Post by dogcatcher on Aug 28, 2007 5:51:23 GMT -4
This isn't the last you've heard from Langan
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday August 28th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
Being cut has never been part of the equation for Andrew Langan.
This guy has never even been cut shaving.
Hockey, soccer, lacrosse ... you name it, the youngster can play it and play it well.
Never a fringe player, always a star, Langan has never had to deal with rejection as far as sports go.
That all changed Sunday morning at Harbour Station when he received the dreaded news.
His dream of playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the hometown Saint John Sea Dogs would have to be put on hold.
The axe fell and it was Langan's head on the chopping block.
The smooth-skating, talented forward held his own during intra-squad games but wasn't dominating. That's really what he had to do to crack a lineup loaded with returning players and easily the most impressive collection of talent in the team's three-year history.
Many thought he and fellow Quispamsis resident Michael Cormier might be in the lineup for Saturday's exhibition game against Moncton but that wasn't the case.
Sitting high up in the bleachers at Harbour Station, watching the pre-season tilt, Langan caught a glimpse of the writing on the wall.
On Sunday morning, things became abundantly clear.
Sea Dogs' head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu lowered the boom.
"I got a phone call at about 10 to 10 on Sunday morning and Jacques asked me to come into the rink. He brought me into his office - I didn't really know what to expect. He said I had a good camp and told me he'd like me to play a year in tier II. Then I packed my bags, thanked everybody and went home."
Beaulieu said that no matter how many times he does it, playing the grim reaper is not something he enjoys or will ever get used to.
"It's easily the toughest part of my job," he said. "I'm breaking hearts, that's basically what I do. It's their dream to play major junior and I have to break their hearts.
"I try to make it as positive as I can and not dwell on the negatives. I still try to treat them like human beings, that's for sure. I tell them what they should be working on.
"I know some of the kids feel like they've failed because they've worked a long time just for training camp but they really haven't failed. It's more like a stepping stone."
Taken in the fifth round of this year's draft, the likeable and articulate 16-year-old believes he's not that far away from being a valuable member of the franchise. For now, though, he'll either suit up for the Weeks Crushers (Pictou County, N.S.) of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League, where he was selected fourth overall in the draft, or return to the major midget ranks with the Saint John Vito's.
Langan made it clear that as hungry as he was to make the team, he didn't want to be a token Saint Johner.
"That was the thing." he said. "I told Jacques this, I didn't want to be there just as a hometown guy. I wanted to be there as a player and compete every night and make an impression."
He made an impression, all right.
If you're laying any bets as to where Langan's future will take him, don't bet against him someday playing the role of the Sea Dogs' true hometown hero.
"Andrew played very well in training camp but we feel he has to mature as a player," said Beaulieu. "Going to play tier II will help him a lot and by next year he'll be on our team for sure, as long as he matures as a player."
As disappointed as he is, Langan is not the type of young man who will give up.
"I think it's going to push me more to prove to them that I can play there," he said. "I didn't really get the chance to show them. I thought I did a good job and played pretty good. I was comfortable out there and the older guys made me feel like I belonged."
Beaulieu is looking forward to keeping tabs on Langan's development.
"He has to earn his keep," he said. "Everything he gets, he's going to have to work for. He's a good young man and a good person. He's well brought up, he's full of character and he loves the game. He has a passion for the game."
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday August 28th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
Being cut has never been part of the equation for Andrew Langan.
This guy has never even been cut shaving.
Hockey, soccer, lacrosse ... you name it, the youngster can play it and play it well.
Never a fringe player, always a star, Langan has never had to deal with rejection as far as sports go.
That all changed Sunday morning at Harbour Station when he received the dreaded news.
His dream of playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the hometown Saint John Sea Dogs would have to be put on hold.
The axe fell and it was Langan's head on the chopping block.
The smooth-skating, talented forward held his own during intra-squad games but wasn't dominating. That's really what he had to do to crack a lineup loaded with returning players and easily the most impressive collection of talent in the team's three-year history.
Many thought he and fellow Quispamsis resident Michael Cormier might be in the lineup for Saturday's exhibition game against Moncton but that wasn't the case.
Sitting high up in the bleachers at Harbour Station, watching the pre-season tilt, Langan caught a glimpse of the writing on the wall.
On Sunday morning, things became abundantly clear.
Sea Dogs' head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu lowered the boom.
"I got a phone call at about 10 to 10 on Sunday morning and Jacques asked me to come into the rink. He brought me into his office - I didn't really know what to expect. He said I had a good camp and told me he'd like me to play a year in tier II. Then I packed my bags, thanked everybody and went home."
Beaulieu said that no matter how many times he does it, playing the grim reaper is not something he enjoys or will ever get used to.
"It's easily the toughest part of my job," he said. "I'm breaking hearts, that's basically what I do. It's their dream to play major junior and I have to break their hearts.
"I try to make it as positive as I can and not dwell on the negatives. I still try to treat them like human beings, that's for sure. I tell them what they should be working on.
"I know some of the kids feel like they've failed because they've worked a long time just for training camp but they really haven't failed. It's more like a stepping stone."
Taken in the fifth round of this year's draft, the likeable and articulate 16-year-old believes he's not that far away from being a valuable member of the franchise. For now, though, he'll either suit up for the Weeks Crushers (Pictou County, N.S.) of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League, where he was selected fourth overall in the draft, or return to the major midget ranks with the Saint John Vito's.
Langan made it clear that as hungry as he was to make the team, he didn't want to be a token Saint Johner.
"That was the thing." he said. "I told Jacques this, I didn't want to be there just as a hometown guy. I wanted to be there as a player and compete every night and make an impression."
He made an impression, all right.
If you're laying any bets as to where Langan's future will take him, don't bet against him someday playing the role of the Sea Dogs' true hometown hero.
"Andrew played very well in training camp but we feel he has to mature as a player," said Beaulieu. "Going to play tier II will help him a lot and by next year he'll be on our team for sure, as long as he matures as a player."
As disappointed as he is, Langan is not the type of young man who will give up.
"I think it's going to push me more to prove to them that I can play there," he said. "I didn't really get the chance to show them. I thought I did a good job and played pretty good. I was comfortable out there and the older guys made me feel like I belonged."
Beaulieu is looking forward to keeping tabs on Langan's development.
"He has to earn his keep," he said. "Everything he gets, he's going to have to work for. He's a good young man and a good person. He's well brought up, he's full of character and he loves the game. He has a passion for the game."
