Voyageurs' sign on Espanola guard for 2010 season

Espanola native and Timmins Blues member Eric Ducharme will be donning the blue and gold for the Laurentian Voyageurs' men's basketball team in 2010, following an announcement Nov. 21 at the Ben Avery Gym at the university.

Ducharme's accolades include being named Most Valuable Player at Laurentian's Shoot the Rock tournament in 2008, and named to the tournament all-star team in 2009. He was also a member of the under-17 Ontario development team in 2008.

With a strong and athletic frame, the 6-4 guard will step into the three position at Laurentian and will most likely contribute immediately, according to a press release.

“Eric has a great frame and is already very strong,” said Voyageurs' head coach Shawn Swords. “He can light it up from three-point range and take it strong to the net.”

Ducharme said he liked Laurentian from the first contact he received.

“With Shawn's (Swords) knowledge and experience as a coach and player, I knew he would be a great coach to play for,” said Ducharme. “When thinking about pros and cons (about attending Laurentian), I couldn't really think of anything bad — it's close to home, I have friends and family in Sudbury, it's a small university, so people get to know you personally, the city supports the basketball team, we have awesome fans, I know most of the guys on the team and Laurentian has an amazing coaching staff.

“I believe we will become a very successful program,” he continued. “I am willing to work hard for everything and hopefully bring home a national championship one day.”

Ducharme will be a fixture in the Ben Avery Gym starting in September 2010. Meanwhile, the current Voyageurs will take a break for exams and the Christmas holidays before travelling east to play Cape Breton University in the Dalhousie tournament.