Some of the names were familiar, even if the language was not.

The only language that really mattered for Jamie Dumont, though, was hockey.

Dumont, a Lewiston native who has worn many hats for various hockey organizations in recent years, might finally have found a home – at least for a little while – thousands of miles away.

Last week, Dumont guided the Bolzano (Italy) Foxes to a national professional title, the organization’s 17th championship.

“The caliber of play here really is impressive,” Dumont said. “This team is like the Montreal Canadiens of the league out here, but this was their first title since 2000, so people here are going bananas.”

And the players? Not too shabby.

“We have some solid players in this league, especially on this team,” Dumont said. “We have some ex-NHL and AHL guys, and some of these guys will be playing for Italy in the World Championships in May.”

Jaromir Jagr, Jari Kurri, Matt Cullen and Eric Belanger are some notable NHL players who have spent time with Bolzano in the past. This year’s roster included former Portland Pirate Chris Hajt and several other skaters with ties to the AHL.

Dumont wasn’t originally supposed to have such a large role with the professional team, either.

Hired last August to help oversee the coaching staff of Bolzano’s junior team, Dumont also helped out the professional team’s staff with video coordination.

“I was kind of the eye in the sky for the pro team, behind the scenes,” Dumont said.

With the team mired in an eight-game slump, its second lengthy slump of the season through January, the team’s ownership moved Dumont into an interim head coach’s role.

“We got beat on a Thursday, 8-1, and the top guy was on thin ice,” Dumont said. “On Friday morning, I was headed to the rink to work with the junior team, and I got a call saying I needed to be there for the pro practice.”

Dumont’s presence helped the team immediately.

“We ripped off eight in a row after that,” Dumont said.

Bolzano made it through the playoffs in a system similar to European league soccer.

Teams are divided into two groups, the master round (Group A) with the top 4 teams and the relegation round (Group B) with the last 5 teams. Every team plays two matches (one each at home and on the road) against the teams of its group. In the end, the final standings determine the playoff tree. Eight teams make the playoff: the 4 teams in Group A and the best 4 teams in Group B).

Dumont’s Bolzano team navigated the playoffs and earned the Rbk Hockey Cup, sponsored by Reebok, as the league’s champion.

Dumont is expected back to Lewiston this week, though that will likely be a summer vacation of sorts.

“I’m probably going to go back to Italy next year,” Dumont said. “In what capacity, I don’t know yet. Those meetings are this week, but I definitely want to go back.”

The Dumont file

Year Team Location Title

2007-2008 Bolzano HC Bolzano Italy Elite Division Coach in Chief

2006-2007 Bowdoin College Brunswick Assistant Coach

2006-2007 Portland Junior Pirates (AJHL) Biddeford Director of Hockey Operations

2005-2006 Bowling Green Bowling Green, Ohio Assistant Coach

2001-2005 Bowdoin College Brunswick Assistant Coach

1999-2000 Wyoming Head Coach, State Select Team

1998-2000 Hobart College New York Assistant Coach

1997-1998 Oswego State University New York Assistant Coach