The Canadiens draft Guillaume Latendresse
Jul 31, 2005 17:57:03 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jul 31, 2005 17:57:03 GMT -5
30-07-2005
The Canadiens draft Guillaume Latendresse
François Lemenu
Canadian Press
Ottawa
Guillaume Latendresse started to despair of hearing his name called out. But when the Canadiens traded up in order to acquire the New York Rangers' second round choice in return for their second and third picks, the Drummondville Voltigeur forward started to hope.
"I was disappointed a little that my name wasn't called. But my heart started to beat a little harder when I heard that the Canadiens had just traded up. For me, this is a dream come true. All young Québécois hope to one day wear the Canadiens jersey.", declared the new Habs prospect.
Latendresse had reason to be disappointed. According to one pre-draft list the native of Ste-Catherine was ranked seventh in the draft, three places in front of Carey Price, the Canadiens first choice.
Shoulder injury
Latendresse surely wanted to have a better season in his draft year. In 65 games, he scored 29 goals and collected 78 points.
"I suffered a dislocation and fracture of my left shoulder in March 2004. I was operated on in July and I could not train as I would have liked. I gained weight and I began the (2004-2005) season very slowly. It was only towards Christmas that things started to come together", explained Latendresse, who's stock had fallen at the time of the prospects game in Vancouver in November.
Latendresse, who measures six feet two inches and 220 pounds, is the defintion of a power forward.
"I play a physical style", he says. "I also play at both ends of the rink. I am able to finish a play, either while shooting, or passing."
Latendresse, a right winger who shoots left, looks forward to preparing seriously for the Canadiens rookie camp in Ottawa, then that of the parent club in September. Then he will join the Voltigeurs who should have a good team in 2005-2006.
"Being chosen by the Canadiens will give me confidence", he says. "I'm happy to be the first skater claimed by Montreal."
GM Bob Gainey seemed very satisfied with the selection of Latendresse.
"We used three choices to obtain two players. But we are very satisfied with the quality of these players", noted Gainey. "Latendresse is a big and powerful player. He will have to improve his first step, but that is something which we can take care of."
- extrait de ce texte français original
The Canadiens draft Guillaume Latendresse
François Lemenu
Canadian Press
Ottawa
Guillaume Latendresse started to despair of hearing his name called out. But when the Canadiens traded up in order to acquire the New York Rangers' second round choice in return for their second and third picks, the Drummondville Voltigeur forward started to hope.
"I was disappointed a little that my name wasn't called. But my heart started to beat a little harder when I heard that the Canadiens had just traded up. For me, this is a dream come true. All young Québécois hope to one day wear the Canadiens jersey.", declared the new Habs prospect.
Latendresse had reason to be disappointed. According to one pre-draft list the native of Ste-Catherine was ranked seventh in the draft, three places in front of Carey Price, the Canadiens first choice.
Shoulder injury
Latendresse surely wanted to have a better season in his draft year. In 65 games, he scored 29 goals and collected 78 points.
"I suffered a dislocation and fracture of my left shoulder in March 2004. I was operated on in July and I could not train as I would have liked. I gained weight and I began the (2004-2005) season very slowly. It was only towards Christmas that things started to come together", explained Latendresse, who's stock had fallen at the time of the prospects game in Vancouver in November.
Latendresse, who measures six feet two inches and 220 pounds, is the defintion of a power forward.
"I play a physical style", he says. "I also play at both ends of the rink. I am able to finish a play, either while shooting, or passing."
Latendresse, a right winger who shoots left, looks forward to preparing seriously for the Canadiens rookie camp in Ottawa, then that of the parent club in September. Then he will join the Voltigeurs who should have a good team in 2005-2006.
"Being chosen by the Canadiens will give me confidence", he says. "I'm happy to be the first skater claimed by Montreal."
GM Bob Gainey seemed very satisfied with the selection of Latendresse.
"We used three choices to obtain two players. But we are very satisfied with the quality of these players", noted Gainey. "Latendresse is a big and powerful player. He will have to improve his first step, but that is something which we can take care of."
- extrait de ce texte français original
