The Clippers rookie duo of Sam Boisvert and Gus El-Tahhan have taken their skills from Mount Academy on the east coast of Canada to the Nanaimo Clippers on Vancouver Island. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Rookie Duo

VIDEO: Boisvert and El-Tahhan are friends & roommates adjusting to life in the BCHL

Nov 16, 2023 | 10:06 AM

NANAIMO — New Clippers Gus El-Tahhan and Samuel Boisvert have moved across the country to begin their junior hockey careers.

After finishing last season with the Mount Academy Selects in the maritimes they have gone together from coast to coast to play in the BCHL.

Boisvert has played in 16 games so far and is Nanaimo’ top scoring rookie with 11 points. The 18-year-old is working on adapting his game in a new league.

“It’s been a good lesson both mentally and physically. It’s a tough league and I going to build on my start for sure. I think team first. I give it my all every game and if I do the points will come. I am working on finishing checks, getting more pucks and if I do I’ll get more scoring chances.”

El-Tahhan has three points in 14 games and said he’s learning a lot from watching and being around the veterans with the Clippers.

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“At this stage of my career I want to focus on being simple and then I feel like the offensive part of my game will come. It’s about getting pucks in deep, playing hard, finishing checks and making simple passes.”

On their most recent weekend the Clippers recorded back to back wins over island rivals Victoria and Alberni Valley.

Boisvert said it’s sign the team is ready to get on a roll.

“The team has been winning one and losing one, winning two in a row the boys will be going and we’ll start winning.”

El-Tahhan and Boisvert each played one of the two games.

For El-Tahhan coming to Nanaimo with his good friend and now getting to live together has made the adjustment much easier.

“He’s someone to talk out things with every day through good and bad. It’s nice to have someone else’s perspective and I like having him by my side.”

Boisvert added the pair are able to pick each other up if things aren’t going well.

“If we have a bad game we motivate each other and never leave the other down. We know each other very well and we’re here to support each other. It’s the best thing for both of us.”

El-Tahhan, Boisvert and the rest of the Clippers are set to embark on their longest road trip of the season on Friday, Nov. 17 and Saturda, Nov. 18 to play in Trail and Cranbrook.

CLIP NOTES:

Forward Willyam Gendron has been named the first star of the week in the BCHL with two goals and four assists in two games.

Teammates Mike Murtagh and Brett Merner were given honourable mentions for the three stars of the week.

Forward Gabriel Westling made his Clippers debut on Nov. 10. He recorded an assist in his second game of the season, a 5-2 win in Alberni Valley the following night.

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