Post by Score on Sept 10, 2007 23:50:37 GMT -4
More expected from Rocket forwards
The Guardian
At first glance, P.E.I. Rocket forwards Maxim Cliche and Chad Locke seem to have little in common.
Cliche is from small-town Quebec, the 1,049-soul Saint-Frédéric, while Locke is from St. John’s, the bustling 100,646-person strong capital of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Look closer though and both players are in their second full season with P.E.I., both are left-wingers and both are looking for larger roles with the club as it prepares for its Quebec Major Junior Hockey League home opener Friday against Halifax. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
The 18-year-old Cliche spent the summer working on skating and learning how to use his six-foot, six-inch, 225-pound frame.
So far, it’s paid off with five goals in seven pre-season contests, quick bursts of speed and a rougher, more belligerent style, something lacking in his game last season.
“I feel a bit more comfortable on the ice. It’s my second year. When you come in this league you’ve got the learn from game to game,’’ said Cliche. “I’m trying to work on that because with the size I have I’m trying to be more aggressive.’’
Cliche was a Rocket second-round pick in 2005. Next June he’s NHL draft-eligible, but he’s not falling into the trap of big guy plus aggressiveness equals dropping the gloves.
“I don’t want to consider myself as a fighter. I want to be a hockey player and I want to be part of the team as a hockey player. I have to do my part. I have to make plays and if I have to, I have to protect some guys. And with my size I’ve got to be in front of the net and be ready for the rebound.’’
The Rocket should open the year with Phoenix Coyotes fifth-round pick Martin Latal, who will likely miss Friday’s game because he leaves for training camp Wednesday, Anaheim draftee Brett Morrison, newcomer Jan Kana and Islanders Chris Doyle and Geoff Walker as the first five forwards.
It means an open winger spot on the second line and a wide open third line.
Locke came to P.E.I. in a trade with Victoriaville in 2005. He wasn’t playing with the Tigres and spent the first half of that year with his midget AAA team in Newfoundland. Locke finished out 2005 with the Rocket and played a full slate of games in 2006.
Over the summer, Locke trained with Newfoundland natives and former Rocket’s Mark Lee (2003-04) and NHLer Ryane Clow (2002-03) as per head coach Yanick Jean’s off-season mandate.
“(I) became a lot stronger. Coach told me at the end of last year that I had to build up. I worked a lot on that. This year I’m just going to go out and work my hardest and do everything it takes to help the team win,’’ said Locke.
Now in his junior year in the Q, Lock sees the parallels between him and his teammate.
“I have a lot of experience. (I have to) help the new guys out on and off the ice. And Cliche he’s big guy too in his second year in the league. The two of us have (a lot) of similarities. We have to help each other out and help the team out.’’
Another similarity is both were part of the Game 7 loss to Acadie-Bathurst in the first round of last year’s playoffs.
Locke had a strong series, nearly putting the Rocket up two games to none but for a great save in overtime by Titan goalie Brant Miller, and scoring the third line’s lone point — a goal in the final game.
Still, the results didn’t haunt the 19-year-old in the off-season.
“There’s nothing worse than losing in a Game 7, but I think we put up a good fight. I didn’t think about it too much this summer, I just tried to come back in shape.’’
The Guardian
At first glance, P.E.I. Rocket forwards Maxim Cliche and Chad Locke seem to have little in common.
Cliche is from small-town Quebec, the 1,049-soul Saint-Frédéric, while Locke is from St. John’s, the bustling 100,646-person strong capital of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Look closer though and both players are in their second full season with P.E.I., both are left-wingers and both are looking for larger roles with the club as it prepares for its Quebec Major Junior Hockey League home opener Friday against Halifax. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
The 18-year-old Cliche spent the summer working on skating and learning how to use his six-foot, six-inch, 225-pound frame.
So far, it’s paid off with five goals in seven pre-season contests, quick bursts of speed and a rougher, more belligerent style, something lacking in his game last season.
“I feel a bit more comfortable on the ice. It’s my second year. When you come in this league you’ve got the learn from game to game,’’ said Cliche. “I’m trying to work on that because with the size I have I’m trying to be more aggressive.’’
Cliche was a Rocket second-round pick in 2005. Next June he’s NHL draft-eligible, but he’s not falling into the trap of big guy plus aggressiveness equals dropping the gloves.
“I don’t want to consider myself as a fighter. I want to be a hockey player and I want to be part of the team as a hockey player. I have to do my part. I have to make plays and if I have to, I have to protect some guys. And with my size I’ve got to be in front of the net and be ready for the rebound.’’
The Rocket should open the year with Phoenix Coyotes fifth-round pick Martin Latal, who will likely miss Friday’s game because he leaves for training camp Wednesday, Anaheim draftee Brett Morrison, newcomer Jan Kana and Islanders Chris Doyle and Geoff Walker as the first five forwards.
It means an open winger spot on the second line and a wide open third line.
Locke came to P.E.I. in a trade with Victoriaville in 2005. He wasn’t playing with the Tigres and spent the first half of that year with his midget AAA team in Newfoundland. Locke finished out 2005 with the Rocket and played a full slate of games in 2006.
Over the summer, Locke trained with Newfoundland natives and former Rocket’s Mark Lee (2003-04) and NHLer Ryane Clow (2002-03) as per head coach Yanick Jean’s off-season mandate.
“(I) became a lot stronger. Coach told me at the end of last year that I had to build up. I worked a lot on that. This year I’m just going to go out and work my hardest and do everything it takes to help the team win,’’ said Locke.
Now in his junior year in the Q, Lock sees the parallels between him and his teammate.
“I have a lot of experience. (I have to) help the new guys out on and off the ice. And Cliche he’s big guy too in his second year in the league. The two of us have (a lot) of similarities. We have to help each other out and help the team out.’’
Another similarity is both were part of the Game 7 loss to Acadie-Bathurst in the first round of last year’s playoffs.
Locke had a strong series, nearly putting the Rocket up two games to none but for a great save in overtime by Titan goalie Brant Miller, and scoring the third line’s lone point — a goal in the final game.
Still, the results didn’t haunt the 19-year-old in the off-season.
“There’s nothing worse than losing in a Game 7, but I think we put up a good fight. I didn’t think about it too much this summer, I just tried to come back in shape.’’