LEWISTON – Marc-Andre Cliche flipped the puck back to Stefan Chaput, who head-manned it to Stefano Giliati. Giliati snapped off a shot and Marc-Andre Daneau was there to stuff in the rebound.

If that sounds familiar, yet a little off, you’re absolutely right.

Not one of those hockey players is eligible to suit up for the Lewiston Maineiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season, yet all four were on the ice at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Monday, participating in coach-less drills with a handful of other players.

“Coming back is almost like a little vacation,” Giliati said. “Going home for the summer is fun, but you have to get away from that and get back into hockey mode once you get closer to the season.”

Lewiston? In August? Hockey mode?

“I’m sure the other guys feel this way, too,” Giliati said, “When I’m in Lewiston I feel like I’m in hockey mode. it puts me back on track.”

Giliati went home for a couple of days following last year’s playoff loss for Cape Breton, but was quickly summoned to Toronto. he signed a three-year deal with the Maple Leafs’ organization, and spent the rest of the regular season and the playoffs with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ affiliate.

Chaput, who whizzed around the ice in a bright red shirt, helmet and pants Monday, will likely skate this season with the Albany River Rats, the top affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, who drafted him two years ago.

Cliche was, perhaps, the most noticeable. Two years removed from his time as captain of the Lewiston Maineiacs, Cliche appeared a bit bigger and faster. He even wore – perhaps by coincidence – a purple QMJHL warmup jersey. Purple is the primary color of his parent club, the Los Angeles Kings.

Daneau was, well, Daneau. Quiet in demeanor for most of his time with Lewiston, Daneau planned to spend some time at the beach this week, too. Instead of professional hockey, Daneau will join fellow alumnus Simon Courcelles next week at McGill University in Montreal.

“I did a lot of hockey camps this summer,” Daneau said. “I thought I’d come here, visit my billets, go to the beach before school starts.”

The competition wasn’t exactly the caliber they were used to, though.

Other skaters on the ice included some current and future local college hockey players, in addition to six current Maineiacs.

“It was weird,” Daneau said. “It was weird, being here but knowing I won’t be here for the season. It’s very strange.”