LEWISTON – Jonathan Paiement’s locker stall hasn’t moved since last season.

After practices and after games, he is still sitting two stalls away from the back entrance of the locker room, the trademark No. 94 on his helmet still stares at people from the cubby above his head, and his sweat-soaked gear still smells terribly after a hard workout.

But at 19, Paiement is very different than he was last year at this time: He is a leader, and he knows it.

“I know now that I have good experience on defense,” said Paiement. “I know that this year we have some experience on defense all around the room, and that my job, our job, will be to teach the younger defensemen.”

And those younger defensemen – there are just two that were not on the roster last season – will have plenty to look up to. Last year, Paiement was selected to the QMJHL All-Star Team, the only Maineiacs’ player selected to the first team. His 13 goals and 52 assists in the regular season were good for 65 points, second overall among defensemen in the league, and good enough to earn him a look by the New York Rangers, who selected Paiement in the 2004 NHL entry draft.

“I remember I was watching on the Internet at home,” said Paiement. “I saw the name come up, and my phone rang right there. They called me and told me they were bringing me down to New York that week to look around.”

There, Paiement became an awe-stricken 18-year-old, one that had never been to New York.

“It was big,” said Paiement. “There were people everywhere and the arena was really nice. The buildings were so big.”

The Rangers also sent Paiement to rookie camp in Calgary in August, where he “learned a lot about (his) position.” He also met up with another local New York Rangers prospect, Lisbon’s Greg Moore.

“I met up with him out there,” said Paiement. “I had never met him, but he was nice. Everyone out there was really nice. (Moore) promised he would come and see a game here this year when we were talking, so I guess he will be here this season, at least once.”

Moore will start his junior season at the University of Maine this fall.

Paiement, meanwhile, will play another season with Lewiston, and be a useful teaching tool for the coaching staff.

“He is a veteran, a fourth-year player on defense,” said Maineiacs coach Clem Jodoin. “He has some experience in the league and he has to bring that to the team. He has to be consistent.”

It is no coincidence, either, that Paiement’s locker this year has been surrounded by rookies. To his right is Matthew Lemire, and to his left Michael Lafleur, both of whom are defensemen on the team for the first time.

“It is good, I guess for them to be there,” said Paiement. I hope it helps them out.”

Lafleur and Paiement are actually from the same town, and according to Lafleur, the chance to be sitting next to the veteran defenseman is a big chance for him.

“Since I was little, I remember having Jonathan as an idol, someone to follow behind,” said Lafleur. “Now to have him on the same team, I know I will learn a lot from him this season.”

Paiement also likes what he sees in general, noting that the team is “faster and tougher” than last year.

“We have a good team here,” said Paiement. “Everyone here wants a place on the team, and they are all focused. We will be young, for sure, younger than last year, but I think we will be better.”