The Adelaide Adrenaline, proudly presented by Hards Transport, are excited to announce that Canadian defenceman Casey Babineau has committed to the Adrenaline for the 2017 season.

The 182cm native of Truro, Nova Scotia has previously represented the Rimouski Oceanic in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he skated for four seasons. These seasons included a run to the QMJHL Presidents Cup Final in 2012, where the Oceanic fell short against a Saint John Sea Dogs team featuring Florida Panthers NHL superstar Jonathan Huberdeau and future NHL first-round draft picks Nathan Beaulieu (Montreal) and Charlie Coyle, now of the Minnesota Wild. Babineau was named captain of the Oceanic the following season, leading the team to a 41-18-3-6 record, and a four-seed in the playoffs, where Rimouski fell to Gatineau in six games.

Babineau, went on to play four years at the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers from 2013 to 2017, making playoff appearances in three of those seasons.

The smooth skating Canadian earned a reputation as a reliable stay-at-home defenseman, dressing for all but one game during his four years with the UPEI Panthers. His coach at UPEI, Forbes Macpherson, hailed Babineau’s competitiveness.

“He’s a very intelligent defenceman, who competes hard, and has a very high pain threshold. He’s just one of those guys who, knock on wood, you can count on every single night, every single week.”

Macpherson also praised the former Panthers’ ability to move the puck up ice.

“He passes the puck very well. He’s a very heady player. There are probably a handful of players in the league that can escape a forecheck like him and actually have a zone exit as smooth as him.”

The dependable blueliner will add to the UPEI flavour at the Adrenaline, having played three seasons with the Panthers alongside fellow import, Cole MacMillan. Babineau says their relationship was a key factor in signing with the Adrenaline, as well as the addition of fellow Canadian, Cameron Critchlow.

“With Cole already with the Adrenaline, I had a lot of information I trusted and could use. I know from his experience that he had a lot of fun and he sold me on the idea of playing in Adelaide. Also, being able to come in at the same time as Cameron, who I know from playing against him in the last eight years really takes the anxiety away from being new and adjusting”. Babineau expects to contribute offensively from the blue-line, while possessing the ability to adapt to a multitude of playing styles.

“I am known to be more of a defence-first player, but at the same time with my skating ability, I can jump into the play and contribute offensively as well. I also consider myself as a detail oriented player that is very coachable and adaptable to a variety of on-ice playing styles, which has always related into a smooth transition across multiple leagues throughout my playing career.”

The 25-year-old also expects to add leadership experience to the group through his actions on the ice.

“I’m not a person that will say a lot all of the time, but I believe that being able to carry your own weight is more important. Being a team first player I feel that I can demonstrate leadership through the type of style I play, my competitiveness and desire to win.”

While no doubt looking forward to seeing Australia, Babineau says that his primary focus is helping the Adrenaline achieve success on the ice in 2017.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the league, and the growth of it. Overall, I think it will be an awesome experience to see how hockey is there, and a chance to see the place.”

Babineau will arrive in time for the Adrenalines’ home opener against the Newcastle North Stars on April 22. Tickets for this game are still available, but selling very fast.

Tickets: www.trybooking.com/OCDJ