Corridor Cross Checks: Jules is a jewel for the Iowa Heartlanders

CORALVILLE - The rinks are smaller, the play more physical. There are a lot more games.

There’s somewhat of an initial language barrier, obviously. The culture is different, the food different.

Everything.

It’s an adjustment to come over from Europe to play hockey in North America. Then try and do it at the professional level.

“I want to improve my hockey,” Jules Boscq said. “I want to progress my game, and I think this is the best place to do that.”

“This” is the ECHL, specifically the Iowa Heartlanders. That’s who Boscq plays for, his first full season after deciding to leave his native France.

The 22-year-old defenseman from Bordeaux, France, scored his first two goals Sunday in Iowa’s 3-2 overtime loss to Bloomington. They both came on blistering slap shots from the left point, the second one tying the game in the final minute of regulation.

“He’s special,” Heartlanders Coach Derek Damon said. “The first time I laid eyes on him, I knew right away that he was a player ... Then to sit out last year under unfortunate circumstances but be able to come back in the shape he is in (is something). He’s playing really well. I am just excited and happy for him. He’s special, and I’m glad he’s on our team.”

Damon contacted Boscq’s agent last summer about making this jump. He played four games for the Heartlanders before being suspended by the International Ice Hockey Federation over a failed performance-enhancing drug test from when he played professionally in 2021.

Appeals of the suspension lasted about two years. Boscq said he had taken nasal decongestant drops trying to help get over a cold, admitting his mistake for not reading the ingredients in the drops, which contained a banned sustance.

That’s all in the past now, and it’s full bore continuing his adjustment to hockey and life in the United States.

“I am really close with my family, so it’s tough,” Boscq said. “But I talk to them every day on the phone, and that’s good. I enjoy that a lot. My girlfriend is here, too, so that’s good.”

What’s not quite as good is missing his favorite French food.

“The cooking and the grocery shopping,” he said. “We don’t have the same things here, so it’s a little bit harder. But it’s fine. I miss Blanquette de Veau (a veal stew) the most. It’s a typical French food. And French baguettes, too, for sure.”

“This kid is built differently,” Damon said. “I think there are a lot of positives with him, and the sky is the limit, to be honest with you. The one thing about him is he’s fearless. And to have that mentality is something that will help him over here.”

The Heartlanders play three times this week against Bloomington to conclude a six-game stretch of games against the Bison. It’s Wednesday in Illinois, Saturday night at Xtream Arena (6:05 p.m.) and Sunday afternoon (3:05).

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

It was a good weekend for the RoughRiders, as they picked up three of four possible standings points. They are 6-10-1-1 overall for 14 points, tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference.

Cedar Rapids lost a Friday night tilt at home against Dubuque in overtime, 4-3, as Lucas Van Vliet scored with just 35 seconds remaining in the three-on-three extra session. The RoughRiders rallied from a 2-0 hole in the second period with goals by Heath Nelson and Cayden Casey.

Dubuque went ahead midway in the third, but defenseman Guerin Slezak tied it just 45 seconds later with his first USHL goal (in 67 games over two seasons).

The RoughRiders then beat Chicago at home the following night, 4-3. They ran out to a 3-0 lead after one period on goals by Jason Musa, Hans-Martin Ulvebne and Casey.

Chicago rallied within 3-2, but Casey struck again midway through the third period for what turned out to be the game-winning goal. A.J. Reyelts played both games for C.R. in the net.

The RoughRiders announced last weekend that they have picked up goaltender Drew Rustlie from the Austin Bruins of the lower-level North American Hockey League. It is believed goalie Rudy Guimond will leave the team and play major junior hockey in his native Canada, though there has been no official announcement.

Forward Haeden Ellis left the RoughRIders recently to go to the Kitchener Rangers of the major junior Ontario Hockey League. He had two goals and an assist in 12 games for C.R.

The RoughRiders have their annual home-and-home Thanksgiving week series with Waterloo upcoming. The teams play Thanksgiving night at Waterloo, with a return game Saturday night at ImOn Ice Arena.

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