Royals Profile: Dom Rochon

Dominic Rochon (born May 18, 1974 in Ottawa) is a midfielder for the Ottawa Royals Soccer Club. Rochon began his soccer career in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, developing his passion and talent for the game with his first club team Outaouais Youth Soccer Club (1987-1989: Quebec Major League). Following his career debut, he continued to develop as a player and leader with club team Nepean United Youth (1989-1991: National Soccer League). Rochon would enhance his skills and knowledge of the game by traveling to Argentina where he was recruited by U-18 football club River Plate (1991-1992). Upon his return to Ottawa, Dom applied his newly acquired South American abilities in the Ottawa-Carleton Soccer League with club teams St. Anthony's Soccer Club (1992-1993), Gloucester Soccer Club (1993-1995, 1996-1997), Maple Leaf (1995-1996), and Ottawa Royals(1997-2000), before joining the first semi-professional CPSL soccer team in the region, the Ottawa Wizards (2000-2002). As a hard-working midfielder with the ability play under pressure, and distribute the ball with accuracy, Rochon played a key component to the Ottawa Wizards' CPSL league championships in his two seasons with the club. His success continued with club teams Kanata Soccer Club (2002-2003) and Ottawa Royals (2003-2006) leading both teams to Ontario Cup Championships and the Canadian National Championship Tournament. Team mates of Rochon attest that he is the heartbeat of any team on which he plays, often taking the leadership in the locker room to inspire them at half-time. In his seventh season with the Ottawa Royals, Rochon's tremendous work-rate and dedication will be an integral part of the club's future success.

By Steve Kowlessar