maybe making it to the NHL one day,” explained Pineault. 

 “Its really helped me bringing these boys into our lives.” 

Pineault is giving back to the game in his own way, taking the lesson’s he learned from his father and embracing the role as a mentor. “Experiencing what I went through in the game, when everything is going good there’s nothing to talk about, but when things are going wrong, that’s when my wife and I step in, so I definitely see myself taking that mentorship role,” Pineault said.   

“Hopefully Monique and I can have an impact on these young kids, and in one-way or another change their future and lives,” Pineault said proudly.

Monique and Adam Pineault have had an unpredictable journey in the game of hockey and life, their courage, strength of character and positive approach to the journey is truly awe inspiring. 

Life is unpredictable. There is no script. You write it as you go.

Yours in hockey, Craig