Post by dogcatcher on Sept 3, 2007 6:44:56 GMT -4
A hired gun
QMJHL Francis Charland was signed as a 20-year-old by the Saint John Sea Dogs to provide some offensive pop. So far, so good.
Andrew McGilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Monday September 3rd, 2007
Appeared on page B10
SAINT JOHN - Francis Charland wasn't brought into Saint John just to fill a 20-year-old roster spot.
He was brought in to put the puck in the net and make other teams dread taking a penalty. In the Sea Dogs' 8-4 road win over the Lewiston Maineiacs on Friday, Charland showed his offensive prowess with three points and set up a Sea Dogs' power-play marker.
"The coaches gave us a chance on a couple of power plays and we took it," said Charland, who played on a line with Chris Di Domenico and Payton Liske.
In fact, it was his prowess with the man advantage that was part of the reason Beaulieu brought the 20-year-old into the Sea Dogs fold.
"We were looking for a power-play guy, especially a right-handed shot, to play with (Di Domenico)," Beaulieu said.
However, bringing Charland to Saint John could have been seen as a gamble. The former first-round pick in the 2003 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League entry draft (ninth overall) has suffered through injuries for most of his junior career.
Charland had 20 points in 40 games last season with the Victoriaville Tigres. He was acquired by Saint John earlier this summer for a sixth-round pick in 2009.
"I always thought he had a lot of skill," Beaulieu said. "If he can stay healthy I think he can put up some numbers this year."
For Charland, he described the change of scenery as a breath of fresh air and a chance to start over.
So far, so good for Charland, who has played well in the pre-season. He's also focused on the season, his last in the junior ranks.
"This is the year that's going to decide what I do next," he said. "This season will decide whether I go to school or try to play in the pro leagues."
As for his past injuries, he said they were tough on him both mentally and physically.
"Sometimes you miss one or two months and then it takes 10 games to get your rhythm back," Charland said. "Just when I'd start to get it back, I was getting injured again."
He's put his problems behind him and looks forward to being one of the older guys on a team he thinks is poised for a big year.
"I really think this team is going to have a great year. All the young guys are getting better and our (defence) is amazing," he said.
"We're a young team with a lot talent and we're improving quickly."
NHL CAMPS: The Sea Dogs will be without four key players for the next couple of weeks as they head off to National Hockey League training camps. Brett Gallant is with the Ottawa Senators, Alex Grant is in Pittsburgh with the Penguins, David Stich is with the Dallas Stars and Di Domenico is in the Toronto Maple Leafs camp.
RANKINGS: Yann Sauve and Pascal Amyot are the two highest-rated Saint John players for the 2008 NHL entry draft according to International Scouting Services. Sauve is rated 23rd while Amyot is 84th. The top rated New Brunswick player is Kelsey Tessier of Moncton who plays for the Quebec Remparts who's ranked 13th. Patrice Cormier of Cap-Pele, who plays for the Rimouski Oceanic, is ranked 15th.
QMJHL Francis Charland was signed as a 20-year-old by the Saint John Sea Dogs to provide some offensive pop. So far, so good.
Andrew McGilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Monday September 3rd, 2007
Appeared on page B10
SAINT JOHN - Francis Charland wasn't brought into Saint John just to fill a 20-year-old roster spot.
He was brought in to put the puck in the net and make other teams dread taking a penalty. In the Sea Dogs' 8-4 road win over the Lewiston Maineiacs on Friday, Charland showed his offensive prowess with three points and set up a Sea Dogs' power-play marker.
"The coaches gave us a chance on a couple of power plays and we took it," said Charland, who played on a line with Chris Di Domenico and Payton Liske.
In fact, it was his prowess with the man advantage that was part of the reason Beaulieu brought the 20-year-old into the Sea Dogs fold.
"We were looking for a power-play guy, especially a right-handed shot, to play with (Di Domenico)," Beaulieu said.
However, bringing Charland to Saint John could have been seen as a gamble. The former first-round pick in the 2003 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League entry draft (ninth overall) has suffered through injuries for most of his junior career.
Charland had 20 points in 40 games last season with the Victoriaville Tigres. He was acquired by Saint John earlier this summer for a sixth-round pick in 2009.
"I always thought he had a lot of skill," Beaulieu said. "If he can stay healthy I think he can put up some numbers this year."
For Charland, he described the change of scenery as a breath of fresh air and a chance to start over.
So far, so good for Charland, who has played well in the pre-season. He's also focused on the season, his last in the junior ranks.
"This is the year that's going to decide what I do next," he said. "This season will decide whether I go to school or try to play in the pro leagues."
As for his past injuries, he said they were tough on him both mentally and physically.
"Sometimes you miss one or two months and then it takes 10 games to get your rhythm back," Charland said. "Just when I'd start to get it back, I was getting injured again."
He's put his problems behind him and looks forward to being one of the older guys on a team he thinks is poised for a big year.
"I really think this team is going to have a great year. All the young guys are getting better and our (defence) is amazing," he said.
"We're a young team with a lot talent and we're improving quickly."
NHL CAMPS: The Sea Dogs will be without four key players for the next couple of weeks as they head off to National Hockey League training camps. Brett Gallant is with the Ottawa Senators, Alex Grant is in Pittsburgh with the Penguins, David Stich is with the Dallas Stars and Di Domenico is in the Toronto Maple Leafs camp.
RANKINGS: Yann Sauve and Pascal Amyot are the two highest-rated Saint John players for the 2008 NHL entry draft according to International Scouting Services. Sauve is rated 23rd while Amyot is 84th. The top rated New Brunswick player is Kelsey Tessier of Moncton who plays for the Quebec Remparts who's ranked 13th. Patrice Cormier of Cap-Pele, who plays for the Rimouski Oceanic, is ranked 15th.