Jean Berthaudin has been a very well-travelled man over the last several years while living out his dream of playing between the pipes at the highest level possible.
After a 14-game tenure with the Parkland U15 Rangers in the 2017-18 season, the star from Ste. Rose then moved to Banff to join their varsity academy team. From 2018 to 2020, Jean played 23 games with Banff Hockey Academy before moving to Kelowna to join the Rink Hockey Academy U17 Prep team.
Playing in five games with that team, Jean made the biggest move of his life in time for the 2021-22 season as he moved to Lakewood, California.
More than 3100 kilometres away from home and a 30-hour drive, Berthaudin joined the Long Beach Shredders of the United States Premier Hockey League (USHPL) and he played in the Premier Division in the 2021-22 season, amassing 18 starts.
After just one season with Long Beach, Jean packed up his bags and made the 40-hour move to Chesapeake, Virginia, as he joined Hampton Roads Whalers of the USPHL Elite division.
Jean played just eight games with the Whalers last year, winning two of them while recording a .911 save percentage.
The Ste. Rose goalie knew that he had more in him and as he returned to Hampton this season, Berthaudin was in a class of his own. His belief in himself turned this season into one to remember.
Starting 24 games for the Whalers this year, Jean had an incredible 1.74 goals-against average with a .948 save percentage. Jean also led the Elite Division with an eye-opening eight shutouts which were three more than any other goalie.
"A lot of my success came from coaching and my teammates," said Berthaudin. "We had a great group of guys that were all playing for one common cause."
As the season has now come to an end and Jean is back home in the Parkland, there was one more piece of hardware that he was awarded to end his junior career. It went to a fan's vote and after it all, Berthaudin was named the fan's choice goaltender of the year.
On top of this, Jean was also named to the Southeast Division's All-Star team.
"It's completely crazy to know that I went from playing just eight games last year to this, it feels incredible," offered Berthaudin. "Being a part of the Whalers for the past two seasons was awesome, I made so many lifelong friends and so many amazing memories that I will have for the rest of my life."
Jean plans on heading to Winnipeg throughout the summer months to train at Rink Hockey Academy and he will also be spending plenty of time in the gym. This all will prepare him for his next move which will see Jean move to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
After a campus visit, Berthaudin announced his commitment to join the Aquinas College men's hockey team. Playing in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 1 ranks, Berthaudin was in awe when he visited campus and he felt there was no better place to call home for the next few years of his life.
"It was probably one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen," said Berthaudin. "The people were also amazing, it's going to be a great place to be."
Jean is also very proud to say that he will soon be a college hockey player.
"It's amazing, this is something that I have been working towards for a while now," ended Berthaudin. "I am so excited about this newest opportunity."
