HIGH ACHIEVERS: Stay-At-Home Edition
Kevin Domingue had plenty of incentive to return to @uOttawa for a fifth year last fall. He wanted to finish his degree and have a hockey experience that would realize a national title. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

But when the COVID-19 pandemic was still alive and gaining momentum six months after it prevented the Gee-Gees from attending the eight-team U Sports University Cup championship last March, Domingue went another direction. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

"I wanted to bring back our team to nationals, since we didn't have the chance to play a game because of COVID," Domingue wrote in an email interview. The Gee-Gees lost the OUA final in triple OT, but qualified for nationals. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

"I had four great years of hockey there and I wanted to use that fifth year to push the limits and do more great things. I didn't want to regret to not use all my years of eligibility with the Gee-Gees." @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

Statistically, Domingue had four "great years" wearing No. 17 for the Gee-Gees. He led the team in scoring each year, compiling 71 goals and 127 points in 112 regular-season games. He notched a team-record 19 goals in 2017-18. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

When the Gee-Gees held their annual year-end awards ceremony (virtually) in April, Domingue won the Career Achievement Award, recognizing his cumulative impact and indelible mark on the history of the Gee-Gees. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

Without a fifth Gee-Gees' hockey season, Domingue turned to pro hockey. He started with a two-month stint with Tulsa in the East Coast Hockey League. "I didn't have much success there," he said. "It happens sometimes." @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

Then he got a phone call from Guillaume Doucet, the director of operations for the Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom. Doucet was familiar with Domingue and offered him a contract. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

It was a smart move for both parties. Domingue has been a significant contributor for the Panthers, who are two wins away from winning the league's best-of-three playoff championship, which runs Saturday through Monday. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

In its two-game, total-goal semifinal, Domingue scored what would be considered the game-winning goal in the Panthers 2-0 and 4-1 decisions over Coventry Blaze. Nottingham will meet Sheffield Steelers in the final. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

Domingue played all 12 regular-season games for Nottingham in its short EIHL campaign as well as its first two playoff games. He has recorded nine goals and nine assists and is a +13 with 64 shots (of 90 taken) on goal. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

Domingue was getting ready to go to bed earlier this month, when the Gee-Gees' announced on social media he had won the Career Achievement Award. He was "definitely surprised," "extremely honoured," and "a bit emotional." @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

As grateful as he was to win the award, Domingue felt his four years as a Gee-Gee was as much about his personal growth as it was about his statistical achievements. Read what he wrote in his email. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

"Personally, I don't think my greatest contribution to this hockey program is just about an all-time record I beat. It's more about something our coach Pat (Patrick Grandmaitre) told us during our first year. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

"He said he wanted us, as individuals, to leave the jersey in a better place. He wanted us to become a better person on and off the ice. And I think my greatest contribution is that I left the jersey at a better place. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

"I'm proud that I helped rebuild this program four years ago (with) 20-plus other players and great individuals. I'm proud I contributed (to) something bigger than me and this will impact me for the rest of my life. @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

"It helped me mature as a person and build phenomenal relationships and connections with great individuals for the rest of my life. So definitely, my greatest contribution is that I left the jersey in a better place." @kevdom17 @PGrandmaitre @uOttawaGeeGees @NPHockeyLive

Coming up Friday, April 30, HIGH ACHIEVERS: Stay-At-Home Edition connects with Rick Traer, who has announced his retirement as CEO of Sport Tourism Canada after 21 years. @SportTourismCA @Events_STC @rick_traer @CatherineTraer