LEWISTON – Bent at the waist, Alexandre Picard uses his legs like pistons to power his way across the ice.

Plied from early experiences with speed skating, Picard’s style of getting from one end of a hockey rink to the other is unorthodox, even kind of funny-looking to most hockey aficionados.

But, man, does it work.

“His way of skating is not traditional, that is for sure,” said Lewiston Maineiacs coach Clem Jodoin. “But it does not matter how you skate, really, but what you do on the ice.”

Last season, Picard emerged to become the Maineiacs’ No. 1 offensive player. In 69 games during the regular season, Picard scored 39 goals and had 41 assists.

“That was my job last year,” said Picard. “I needed to put the puck in the net and help the team that way.”

His totals were good for 14th overall in the league.

“This team, we need to score,” said Jodoin. “Picard will help us do that. He is a natural goal-scorer.”

His success led scouts across the National Hockey League to take notice, and in June, the Columbus Blue Jackets selected Picard with the eighth overall pick in the entry draft, making him the first Maineiac skater to be drafted.

“My agent and I thought I was going at No. 9 to Anaheim,” said Picard. “That’s what they had told me. Nobody from Columbus had said anything to us. Still, though, it is a great situation there because they care a lot about the younger players. They are a young organization and that is good for players like me.”

This summer, Picard attended the Blue Jacket’s development camp, which will only help him this season.

“I learned a lot, just being on the ice with all of their prospects,” said Picard. “The fans there were all great, the arena was great. It is just a good situation.”

A situation, according to Picard, similar to the one that he faced last year in Lewiston.

“This is a young team, too,” said Picard. “The biggest thing about the Q is that you have to play with intensity, and a lot of the young guys on the team this year are already showing that intensity. They drive the net, they go after pucks. We are younger than last year, but I think we are better.”

As for personal goals, Picard isn’t looking at numbers.

“I know my job here is to play well, help teach the younger players and to put the puck in the net,” said Picard. “I have been through from the beginning what all of these players are going through now. There, I hope I can help a little bit.”