Ask a player - Perth Thunder Ben Breault

3 seasons ago, the Perth Thunder secured the services of import forward Ben Breault. The 30 year old Ontario native arrived Down Under with a wealth of international hockey experience, having played 5 seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League before 3 years of College hockey whilst studying business. Breault made the leap across the Atlantic, playing in France, Poland and Belarus, also getting the chance to travel to many other countries around Europe. In 2006, Breault was picked up in Round 7 of the NHL Entry Level Draft at pick #207 by the Buffalo Sabres.

In 2015, the sunny shores of Western Australia beckoned. “I was originally just looking for a place where I could keep playing hockey during the off-season,” Breault said. However, the allure of the Perth lifestyle and the fact that Breault found love in Australia has meant that he will be calling it home on a more permanent basis. “I fell in love with the country (and obviously my current partner), so I decided to move permanently to Perth” he said. “The proximity to the beach and the weather would have to be my favourite things about the city” he said.

Like many Canadian natives, ice runs in Breault’s blood and hockey came calling at a young age. “I started playing at the age of three years old when I was living in Germany” Breault said. “Luckily, my father was working at the arena which was located on the Canadian Military base so I could hop on the ice pretty much whenever I wanted” he continued.

Photo: Rhys Lavender.

Hailing from the city of Pembroke, Ontario, Breault spent the majority of his life in Montreal, Quebec and has fond memories of hockey from his younger years. He recalls playing against some now high profile names in junior leagues and tournaments back home. “Playing AAA summer hockey as a kid with and against some really high-level players would be my fondest memory” Breault said. “Most notably, I played a tournament in Toronto with Patrick Kane” he continued.

With thoughts of home providing great memories for Breault, he identified one aspect of Canadian culture that he truly misses. “I certainly miss our fast food dish Poutine” he said.

Off the ice, Breault has embraced the Perth lifestyle and hockey community. Working part-time with the Perth Thunder’s naming sponsor C.D Dodd scrap metal recyclers, Breault is also studying to become a certified Personal Trainer. He has also become a well recognised and respected face in local hockey programs, coordinating the Strength and Conditioning program for the Bantam State Team and launching the first Perth Thunder Ice Hockey Academy. “I’ve been pretty busy lately” he said.

Breault enjoys the high level skill of the AIHL and has come up against some tough players across the league so far. This season he identified Adelaide Adrenaline goaltender Sebastian Andersson as one of the toughest competitors to line up against. “We absolutely peppered him when they came to Perth, yet he still managed to keep them in the game” Breault said.
 

Photo: Rhys Lavender.

Breault is currently playing in his third season with the Perth Thunder and has experienced some great moments in his time in the Australian Ice Hockey League. He has featured in several of the AIHL All-Star Weekends as well as gaining the title of the league’s top point scorer in 2017. Breault has thoroughly enjoyed his time so far as part of the Thunder organisation. “I have now been playing with the Perth Thunder for 3 seasons and looking forward to many more” he said.

For Breault, he is well tuned to hockey culture and enjoys all the game has to offer. From a professional perspective, he said that “it is hard to go past Conor McDavid” when identifying a favourite player to watch. “He is so fast and skilled and very entertaining to watch” he said.

As for hockey slang, a favourite term would have to be “Cheddar”. Be watching for the remainder of the season as I’m sure we’ll see plenty more top cheese goals from the Ontario boy who now calls Australia home.

Catch Ben and the Thunder when they play next, grab your tickets here.