LEWISTON – The already lengthy resume of two of the Lewiston Maineiacs’ best young players will get a bit longer this week.
Forward Stefan Chaput and goaltender Jonathan Bernier will both suit up this week for Team Canada at the Under-18 Junior World Cup in Breclav, Czech Republic and Piestany, Slovakia. Hockey Canada held a week-long development camp in Kitchener, Ontario in early August, where 40 aspiring athletes attempted to crack the roster, which is trimmed to 22 players for the tournament.
“We are extremely pleased at the level of intensity these young men showed during this past week,” said Director of Player Personnel for Hockey Canada Blair Mackasey. “The group of players selected today have showed the skill and determination necessary to succeed at the international level.”
Canada is trying to win its ninth gold medal in the 10 years since the August event began. The Junior World Cup in 2003 was the only year in which Canada failed to medal. Canada finished fourth.
In all, five of the 22 players selected this year are from the QMJHL (Andrew Bodnarchuk of Halifax, Brad Marchand of Moncton and James Sheppard of Cape Breton join Chaput and Bernier), six are from the Ontario Hockey League and 10 represent the Western Hockey League. There is one player currently playing at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Minnesota.
Paper doesn’t skate
The Maineiacs might have one of the best defensive corps in the league this season, with five veterans, including two 20-year-olds, anchoring a contingent of newcomers.
Things change a lot if those two 20-year-olds, Jonathan Paiement and Brandon Roach, suddenly disappear into the folds of the professional ranks.
“You look on paper, and this team has good defense, there is no question,” said Jodoin. “When camp is done, it might be different.”
The Maineiacs drafted two defensemen who may or may not be ready to step immediately onto the ice this season in Patrick Cusack and Kevin Marshall. There is also the question of 19-year-old Alex Sousa. All indications are that he will report to camp, but Jodoin was not able to confirm whether or not the defenseman will stay for the whole camp or opt out after two days to preserve his NCAA eligibility.
And then there is 18-year-old Francis Gagnon, a defenseman the Maineiacs received in a draft-day deal with Gatineau.
“We hope to see some surprises at camp,” said Jodoin. “We have 57 players coming to camp right now, and we can protect 55 after camp is over. From the list we have now we can add some names, scratch some names and hopefully we will have some good surprises. We like those at camp.”
Experienced youth
Despite the loss of Alex Bourret (he was traded to Shawinigan at the QMJHL Entry Draft), Alexandre Picard and Jaroslav Halak, Jodoin feels that, thanks to his ability to dress and play a large number of younger players last season, this year’s team will be better, despite its youth.
“When you look at it, we now have a strong nucleus of players that have been drafted,” said Jodoin. “We also have four 17s that played regularly last year. We have some players that we can relay on.”
Four members of the 2005-06 Maineiacs roster were drafted by NHL team’s last week: Forwards Mathieu Aubin Marc-Andre Cliche and Olivier Legault and defenseman Chad Denny. The four players that played full-time at 16 last season are goaltender Jonathan Bernier, defenseman Sebastien Piche and forwards Stefan Chaput and Pierre-Luc Champagne.
Welcome to Lewiston
While some of the Maineiacs will begin filtering into town by the end of this week, the first time all of the players are required to be together is Tuesday, Aug. 16. That day will also afford local fans their first opportunity to meet potential team members.
According to club officials, all of the players attending camp will be introduced to fans, and, following brief comments from the staff, the fans will be allowed to mingle with players. The festivities are expected to start at 7 p.m.
The players will hit the ice Wednesday morning, with the goaltenders starting at 8 a.m. The first intrasquad game will be Wednesday at 7 p.m.
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