Steelers Media
Steelers captain Colby Longeau is a man of very few words, but leads by example through his work ethic and dedication to the Steelers organization.
The Burnaby native may have only worn the ‘C’ for one season, but being able to wear it with the team changing their name from Grandview to Burnaby was very special. “It means a lot, it’s a great honour. I’m a Burnaby kid, I’ve done everything in Burnaby, so it just means everything,” he shared.
It’s those same Burnaby roots that got him started with the Steelers during the 2023-24 season. “I was looking to come to the Steelers and knew an assistant coach at the time; they brought me out to some skates, and I guess the rest is history,” he said.
When asked what sticks out to him the most about his time in Steeltown, only one word needed to be used: culture. “My three years here have been the best hockey experience I’ve ever had, from the coaches to players to the staff, it’s just been phenomenal,” he claimed.
Even during a difficult season like the one the team just had, maintaining a positive culture was a top priority for the captain. “I talked a lot about the people here, the culture here, and the history of people who were the captain before me and did an unreal job, and I just wanted to fill those shoes,” he admitted.
It’s not just the Steelers who hold him in such high regard, as the PJHL also recognized Colby Longeau as the Most Sportsmanlike Player in the league this season.
The forward has played the game for nearly 18 years and admits he wouldn’t have been able to if not for his incredible family. “They basically allowed me to enjoy the sport to its fullest and not put any pressure on me; they’ve given me all the opportunities that I could ever ask for,” he shared.
Longeau’s rookie year sticks out to him the most. “My first playoff experience was a lot of fun, we got knocked out in the first round, but it was an unreal experience – my first-ever junior hockey playoffs,” he recalled.
While the team’s playoff run may also have been too short this year, Longeau went down trying, just as he had in all 116 regular-season and seven playoff games he felt privileged enough to play in.
“I feel like I was someone who always gave it my all and that’s all I could ask to be remembered for,” he concluded.
