Seagulls leading star René Rougeau: career may continue after all

Helsinki The experienced captain of the Seagulls René Rougeau a surprising thing comes up in the interview. Contrary to what is commonly understood, the current season is not necessarily the last of the 40-year-old player’s top career.

“It’s been a rollercoaster year. Fortunately, it’s not over yet,” says Rougeau.

He says that he holds discussions with various parties, including his family, before making big decisions about his future.

The continuation of the career would be great news for Korisliiga – and possibly for the Seagulls.

Watching Rougeau play, you can’t help but admire his comprehensive skills.

When the Seagulls were momentarily on the edge in the deciding match of the quarterfinals against KTP-Basket, Rougeau took the reins. Five successful three-point shots, quick-handed defense and a rush of rebounds helped the people from Helsinki to victory.

Three of the threes went in through the plate, which clearly ate the Eagles.

“Better to be lucky than good,” Rougeuau said immediately after the game in an interview with Ruuttu.

Before his five successful triples in the deciding game, Rougeau had thrown in a total of only four triples in six games against Kotka.

“I got the monkey off my back. I had a flashback of the series against Nokia two years ago. It was heartbreaking,” says Rougeau.

In the spring of 2024, the Seagulls lost the seventh final match against Nokia.

It is Rougeau’s only playoff series loss during his years in Finland.

The American Rougeau is playing in Finland for his seventh season. He has won five Finnish championships and one silver.

Returns do not display perhaps Rougeau’s greatest quality: leadership. The winner’s mentality also infects teammates.

The American player does not make himself a number in public, but he exudes charisma in this interview as well. He knows who he is and what it takes to win.

Rougeau scored a total of 50 (25+25) points in the last two KTP matches. The team’s advantage still always comes before one’s own statistics.

During matches, the captain often gathers his team around him for a quick consultation.

Smart guys are listening. Rougeau praises that also a teammate Kahron Ross is of great importance in leading the team on the field. The burden is lightened.

Leadership is often natural, but Rougeau also says that he has learned a lot from others during his long professional career.

“The experiences have helped in this situation. I had good captains in Mexico. I want to make the guys understand that we are doing this together.”

Rougeau won two championships in Mexico.

In the playoffs, mental toughness becomes as important as physical performance. According to Rougeau, one of the Seagulls’ strengths comes from a strong team spirit.

“If the players get along off the field, it gives them the opportunity to succeed on the field as well.”

Starting points to the season were difficult. The whole club was going to die in the summer, but the new ownership saved the situation. The team changed from a realistic championship favorite to a question mark, for which success was assessed as survival in the playoffs.

Fortunately for the people of Helsinki, Rougeau did not leave.

Now the Seagulls are playing for a place in the final match. The semi-final series against Joensuu’s Kataja Basket starts on Sunday at “Lokkie’s” home floor in Kisahalli in Töölö.

Kataja beat Karhu Basket directly 4–0 in the quarterfinals. It enters the semifinals rested. The Seagulls broke a full seven-game streak against KTP.

“I expect a tough and physical series of matches against Joensuu, just like we had against KTP. Of course, it would have been nice to have a rest [ennen välieriä]but we have to take advantage of the situation,” says Rougeau.

“It can even be a disadvantage if you haven’t played for a while.”

The Seagulls go into the semi-finals after two days of recovery. It is ten days since Kataja’s previous match when the semi-final series starts.

Here at this stage, the whole body may be strained – especially if you are already a 40-year-old player.

“I’m sure that all the players are in the same situation. It’s a privilege to be able to play at this point in the season. Some youngsters are even rougher than me,” Rougeau acknowledges.

Recovery becomes an important part in the rush of matches. You have to find ways to play one top match after another just a few days apart.

The experience increases the knowledge of one’s own body. There is also a traditional Finnish way to help.

“Fortunately, we have a sauna. We go there often,” says the Seagulls captain.

It’s probably hot on the field sometimes.

The judges have not blown their whistles as sensitively as, for example, in the regular season. Even in the match series between the Seagulls and KTP, you could play really hard at times.

Rougeau laughs sweetly when the matter comes up.

“That’s the way it should be. Now we’re playing the most important stage of the league.”