LEWISTON – The Lewiston Maineiacs drafted four 16-year-old players at this year’s Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft in June. Two left for home this week of their own volition.
Patrick Cusack, the No. 12 overall pick and the Maineiacs’ second pick in the first round after Kevin Marshall at No. 9, told the coaching staff of his decision based on personal issues. Cusack’s father is ill, and the defenseman left to be with his family.
“He played well,” Maineiacs head coach and general manager Clem Jodoin said of Cusack’s performance in camp. “He showed a lot of poise for a young defenseman.”
Center David Taylor, selected by the Maineiacs in the third round, No. 45 overall, also left the team Friday. With several players, including three forwards, headed to NHL camps in the coming weeks and with the roster far from being finalized, Taylor was still on the bubble to make the team.
“With the way things are going with the players leaving, and also with the potential for injuries, who knows what could have happened,” said Jodoin.
Cusack may well be remembered in the future as the player for whom the Maineiacs traded last year’s leading scorer, Alex Bourret. Stefano Giliati, who has been hurt for much of training camp, also came from Shawinigan in that deal. Without a second round pick, Taylor was the team’s third pick in the draft.
With two more players gone, the number of players still being considered for this year’s team is down to 32. Seven Maineiacs will attend NHL camps in early September, leaving 25 players for a week or more. The final cut is not expected until all of the players attending NHL camps return to Lewiston.
The Maineiacs open their regular-season schedule on September 23 at St. John’s, Newfoundland.
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