By Levi Fraser

Briercrest College men’s hockey team captain Josh Dufresne, #3, is starting his second year leading the team. The 6-foot-one defenseman from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba is currently in his third year of college as a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies major. Josh Dufresne originally became familiar with Briercrest College through his Grade seven teacher who is a Briercrest alumnus. Even though he knew about Briercrest, he never thought that this would be the place where he would get his post-secondary education. During Dufresne’s second to last year of eligibility in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) he felt God calling him to go to Briercrest instead of competing in his last year of eligibility.

Dufresne is a dedicated student-athlete who leads by example on and off the ice, from athletics to academics. He states this when stating his goals as a student.

“To learn and take away all that I can from my classes, as well as have an impact in the Briercrest community,” he said. “I think that’s the one aspect I miss the most in the summer is the overall community of Briercrest.”

Josh hopes that he will be able to be a part of the most successful season a Briercrest Clipper hockey team has had in the ACAC. Dufresne’s strengths lie within his ability to make strong friendships. He wants to be there for his teammates, sacrificing for them, pushing them, caring for them as brothers, and giving everything he has on the ice. Dufresne feels there is something very special about the character his team has as a whole. He sees that the team is coming together well and is excited to see how God is going to use the team both on and off the ice. Josh is also excited to see the work that God is going to do in each one of the guys’ lives this year.

Josh’s favorite memory of being at Briercrest is when the Briercrest hockey team defeated the Keyano Huskies last year in the second semester.

 “our student body, and other faithful fans were cheering us on all game after what had been a very tough first semester, and overall tough season,” Dufresne explained. “Keyano scored late in the third to send it to overtime, but Kyle Golz scored the winning goal with under 10 seconds left in the game. Our fans were ridiculously loud, it was an amazing experience, the 300 or so fans that we had rivaled some of my junior hockey league experiences where there were 2,000 plus fans.”

Looking towards the future, Josh hopes to be used by God in significant ways after he leaves Briercrest. He wants to be a part of seeing people freed from the bondage of sin and death and then discipling them to live lives pleasing to God in whatever place or circumstance that may be.

Briercrest College is excited to see how God uses Josh this year as captain and in the years to come.