Going from junior A hockey to being a reservist and a Royal Military College of Canada student-athlete required some adjustment for Devin Leduc and Isaac Pascoal.
Both forwards, who spent time developing their games in the British Columbia Hockey League, suited up for the RMC Paladins last season. For Pascoal, it was his first year at the Kingston, Ont. institution, while Leduc has been there for three years.
Related: Noble and Skapski pursue hockey and military careers at RMC
“Off the ice, the most notable difference between life at RMC and junior hockey is the academic and military aspect,” Pascoal said. “Maintaining a full schedule of classes throughout the week and occasionally training nights requires significant time management, which can occasionally be challenging. Nevertheless, RMC excels at providing the necessary support and accommodations for varsity athletes according to their individual needs.”
The Paladins compete at the USPORTS level, the highest in Canadian university athletics. They are in the competitive Ontario University Athletics conference.
“Regarding the on-ice experience, the primary difference lies in competing against older and more seasoned players,” Pascoal said. “This situation is reminiscent of being a 16-year-old in junior hockey, where adaptations to the heightened level of play (are) essential due to opponents’ increased size and strength.”
The student-athletes appreciate the opportunities RMC provides.
“What I enjoy about playing at RMC is the fact that I get to continue to play hockey at the highest university level in Canada and compete against some really good players – all the while getting a university degree and representing my country by partaking in military training in the summer,” Leduc said.
Fellow BCHL alumni Cole Noble and Marshall Skapski competed for the Paladins last season. They were cadets pursuing military careers.
BCHL connections to the Paladins
Hailing from Kingston, Ont., Pascoal spent the 2019-20 campaign in the BCHL with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. He was to play the next season for the Pembroke Lumber Kings in the Central Canada Hockey League, but COVID-19 wiped out the season. Pascoal split 2021-22 between the Cobourg Cougars of the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the CCHL’s Carleton Place Canadians.
Barrie, Ont.’s Leduc got his start in the BCHL when he played two games as an affiliate in 2016-17 for the Langley Rivermen. He went on to play the next two full seasons with Langley. Leduc wrapped up his career by dividing the 2019-20 campaign between the Rivermen and the Powell River Kings.
Related: Revisiting Rivermen trades from the 2019-20 season
“The biggest reason I chose to play junior hockey in the BCHL is because it has a reputation around Canada for being the best junior A league, and prepares players for college hockey,” Leduc said. “The BCHL had the greatest amount of college commitments and I knew playing in a league with such skilled players it would make me a better player and give me the best opportunity to play college hockey.”
“The BCHL helped develop my game because it was a very fast-paced league and a very skilled style of play. For that reason, it pushed me to develop both offensively and defensively. Playing against some of the best junior A hockey players just made me a better player. The BCHL treats its players like the (Canadian Hockey League) – good coaching and player support to help the player become the best they can be,” he added.
AT RMC, Leduc is studying civil engineering. On the ice, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound athlete scored five goals and recorded two assists in 2022-23.
“Devin Leduc is a power forward with a modern style of play that is well-suited to the RMC hockey program,” head coach Richard Lim said. “His 200-foot game makes him effective in all situations and matchups, and he is able to use his size and speed to take over shifts and games. Devin’s strength on the puck and heavy shot make him a threat on offense and also create space for his linemates.
“In addition to his contributions on the ice, Devin is a leader in the RMC program and a great spokesperson for the school,” Lim continued.
Meanwhile, Pascoal made an immediate impact in his first season with the Paladins. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder finished second on the team with 17 points in 22 games. He had six goals and 11 assists.
“Isaac has had an impressive first season in U SPORTS, making a smooth transition with his strong hockey IQ,” Lim said. “He has been able to adapt quickly to the speed and physicality of the league, while still contributing offensively. As a top-six player, Isaac has consistently found ways to contribute and help drive his team’s offense. His promising start has us excited to see his continued development over the next three years, and we look forward to seeing his future contributions to the team.”
Pascoal, who is majoring in business administration, enjoys being part of his nation’s military. “The aspect I appreciate most about being a part of the Canadian military is the deeply ingrained culture of respect and collaboration,” he said. “Each individual fulfills their duties with a focus on achieving collective objectives.”