Alexandre Picard’s 21 goals are more than any player in the QMJHL except phenom Sidney Crosby.
LEWISTON – The pass off the stick of Vladislav Balaz was long, hard and accurate, hitting Alexandre Picard’s stick while the speedy winger was in full stride through the neutral zone.
Picard breezed by the defensemen and broke in alone on net. Two quick moves later, he deposited the puck into a seemingly empty net for a goal.
“That was a finishing move,” said Lewiston Maineiacs coach Mario Durocher. “Finishing is something he has started to work on this year, now that he is a year older and more mature. It is easier the longer you play in this league.”
The goal was Picard’s 20th of the season, scored Saturday night as the Maineiacs went on to defeat the Chicoutimi Sagueneens 5-3. Picard added another later in that game, his 21st.
“The difference this year over last year is the finish,” said Picard in his broken but improving English. “Last year I had chances but could not finish. This year, I know I have a responsibility on the team, and I have to be able to finish.”
His 21 goals in 27 games are a good start. As of Sunday night, Picard’s total was good for second in the league, behind only phenom Sidney Crosby. Overall, Picard is tied for ninth in the league with 35 points, the only Maineiacs player in the top 15. Gabriel Balasescu is tied for 16th with 29 points.
Bulking up
Through his early years of hockey, Picard was never a svelte skater. In fact, until two years ago, according to Durocher, Picard was chubby.
“He was never in great shape before he came to this league,” said Durocher. “He was a bit bigger, but we helped him work on that.”
Last season, Picard scored 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points, and he was a step slower, even after a full year in the QMJHL.
“He really showed he was dedicated this year and he came back in excellent shape,” said Durocher. “He is a good veteran leader on a team that needs that at forward.”
Selfish or solid?
A few times this season, crowds at the Central Maine Civic Center have moaned when Picard has led a play into a zone without the puck, drawing an offsides call. Other times, Picard has kept the puck rather than throwing a pass to the lead skater, again forcing an offsides call.
Those instances, according to Durocher, are rare enough that although they pose an immediate problem, are quickly forgotten.
“He does so much for us on the attack, it’s hard to get mad at him for wanting to do more,” said Durocher. “He is a playmaker for this team, and he knows that.”
As for Picard, all he wants is to make a difference.
“I want to help the team win games,” said Picard. “The first thing on my mind is that the team needs to win games. I try to help them do that.”
The next level
It would seem that Picard is well on his way to playing in the NHL, even though he is undrafted.
“I have talked to people,” said Picard. “I have talked to them about going to play in the NHL, and I am told that I am in good shape, so now all I worry about is to play hockey.”
“He will be high on people’s lists if he keeps doing what he is doing now,” agreed Durocher. “He is playing well, and the way he is playing, with intensity, he would fit in well in the NHL, I think.”
For now, Picard is leading the Maineiacs in their quest to win the Eastern Division title. Currently, the team sits at 22 points, one back of Quebec for third, five behind Baie-Comeau for second and 15 points back of Rimouski for first.
“Having veterans on the team like Picard always helps you out,” said Durocher. “Our goal is to make the playoffs, and he will help us get there.”
Comments are no longer available on this story