 |
| (@dan.moody/Instagram) |
Moody spent his K-11 years at Blackville High School and then left this September for Quebec to pursue his hockey dreams.
He was a big part of the high school boys soccer team and surely has been missed in this powerhouse season.
After being drafted by the Victoriaville Tigres in the 2016 QMJHL draft, Moody continued to chase his dream of playing in the Q.
After a late trade during the training camp portion of the season, Moody was awarded a spot on the Drummondville Voltigeurs 2017-2018 roster.
On Saturday, September 30, Daniel played against the Baie Comeau Drakkar for his first regular-season win. In a thrilling game, the Voltigeurs rallied back to beat the Drakkar 8-5. Moody had a fantastic game in net and an even better start to his QMJHL career.
Daniel has played at the highest level possible for his age each year of his career.
He started with the Miramichi Junior Timberwolves in Atom AA, and then moved on to play 2 years with the Peewee AAA Miramichi Rivermen. He then played for the Bantam AAA Miramichi Riverman and Bantam Major Miramichi/Acadian Peninsula AAA team.
Moody spent the last 2 years stopping pucks for the Miramichi Midget AAA Rivermen. He never missed a beat, representing his province at the Atlantic Cup Challenge each year, participating on the U14 and U15 HNB teams.
 |
| (Daniel Moody/Facebook) |
Moody was able to take some time out of his busy day to day schedule to answer some questions about how this new part of his life is developing.
"What were your initial thoughts and feelings when you realized that you were named to the Drummondville Voltigeurs roster?"
"When I found out I was traded from Victoriaville, everything came very quickly. It was pretty unexpected and a pretty crazy day. When I arrived in Drummondville, everything was new, but I was extremely excited for the opportunity. Knowing a few players on the team made it easier to adapt to the new environment. The coaching staff was great in getting me settled in." Moody explained.
"How has it been adjusting to the new school and new team?"
"It is definitely a big change, online schooling and being on the ice every day took some time to get adjusted to, but Drummondville is a first class organization and has made the transition much easier," Moody replied.
"How have you been enjoying the billeting process?"
"My billet family is absolutely great. They are very supportive and my billet brother is also great to stay with. They make it much easier being away from home."
"How did it feel to finally get that first QMJHL win under your belt?"
"It was a pretty nice moment, something I have been working towards for a long time. The team is playing very well, and we are looking to keep it going!"
"What does it mean to you to put on the Voltigeurs jersey each game?"
"This is a very prestigious organization, putting this jersey on is something I have dreamed of for a long time. I think with the group of guys that we have now, it makes it that much more fun. Our coaching staff is top notch and the entire city seems to support the team in a great way. I really can't put into words what it is truly like."
"What kind of atmosphere do the Voltigeur fans bring to the Arena each game?"
"The fans are great. So far the rink has been nearly filled for both of our home games. You can really tell the city supports the team and its players. Even out and about in the city, there are a lot of people who are interested and care about the players."
"What is it like with your teammates outside of the rink?"
"This is a great city to play hockey in. When we are not at the rink, there are tons of things to do and places to go. It is nice to have a social life as well. It is definitely a different environment compared to Blackville, but I am really enjoying how everything is going."
"Is there anyone in particular that you would like to thank for helping you get to where you are today?"
"There are far too many people to name. Everyone has made an impact to get me to where I am today. My parents have been my number one supporters since day one and have given me the opportunity to chase my dreams. My goaltending coach Dave Kennedy along with all of the Atlantic Goaltending Academy have improved my game year after year. One of my former coaches Phillip Jardine is a big part of my success." Moody sends his gratitude to them.
Moody has high hopes for what the future has for his team and himself. He is taking it one day at a time for now. He is hopeful that some opportunities may come up but, for now, he is focused on the team's success and getting better each day.
As an athlete, Moody knows that there is always room for improvement, and he is more than ready to rise to each challenge that he will face throughout his career.
The entire Blackville community is behind Moody, extremely proud of each and every single one of his accomplishments. The community wishes the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Daniel himself the best of luck throughout this upcoming season. Moody doesn't just have an arena full of fans, he has an entire community backing him up all the way.
by Marlee Schofield and Daniel Richard