Colby Gilbert is a normal, healthy, 18-year-old high school graduate.

Sitting face-to-face with him, though, there is something about him that makes you think twice about everything you used to know about him.

In the Edward Little locker room, for instance, there was always an air of haughtiness about him, like he knew he was better than 99 percent of the players around him. Heck, he even dared to wear “99” on his jersey.

Honestly, though, if Kyle Smith hadn’t been on his team last season, Gilbert would have been better than 100 percent of those around him. That is not to say those other players were bad, nor does it say that they were any less special or liked, but let’s face it: he was that good in Maine high school hockey.

“It’s hard to say this, but it was Maine high school hockey,” he said. “Anyone in my position in high school would have been a little on the cocky side, I think. You almost have to have that confidence as a senior, to be able to show the way to the younger guys, to the rookies. I don’t think I was ever overconfident, though.”

That matters little now.

Instead, the same Colby Gilbert sits with his eyes glassed over. He fidgets, looks around at the parked cars and plays with his well-worn cell phone antenna. He smiles and laughs when something is funny, and gets confused like he always did. His brash demeanor, however, has been replaced by a humility usually reserved for the players that know they are going to sit the bench or hand out water bottles.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has a way of doing that to rookies. Gilbert is officially a rookie since making the cut for the Lewiston Maineiacs, at least until they re-evaluate things at Christmas.

The Maineiacs training camp was not easy for the former star, who has admittedly been reduced to the small fish in the pond.

The biggest thing Gilbert may find different about his inclusion among the elite is an increase in scrutiny. Those fans that used to marvel in awe at his antics will now become his biggest critics.

On the Maineiacs’ own chat board, for instance, one fan noted that “(they) do not think he should be on this team.”

“The calibur (sic) is different,” the post continued. “If he makes the team, it would probably be for attendance purposes.”

Gilbert is not allowed by team rules to respond to posts on the board, but he certainly can see it, and as a human being, he can also react.

“From the moment training camp started, I could feel as though all eyes were on me,” said Gilbert. “Every mistake I make, people see it and want to criticize it. I can’t let myself worry about that. Some people believe in me, and some don’t, and that’s how the game is. That’s how life is.”

An answer well beyond his 18 years.

The only answer to any criticism, or praise for that matter, will come on the ice when he gets a chance to wear the black, blue and orange at the Colisee.

“The best I can do is to go out there and prove it,” said Gilbert. “I am so anxious to get out there on the ice, to play in an actual game.”

As for using him as a public relations stunt? Forget it. Clem Jodoin has too much knowledge of the game to waste a roster spot on someone he doesn’t truly believe can make an impact. Besides, Gilbert’s fans are most likely already ardent Maineiacs fans with either a flex pack or a season ticket in their hands.

Colby has worked hard this summer. He has worked hard in training camp and is working hard during the preseason. He may end up being a flop, or he may succeed, but Maineiacs nation owes him at least the chance to prove himself one way or another.

After all, he is still just a normal, healthy, 18-year-old high school graduate.