Post by dogcatcher on Aug 8, 2007 6:35:30 GMT -4
Sea Dogs winger joined by big brother
Together again Charlands also were teammates in Victoriaville
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday August 8th, 2007
Appeared on page B10
SAINT JOHN - Keven Charland has been following in his brother Francis' footsteps for most of his hockey career. Being two years younger meant he would end up on teams in his native Victoriaville just as his brother moved to the next level.
When Keven was drafted in the 2005 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft, it was almost a mirror image of his brother's 2003 draft experience.
Keven was selected seventh overall in 2005, his brother ninth overall in 2003, and both were drafted by their hometown Victoriaville Tigres. However, when Saint John Sea Dogs training camp opens on August 19, the tables will be turned.
This time, big brother is following little brother to New Brunswick. Keven was the first of the two brothers acquired by Sea Dogs.
Keven came to Saint John on Dec. 18, 2006 along with Kyle Kelly in a trade with Victoriaville. Alexandre Labonte and Alexandre Monahan went the other way.
Francis was acquired earlier this month from the Tigres for a sixth-round pick in the 2009 QMJHL entry draft.
"I'm very happy to play (in Saint John)," said the elder Charland. "I was happy to know I'll have a last chance to prove myself in this league and play with my brother."
Francis will fill the third 20-year-old spot on the Sea Dogs roster. The team also hopes the older Charland will follow his brother in one other area - health. Francis has missed a lot of the last three seasons due to injury whereas Keven has been relatively healthy.
As for playing alongside one another, both said they welcome the opportunity.
"In Victoriaville we played a couple of games together (on the same line), but not a lot," Keven said. "It's a little easier to play with (Francis) because I'm not shy to say certain things to him."
Keven spent most of his time with the Sea Dogs playing alongside Alexandre Leduc and Francois Gauthier.
As for what type of game the other thinks his brother brings to the rink, both had the same response.
"He's an offensive player who can score goals, has good hands and speed," said Keven of Francis.
"He's a good goal scorer, definitely an offensive player," Francis said of Keven.
In addition to scoring, the Sea Dogs will look to the older Charland for leadership, a responsibility he looks forward to.
"I've been in this league for four years and I know I can come in and help the younger guys," Francis said. "It's something I look forward to."
CAMP INVITES: The Sea Dogs have announced the 48 players they've invited to training camp. Nine New Brunswickers are on the list, including returning players Mike Thomas of New Maryland and Travis Fullerton of Riverview. Saint John area players invited include 2007 fifth-round pick Andrew Langan of Quispamsis, Michael Cormier of Quispamsis and Justin Finlay of Rothesay. Other N.B. players include Nathan Dunnett of Whitney, Luc LeBlanc of Cap Pele, Andrew Taylor of Mount Hebron and Devin Munn of Richibucto. Two players from last year's team, Kyle Kelly and Bruce Crawford, were not invited.
DONE DEAL: QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau announced Tuesday that a new four-year agreement has been reached with the league's referees and linesmen. The deal will keep the officials on the ice until the end of the 2010-11 season. Details of the new deal were not disclosed.
ONTARIO IMPORTS: The Moncton Wildcats have signed two defenceman to tryout forms. Nineteen-year-old Myle Gomes and Cody Wilson, 18, will be in Moncton for training camp beginning Aug. 12. Gomes played for the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League last season, collecting 25 points. Wilson skated with the Brantford Golden Eagles of the Midwest Junior B Hockey League, amassing 17 points.
Together again Charlands also were teammates in Victoriaville
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday August 8th, 2007
Appeared on page B10
SAINT JOHN - Keven Charland has been following in his brother Francis' footsteps for most of his hockey career. Being two years younger meant he would end up on teams in his native Victoriaville just as his brother moved to the next level.
When Keven was drafted in the 2005 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft, it was almost a mirror image of his brother's 2003 draft experience.
Keven was selected seventh overall in 2005, his brother ninth overall in 2003, and both were drafted by their hometown Victoriaville Tigres. However, when Saint John Sea Dogs training camp opens on August 19, the tables will be turned.
This time, big brother is following little brother to New Brunswick. Keven was the first of the two brothers acquired by Sea Dogs.
Keven came to Saint John on Dec. 18, 2006 along with Kyle Kelly in a trade with Victoriaville. Alexandre Labonte and Alexandre Monahan went the other way.
Francis was acquired earlier this month from the Tigres for a sixth-round pick in the 2009 QMJHL entry draft.
"I'm very happy to play (in Saint John)," said the elder Charland. "I was happy to know I'll have a last chance to prove myself in this league and play with my brother."
Francis will fill the third 20-year-old spot on the Sea Dogs roster. The team also hopes the older Charland will follow his brother in one other area - health. Francis has missed a lot of the last three seasons due to injury whereas Keven has been relatively healthy.
As for playing alongside one another, both said they welcome the opportunity.
"In Victoriaville we played a couple of games together (on the same line), but not a lot," Keven said. "It's a little easier to play with (Francis) because I'm not shy to say certain things to him."
Keven spent most of his time with the Sea Dogs playing alongside Alexandre Leduc and Francois Gauthier.
As for what type of game the other thinks his brother brings to the rink, both had the same response.
"He's an offensive player who can score goals, has good hands and speed," said Keven of Francis.
"He's a good goal scorer, definitely an offensive player," Francis said of Keven.
In addition to scoring, the Sea Dogs will look to the older Charland for leadership, a responsibility he looks forward to.
"I've been in this league for four years and I know I can come in and help the younger guys," Francis said. "It's something I look forward to."
CAMP INVITES: The Sea Dogs have announced the 48 players they've invited to training camp. Nine New Brunswickers are on the list, including returning players Mike Thomas of New Maryland and Travis Fullerton of Riverview. Saint John area players invited include 2007 fifth-round pick Andrew Langan of Quispamsis, Michael Cormier of Quispamsis and Justin Finlay of Rothesay. Other N.B. players include Nathan Dunnett of Whitney, Luc LeBlanc of Cap Pele, Andrew Taylor of Mount Hebron and Devin Munn of Richibucto. Two players from last year's team, Kyle Kelly and Bruce Crawford, were not invited.
DONE DEAL: QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau announced Tuesday that a new four-year agreement has been reached with the league's referees and linesmen. The deal will keep the officials on the ice until the end of the 2010-11 season. Details of the new deal were not disclosed.
ONTARIO IMPORTS: The Moncton Wildcats have signed two defenceman to tryout forms. Nineteen-year-old Myle Gomes and Cody Wilson, 18, will be in Moncton for training camp beginning Aug. 12. Gomes played for the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League last season, collecting 25 points. Wilson skated with the Brantford Golden Eagles of the Midwest Junior B Hockey League, amassing 17 points.