Olivier Michaud aims at a fresh start
Jul 30, 2003 17:01:29 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jul 30, 2003 17:01:29 GMT -5
Tuesday July 29 2003 - (RDS) - Canadiens goalie Olivier Michaud hopes to rebound this season after a disappointing year in junior. Michaud, who played one period with the big club in 2001-02, aims for a full time job with Hamilton.
Olivier Michaud left the anonymity of junior behind two years ago when a series of injuries to Canadiens' goalies allowed him to wear a Habs jersey. After that brief incursion into the NHL, the young man took part in the WJC. Last season the fairy tale temporarily ground to a halt.
"I would say that was a low point compared to the previous year. When things go badly, you can help yourself by what you have learned from your mistakes. I am a more mature goalie who knows himself better", the young man believes.
That doesn't make it any less of a very big disappointment when he was cut from Team Canada junior.
"In my first year of midget I had been cut. I had had the disappointment of that experience before, but never as big as when I was cut from Team Canada junior. But it didn't kill me before. I couldn't see why it would kill me this time. It was a good wake-up call, and I will return stronger than ever".
"He has a lot of character. I am confident that he will rebound. He will be better", ensures the director of player development, Trevor Timmins.
Olivier Michaud wants to carry out this comeback in Hamilton, in the American League: "It's one step closer to graduation. I want just to continue to improve. I have something to prove".
"What is important for Olivier is that he play a lot of hockey. It's necessary that he play from 40 to 60 games. To make it to the NHL, he must envisage a two year process", thinks Canadiens' goalie coach Roland Melançon.
There will be competition in Hamilton, because the Canadiens put goalkeeper Jean-François Damphousse under contract.
"Damphousse will have his place in Hamilton. The rest, that depends on Michaud and Fichaud", adds Melançon.
"We are alone now in Hamilton. We control the goalie situation. It's better than last year", adds Timmins.
Oliver Michaud is a young man who has always surprised when one least expected it.
- www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/HOCKEYLNHCAN3F26F8FC.html
Olivier Michaud left the anonymity of junior behind two years ago when a series of injuries to Canadiens' goalies allowed him to wear a Habs jersey. After that brief incursion into the NHL, the young man took part in the WJC. Last season the fairy tale temporarily ground to a halt.
"I would say that was a low point compared to the previous year. When things go badly, you can help yourself by what you have learned from your mistakes. I am a more mature goalie who knows himself better", the young man believes.
That doesn't make it any less of a very big disappointment when he was cut from Team Canada junior.
"In my first year of midget I had been cut. I had had the disappointment of that experience before, but never as big as when I was cut from Team Canada junior. But it didn't kill me before. I couldn't see why it would kill me this time. It was a good wake-up call, and I will return stronger than ever".
"He has a lot of character. I am confident that he will rebound. He will be better", ensures the director of player development, Trevor Timmins.
Olivier Michaud wants to carry out this comeback in Hamilton, in the American League: "It's one step closer to graduation. I want just to continue to improve. I have something to prove".
"What is important for Olivier is that he play a lot of hockey. It's necessary that he play from 40 to 60 games. To make it to the NHL, he must envisage a two year process", thinks Canadiens' goalie coach Roland Melançon.
There will be competition in Hamilton, because the Canadiens put goalkeeper Jean-François Damphousse under contract.
"Damphousse will have his place in Hamilton. The rest, that depends on Michaud and Fichaud", adds Melançon.
"We are alone now in Hamilton. We control the goalie situation. It's better than last year", adds Timmins.
Oliver Michaud is a young man who has always surprised when one least expected it.
- www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/HOCKEYLNHCAN3F26F8FC.html
