The last few weeks Mark Lepine has been standing up to anyone while doing everything he can to help the Golden Rockets move up in the standings in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.

The second year player came to the Golden Rockets by way of Edmonton. Even though he is from Oil Country, Lepine grew up a fan of Ray Whitney and the Pheonix Coyotes. “I went to an Oilers and Pheonix game when I was little and got a jersey there. Even since then I have been hooked,” Lepine said.

Since coming to Golden two years ago Lepine has taken the time to get to know the area he calls home during the hockey season.

“It is a great town. I really enjoy my time here. There is always something to do with the boys,” Lepine said.

Personally Lepine has been reasonably happy with his season so far but there is one area he hopes to improve as the year continues.

“I am not scoring as much as I would like but things are good,” he said

An area of his game that has picked up over the last few weeks are the number of fights Lepine has been in. The hard nosed player said he had been in four fights in his last six games but admitted he does not go out looking to scrap when he is on the ice.

“I guess people just ask me and I do not say no,” he said.

Lepine  joked that maybe the fights have increased as his Movember facial hair has thickened out. “Fear the Beard,” he said with a laugh.

As for the season so far Lepine has a great deal of confidence going forward and was excited to have the chance to play in front of his parents who were down from Edmonton to watch him play.

“It is a great team. We are all pretty tight. It is great. Plus any time you get to play in front of your parents it is a great time. Edmonton is six hours away so you have to enjoy playing in front of them.”

He went on to say that right now all he wants to do is help the team move up in the standings going forward this season.