17-Year-Old Canadian’s Success Turns Heads in the Hockey World as He Copes with Losing His Mother

Published 02/19/2024, 10:31 AM EST

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Meet Lou Lévesque: a rising star and key member of the Halifax Mooseheads, whose has mesmerized everyone with his hockey prowess. But his impressive hockey skills are just one part of his story. Personal tragedy and resilience have marked Lévesque’s journey, shaping him into someone who is greatly admired.

At the young age of 17, Lévesque’s story begins with a heartbreaking goodbye to his beloved mother, Catherine Labelle. Despite the pain of her sudden passing in September 2022 from a cardiac arrest, Lévesque holds on to his mother’s belief that “everything happens for a reason.” This loss has left a void in his life, but it has also sparked a fierce determination to honor his mother’s memory.

The power of a mother’s love

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Reflecting on their last encounter, Lévesque dearly holds onto the final words spoken by his mother: a simple but heartfelt, “Have a good day, love you.” For Lou, it served as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility and the immense impact of love. Despite facing tragedy, he draws strength from her wisdom and strives to excel in all areas of his life, both on and off the ice.

Amidst the difficulties of coping with loss, Lévesque finds solace in the game he is passionate about. His rapid ascent in the world of hockey, from the Saint-Eustache Vikings to the Halifax Mooseheads, is a testament to his commitment.

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Lévesque’s selection in the fifth round of the 2022 draft by the Mooseheads raised a few eyebrows. It was primarily down to his smaller stature as a forward, standing at only five-foot-eight and weighing 150 pounds. However, the team’s management instead chose to carefully plan out his development.

Knowing that the team had an abundance of experienced players and a powerful drive to win the league championship, they made the strategic decision to nurture Lévesque’s talents through the midget AAA level in Quebec.

Although he faced challenges, including a fractured scaphoid that kept him off the ice for two months, Lévesque always smiled. His remarkable skills have catapulted him to the top of Mooseheads’ roster, earning him the admiration of teammates and supporters.

“That’s what makes me live right now, as a hockey player, as a guy who’s going to school, every day as a person, just to make her proud and use what she was saying to me every day to just find some answers and get better,” said Lévesque.

Lou and hockey, a match made in heaven

Jake Furlong, captain of the Halifax Mooseheads, hailed Lévesque for his outstanding season; particularly his ability to rise above adversity with a positive attitude and tireless determination. Despite experiencing tremendous heartache, Lévesque serves as an inspiration to all who have watched his journey.

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“That would be tough on anybody, I think,” said Furlong. “And being away from his dad for this long is definitely tough on him. But he’s handling it well. He’s in the same mood every day. We’re pretty proud of him.”

Lévesque approaches every game as a heartfelt homage to his beloved mother’s legacy. All the games he plays are a powerful reminder of her everlasting impact on his journey. With every stride on the ice, he draws upon the invaluable guidance she instilled in him. As he sets his sights on the highly coveted NHL Draft, Lévesque remains unrelenting in his pursuit of hockey greatness.

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His compelling journey, marked by both victories and obstacles, serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide.

Watch this story – 18-Year-Old Hockey Player’s Miserable Injury Left Social Media Crestfallen

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Written by:

Allen James

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Allen James is a writer at EssentiallySports who covers Cycling, MotoGP, Combat sports, and other trending moments in the sports realm. With a degree in mass communication, Allen is putting his learnings to the best use in covering a wide array of viral topics. He loves diving into the conversations surrounding his work, soaking up the various perspectives out there, and then using them as inspiration in his craft. It’s this very curiosity that turns him into a bonafide sports nerd!
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Edited by:

Caroline Joseph