On May 28 of this year, the Montreal Canadiens announced that they would become the affiliates for the ECHL’s Brampton Beast, along with the St. John’s Ice Caps becoming the Beast’s AHL affiliate. The Beast were without a major league affiliate in their two years of operations, so entering the 2015-16 season with the Habs seems like the right deal for a team who was looking for the right partner. While there isn’t any Canadiens prospects currently playing in Brampton, it only seemed right that fans should get to know what type of athletes the Habs are being associated with, which is why we at Rabid Habs contacted number 77, Stephon Thorne.

Thorne will be suiting up for his second season with the Beast in October. The left-winger from Mississauga, Ontario picked up eight goals, 13 points, and 123 penalty minutes for Brampton during the 2014-15 regular season. He also started out his professional career with the CHL’s Fort Wayne Komets, where he grabbed 11 goals, 21 assists, and 90 penalty minutes, as well as seeing his team win the Ray Miron President’s Cup in the same year. Overall, when it comes to generating offense as well as protecting his teammates (he lead the team with 13 fighting majors in 61 games), Thorne is the guy that any Habs fan would be proud to see skating at the Bell Centre, which is more of a reason to get to know him.

JS: Was hockey a sport you always wanted to play growing up?

ST: Hockey was one of two sports I always wanted to play growing up. The other one is soccer because my dad played.

JS: Did you always know you were going to end up making a career out of the sport?

ST: I didn’t know if I was going to end up playing hockey as a career but I did know that I wanted to be a part of sports in any shape or form either being an equipment guy or [doing] physio.

JS: When did you start playing hockey?

ST: Started a year later than most, but around 6-7 I started.

JS: Was there anyone in particular who inspired you to play (NHL players or even family)?

ST: A player or person that leaned me towards loving hockey would probably go to Paul Coffey. He played defense but could score with the best of them, and my grandfather made sure that I enjoyed what I was doing and doing it cause I liked to, not because everyone else did it.

JS: During the off-season (besides training), are there any other activities you do to keep yourself in shape? Perhaps even playing hockey off the ice?

ST: I bike ride a lot and play in a men’s league with my brother and best buddy to keep me in shape.

JS: You had an excellent 2014-15 regular season with the Brampton Beast. Is there anything in particular that you would have changed about that season?

ST: There’s a lot I would change about last year for myself. Just being consistent with my play on road trips, playing more offensively with the puck, creating chances which will add more to my game than just being an energy guy.

JS: With the Beast being affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens, are the Habs on your top list of teams you’d like to play for in the NHL? Do you have any other teams in mind as well?

ST: Playing for the Montreal Canadiens would be great. They’re going to be at our games a lot watching prospects, all you can do is work as hard as you can and if someone thinks you’ve got something they’ll notice, doesn’t matter affiliate or not.

JS: What was your most memorable moment during this past season?

ST: First game back in Brampton after playing my OHL career there.

JS: Do you have any pre-game rituals/superstitions and what motivates you to work hard on the ice?

ST: I just try to keep a clear head, staying calm. I always put my gear on right to left. I don’t know if that helps me play better but it keeps my mind right.

JS: The 2015-16 regular season is only a few months away. What do you hope for during that season for both yourself and for the team?

ST: From the team point of view, good team success and everyone contributing to the end goal which is a championship and for myself, to open some people’s eyes with the strives I have made over my career.

Follow Jessica-Lyn on Twitter: @EarlxGreat