Trevor Timmins is impressed
Sept 15, 2004 9:18:15 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Sept 15, 2004 9:18:15 GMT -5
Tuesday September 14 2004 - MONTREAL (CP) - Trevor Timmins pronounced himself very satisfied with what he saw of the Canadiens prospects at the rookie camp and its tournament. An opposite reaction would have been truly astonishing.
But the personnel manager of the Canadiens immediately added something more relevant when he said: "...and especially our two first round choices", referring to Andrei Kostitsyn (2003) and Kyle Chipchura (2004).
"They did very well", indicated Timmins before the final match against Toronto Tuesday evening. "They completely met our expectations."
Regarding Kostitsyn, Timmins recalled that his natural skills were already known.
"But he scored points through his work ethic", he specified. "He also showed skill in playing in traffic during physical games."
Adjustments still need to be made on the human level however: "He must adjust not only to the North-American style of play, but also to the culture and the language."
The Belarussian does not yet speak English "But he understands perhaps more than one thinks", says Timmins with a smile. "And he is not shy and introverted like Andrei Markov."
A very intelligent player
Chipchura appears to be to Timmins "A very intelligent player".
"He reads the play very well and is always well positioned with or without the puck. He also protects the puck very well in the offensive zone."
And at six feet three and more than 200 pounds, he can also be physically involved, as his 118 penalty minutes in 64 matches with Prince-Albert last season indicate.
Timmins spoke briefly about some other players, saying in particular that Jonathan Ferland was always perceived as a character player (he was the captain of the rookie tournament team), able to play well at both ends of the ice, but he must still improve his acceleration.
Timmins also singled out rude-boy Jimmy Bonneau: "He showed that he can hold his own while playing at a higher level", he said, "But he also will have to skate faster."
Loïc Lacasse, who reached 18 years of age in April, which made him the youngest goalie in the tournament, also received bon mots: "He did very well yesterday for a first game", mentioned Timmins, alluding to the 9-4 victory over Toronto on Monday. It was a big game for him and the team. And he will be number one with Baie Comeau this year."
"About Maxim Lapierre", continued Timmins, "We wanted that he would put on weight and become more solid, and that is exactly what he did." The Montréaler is now six feet two and more than 200 pounds.
Timmins also appreciated the towering defender Andrew Archer who was even more robust (6'4", 213 pounds) after having been slowed down by a shoulder injury last season, and Duncan Milroy, author of a hat Monday, put his nose more into traffic.
- www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/162687.html
But the personnel manager of the Canadiens immediately added something more relevant when he said: "...and especially our two first round choices", referring to Andrei Kostitsyn (2003) and Kyle Chipchura (2004).
"They did very well", indicated Timmins before the final match against Toronto Tuesday evening. "They completely met our expectations."
Regarding Kostitsyn, Timmins recalled that his natural skills were already known.
"But he scored points through his work ethic", he specified. "He also showed skill in playing in traffic during physical games."
Adjustments still need to be made on the human level however: "He must adjust not only to the North-American style of play, but also to the culture and the language."
The Belarussian does not yet speak English "But he understands perhaps more than one thinks", says Timmins with a smile. "And he is not shy and introverted like Andrei Markov."
A very intelligent player
Chipchura appears to be to Timmins "A very intelligent player".
"He reads the play very well and is always well positioned with or without the puck. He also protects the puck very well in the offensive zone."
And at six feet three and more than 200 pounds, he can also be physically involved, as his 118 penalty minutes in 64 matches with Prince-Albert last season indicate.
Timmins spoke briefly about some other players, saying in particular that Jonathan Ferland was always perceived as a character player (he was the captain of the rookie tournament team), able to play well at both ends of the ice, but he must still improve his acceleration.
Timmins also singled out rude-boy Jimmy Bonneau: "He showed that he can hold his own while playing at a higher level", he said, "But he also will have to skate faster."
Loïc Lacasse, who reached 18 years of age in April, which made him the youngest goalie in the tournament, also received bon mots: "He did very well yesterday for a first game", mentioned Timmins, alluding to the 9-4 victory over Toronto on Monday. It was a big game for him and the team. And he will be number one with Baie Comeau this year."
"About Maxim Lapierre", continued Timmins, "We wanted that he would put on weight and become more solid, and that is exactly what he did." The Montréaler is now six feet two and more than 200 pounds.
Timmins also appreciated the towering defender Andrew Archer who was even more robust (6'4", 213 pounds) after having been slowed down by a shoulder injury last season, and Duncan Milroy, author of a hat Monday, put his nose more into traffic.
- www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/162687.html
