Two-time Captain Guilmain Aims to Lead in Hockey

By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer

Originally, it was a sport that his father enjoyed and wanted his son to give it a try, and once a young Ayden Guilmain stepped onto the ice, hockey became his main sport. The now senior Bellingham center can play just about everywhere, but center has been his primary position.

“My father signed me up for lessons, and immediately it was a sport that I loved. Everything about the game was exciting; the environment in the rink is unlike any other sport,” Guilmain said. “The vibe is different, and the game is played at a super-fast pace with action all around you.”

Growing up, Guilmain played youth hockey in addition to playing on three different club hockey teams (Woonsocket North Stars, RI Saints and lately the Bronco Hockey Club out of Burrillville RI). Thankfully, he had decided to take part in the club hocky route as, by the time he got to high school, he found that hockey was on a very different level than what he was used to. 

“High school hockey was really serious, and I was glad that I had played for a good club team in the Saints,” he said. “Playing for them really helped me to prepare for the high school season. The coaching staff was really helpful in getting me ready for that next level.”

As a freshman, Guilmain made the Bellingham varsity squad as a defenseman, something that he had played occasionally throughout his career whenever his team someone to fill in, but he would much rather play center, his natural position. When he was moved back to center as a sophomore, he was more than relieved.

Making the varsity team was not only an honor, but a big step up for Guilmain.

“It was one of the biggest steps that I have ever been involved with; being a 14-year-old playing against 17- and 18-year-old seniors,” he said. “It was intimidating, but I did learn a lot from them, discipline being the biggest.”

Coach Brad Kwatcher has seen Guilmain, now as a second-year captain with the Blackhawks, grow over his four years with the team.

“As a person, he has matured and become more vocal on the ice. His hockey sense has also gotten much better,” the Bellingham coach said. “He took on the challenge of playing defense for us for one year, and now he’s back to playing center, where he shines. I believe that he can challenge himself to take it to the next level.”

Naming a player a two-year captain is not something that the Coach usually does, but knows it is something that Guilman can handle. 

“As a second-year captain I want to improve. Last year, I don’t think that I led as best as I could have,” Guilmain said. “I want to be a positive role model and lead by example more this year. I also want the experience top to be a positive one where we are all having fun and let them know that it’s ok to fail once in a while.”

Over the past three seasons, the Blackhawks have improved each year and although Bellingham will still have a tough time competing against some of the top-notch programs, Guilmain is looking forward to a successful senior campaign.

“We are still building, but after only losing two seniors, I think that we should have a strong season this year,” the two-time captain said. “If we stick to our game and play disciplined hockey, we should be alright and able to make it into the playoffs, something that I have never done in my high school career,and I’m not sure when the last time Bellingham made it.”

According to the Blackhawk Coach, if Guilmain stays focused ,he is going to be counted on to provide some big offensive threats this year. He also expects the senior to have the best year of his career.

While he is looking to guide his team into the playoffs, individually, Guilmain is looking to increase his strength while gaining some weight so that he can hold his own on the ice against the bigger athletes. During the offseason, he has put in the work while hitting the gym as much as he can. 

Guilmain sees himself a more of a playmaker, pass first before shooting, but he also believes that he’ll get his goals as well. While the season has yet to begin, Guilmain would like to continue his hockey playing following high school, but most likely for a collegiate club team, hopefully at the University of New Hampshire or Syracuse University.

 “I’d like to play club hockey in college to have fun,” Guilmain said. “I am mainly going to college for academics, but schools with a club hockey team would be a perk, being able to play the sport that I love.”