What began as a weekend trip with minimal expectations has evolved into a remarkable five-year hockey odyssey for Windsor native Sebastien Gervais with the Saginaw Spirit.
From unlikely draft pick to immediate impact
Selected as an unheralded 12th-round pick, 224th overall, by the Saginaw Spirit, Gervais arrived at his first training camp anticipating a short stay. Instead, the then-16-year-old made such an immediate impression that coaches approached him within days with a life-changing opportunity.
"Day 2 or Day 3 of training camp, coach Chris Lazary came up and said, 'Wouldn't it be cool to see a 16-year-old play here,'" recalled Gervais, now 20. "I think I said, 'Anyone would dream of that' and later that day they signed me."
The border crossing that almost ended the dream
The journey nearly ended before it began due to COVID-19 restrictions. As a former captain of the Windsor Jr. Spitfires who had previously tried out unsuccessfully for Leamington and Chatham teams, Gervais faced significant obstacles just reaching camp.
"I came to Saginaw's camp with no expectations, but because of COVID, I couldn't make it through the Windsor border," Gervais explained.
After contacting Spirit GM Dave Drinkill, Gervais and his father Andre nearly abandoned the attempt entirely. The team had arranged for all families to cross at Sarnia, but the Gervais family was in Windsor.
"I was a 12th-rounder and they don't usually make the team," Gervais noted. "My dad didn't want to drive to Sarnia to be turned around."
Fortunately, persistence paid off. They reached Sarnia, crossed without issue, and Gervais's performance at camp secured his spot on the team.
Perfect timing and lasting legacy
Spirit GM Dave Drinkill emphasizes how timing proved crucial in Gervais's opportunity. "We were going through kind of a rebuild and had spots open," Drinkill explained. "Who knows what would have happened if he didn't try to get there. Would he have ever made our team?"
Now in his overage season, Gervais has become a mainstay for the Spirit, contributing to their 2024 Memorial Cup victory. While never a high-scoring player—his major bantam season saw just eight goals and 19 points in 32 games, followed by a pandemic-cancelled minor midget season—his value extends beyond statistics.
The discovery of Gervais traces back to Spirit assistant general manager Brian Prout, a University of Windsor graduate and cousin of former Spirit and NHL defenceman Dalton Prout. Prout, who also shares Jr. Spitfires alumni status, recommended drafting Gervais, setting in motion this unlikely five-year journey that transformed a weekend trip into a professional hockey career.
