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"In my mind, there is nobody better in this city who can combine sports and education and make kids produce," Goldwin said of Charbonneau. "When he told me he was retiring, that was the first thing in my mind.
"I've known him a long time and he will push the kids to do well and succeed."
Charbonneau will meet with each player and his parents, as well as the particular education institute where they are enrolled, and oversee a program to make certain each player is meeting his goals in the classroom.
"With student-athletes, sometimes there is the perception that hockey players spend all their time playing hockey and have nothing to fall back on," said Charbonneau, who retired in June after 30 years as a teacher and principal with the Lincoln County Roman Catholic and Niagara Catholic District school boards.
"When Jim called and said he wanted some help, it fit in with my philosophy with the students I've worked with for the last 30 years."
Charbonneau is well aware how difficult it can be for a player to manage his school time properly while playing junior hockey. The 54-year-old Toronto native had a chance for a football scholarship at Simon Fraser University, but turned it down because he felt the academic portion did not meet his needs.
"While living your dream, use sport," Charbonneau said. "There is a very short window and you need something to fall back on.
"My role will be as a reality and future painter."
That means plenty of one-on-one time with the players to make sure they have a game plan when it comes to school.
"I will make sure each athlete has an agenda," Charbonneau said. "I will have them show me the games and their educational requirements. They will show me a planner so I can see when their next assignment is due and where the major pressure points are that they will need help and support with."
Charbonneau feels the more organized a student-athlete is, the better chance he has to succeed.
"In my experience, as soon as things slow down, you're not as well organized. We'll organize them and monitor their progress."
Goldwin said the Falcons have always put a high priority on education. The team requires players to go to school or work full time. They also help set up apprenticeships for players.
"If they're sitting at home all day, it's no good to us," Goldwin said. "We don't want that."
To help players financially with their academics, the Falcons held a charitable golf tournament last week at Beechwood. Seventy per cent of the money raised is used for education bursaries.
Graduating goaltender Sean Hall and graduating captain Kelsey Blinkhorn were first recipients of the fund, named after longtime board member and volunteer Jack Lennard. Lennard came up with the idea for the fund several years ago and even put up some money for it, but the account sat dormant until this year.
As well, part of the money raised from the tournament will go to youth sports in St. Catharines.
The Falcons open training camp Friday, Sept. 1, at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Complex, the new four-plex on St. Paul Street West, since Jack Gatecliff Arena is booked with a home show. The Falcons will participate in the annual Golden Horseshoe pre-season tournament Sept. 7-10 in Fort Erie. They open the regular season Sept. 14 in Thorold and play host to Stoney Creek in their home opener the following evening.
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