A good draft...
Jul 31, 2005 17:09:14 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jul 31, 2005 17:09:14 GMT -5
31-07-2005
A good draft, thanks especially to Carey Price and Guillaume Latendresse
François Lemenu
Canadian Press
Ottawa
Perhaps in a few years, one will say of the Canadiens that they struck gold by claiming Guillaume Latendresse with the 45th pick. Bob Gainey concluded a transaction with the New York Rangers during the draft in order to be able to select the Drummondville Voltigeurs' RW.
A serious injury to his left shoulder in March 2004 slowed him down considerably at the beginning of this past season, which could explain his late selection. It's worth noting that a scouting publication placed him seventh, three places ahead of Carey Price, the Canadiens first choice.
Latendresse, who is six feet two inches and 220 pounds, was a revelation in the playoffs. He had also drawn attention at the prospects game in Vancouver, as well as at the U18 WC.
"He was sensational during the playoffs", exclaims Trevor Timmins.
"We were in search of a power forward. That's what we got by choosing Latendresse. He's as strong as a horse while having the hands of a scorer."
His first step leaves something to be desired, it's not very explosive. Timmins brushes aside this criticism.
"We will help him to improve his skating", he says. "He has a good centre of gravity and good balance."
And his shoulder?
"It's not a source of concern", ensures Timmins. "His opponents in the playoffs can testify to that."
The Slovak
The Canadiens third choice was Slovak forward Juraj Mikus. Last season Mikus played for Skalica (6-6-12 in 46 matches) in the Slovak championship league and for Skalica's junior team (17-18-35 in 30 games). He also represented his country in the U18 WC (1-7-8 in three games).
"He has good hockey sense, as well as playmaker qualities. He also has good size at six foot one", notes Timmins.
Center Mathieu Aubin was the fourth player claimed by the Canadiens. A native of Sorel, Aubin scored 19 goals and collected 45 points in 49 games with Lewiston (QMJHL).
"He has talent", said Timmins. "Unfortunately, he was injured, which shortened his season. But he's on the right path under the direction of Clement Jodoin. He's a young guy who loves hockey. He's a rink rat."
Timmins is very enthusiastic when he speaks about Matt D'Agostini, the Canadiens fifth choice.
"He came from nowhere, in his first year with Guelph (24-22-46 in 59 games). Very young, he was very small. But he's now six foot,and his father is six feet four. He's still growing.
"He's a young guy who has a lot of character", Timmins adds. "His work ethic is beyond reproach. He also has a very good shot. He's a scorer. He is on an upswing."
The Canadiens went to familiar turf in the seventh round when they drafted Sergeï Kostitsyn, the brother of Andreï Kostitsyn, the Canadiens first choice in 2003.
"He's a natural skater. He excels on the forecheck", says Timmins. "He isn't very large (5'11") but he's solid. He also has beautiful technical skills."
Kostitsyn, a winger, played for Gomel, in Bélarus. He scored four goals and picked up 13 points in 30 games.
Defenseman Philippe Paquet was the Canadiens last choice.
"He's a guy from Quebec who will play for Clarkson University this season", explains Timmins. "He has good size at six feet three inches. He clears the front of his net. He also reads the play very well."
All in all, Timmins is satisfied with the players drafted by the Canadiens.
"We are very happy with the first two choices. On the other hand, we would have liked to choose two other defensemen from the QMJHL. But they were not available when our turn came around."
- texte français original
A good draft, thanks especially to Carey Price and Guillaume Latendresse
François Lemenu
Canadian Press
Ottawa
Perhaps in a few years, one will say of the Canadiens that they struck gold by claiming Guillaume Latendresse with the 45th pick. Bob Gainey concluded a transaction with the New York Rangers during the draft in order to be able to select the Drummondville Voltigeurs' RW.
A serious injury to his left shoulder in March 2004 slowed him down considerably at the beginning of this past season, which could explain his late selection. It's worth noting that a scouting publication placed him seventh, three places ahead of Carey Price, the Canadiens first choice.
Latendresse, who is six feet two inches and 220 pounds, was a revelation in the playoffs. He had also drawn attention at the prospects game in Vancouver, as well as at the U18 WC.
"He was sensational during the playoffs", exclaims Trevor Timmins.
"We were in search of a power forward. That's what we got by choosing Latendresse. He's as strong as a horse while having the hands of a scorer."
His first step leaves something to be desired, it's not very explosive. Timmins brushes aside this criticism.
"We will help him to improve his skating", he says. "He has a good centre of gravity and good balance."
And his shoulder?
"It's not a source of concern", ensures Timmins. "His opponents in the playoffs can testify to that."
The Slovak
The Canadiens third choice was Slovak forward Juraj Mikus. Last season Mikus played for Skalica (6-6-12 in 46 matches) in the Slovak championship league and for Skalica's junior team (17-18-35 in 30 games). He also represented his country in the U18 WC (1-7-8 in three games).
"He has good hockey sense, as well as playmaker qualities. He also has good size at six foot one", notes Timmins.
Center Mathieu Aubin was the fourth player claimed by the Canadiens. A native of Sorel, Aubin scored 19 goals and collected 45 points in 49 games with Lewiston (QMJHL).
"He has talent", said Timmins. "Unfortunately, he was injured, which shortened his season. But he's on the right path under the direction of Clement Jodoin. He's a young guy who loves hockey. He's a rink rat."
Timmins is very enthusiastic when he speaks about Matt D'Agostini, the Canadiens fifth choice.
"He came from nowhere, in his first year with Guelph (24-22-46 in 59 games). Very young, he was very small. But he's now six foot,and his father is six feet four. He's still growing.
"He's a young guy who has a lot of character", Timmins adds. "His work ethic is beyond reproach. He also has a very good shot. He's a scorer. He is on an upswing."
The Canadiens went to familiar turf in the seventh round when they drafted Sergeï Kostitsyn, the brother of Andreï Kostitsyn, the Canadiens first choice in 2003.
"He's a natural skater. He excels on the forecheck", says Timmins. "He isn't very large (5'11") but he's solid. He also has beautiful technical skills."
Kostitsyn, a winger, played for Gomel, in Bélarus. He scored four goals and picked up 13 points in 30 games.
Defenseman Philippe Paquet was the Canadiens last choice.
"He's a guy from Quebec who will play for Clarkson University this season", explains Timmins. "He has good size at six feet three inches. He clears the front of his net. He also reads the play very well."
All in all, Timmins is satisfied with the players drafted by the Canadiens.
"We are very happy with the first two choices. On the other hand, we would have liked to choose two other defensemen from the QMJHL. But they were not available when our turn came around."
- texte français original
