To those who know how to wait, time opens its doors. Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Cayden Primeau, two late Canadian options, are doing what it takes to rise to the esteem of CH’s big bosses.
Laval Rocket may have lost Game 5 of the series to the Springfield Thunderbirds, but the performances of the 197th pick of the 2017 draft (Primeau) and the 201st of the 2019 draft (Harvey-Pinard) provide an opportunity for the new leaders of the Canadian to celebrate genius from the previous direction.
Primeau and Harvey-Pinard were certainly not on the radar of many recruiters when they became hope of the Montreal organization at the end of a long draft day where they expect to hear their name spoken into the microphone earlier.
But at least the long -awaited moment has arrived. And that’s what matters, even though housekeeping specialists are probably already preparing to clean up the area and dismantle the tables.
Being the 7th and final round pick is commendable, even if you’re probably invited to your first training camp to fill a sweater. It is at this point that the old sages of the hockey world see fit to point out that dress does not make a monk.
Wearing a uniform is a privilege, but what you do once you get in is important. Harvey-Pinard and Primeau are in the process of proving it, in this beautiful Canadian school club course in the American League.
You have to hear the 10,000 or more spectators at Place Bell who lived with each other in the lively review of the Saguenay forward. However, Harvey-Pinard was very small and the blow seemed intense. No, it’s no coincidence that he became one of the favorites of this crowd.
Being its relentless brilliant last in the 2019 vintage class suddenly got him a lot of attention from his rivals. And the Springfield Thunderbirds players aren’t soft. Harvey-Pinard was also well sealed with the band behind his net in an intense moment of overtime on Saturday night.
The audience gasped. And the favorite got up, obviously a bit bruised, before turning around again carve the opponent. Harvey-Pinard had previously scored the same goal for the Rockets.
As a result, he has been 5th in his last 4 games in a very good series against a team with strong players who want to try to scare Harvey-Pinard and his teammates. And holding Cayden Primeau …
He will start to get tired, he will take a day off tomorrow.dropped Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle, who commented on the work of his goalkeeper Cayden Primeau after the loss of his team on Saturday night.
Primeau is at the top of his game in this series. He learns the hard way and that is exactly what the CH organization wants. Finally, a school club standing, you might say. And it allows the next generation to do their homework in a perfect context.
Spectators uttered the name of their goaltender on multiple occasions, it was like cheers for Carey at the Bell Center. Enough to think of Cayden in his place …
But the comparison stops there. The No. 31 of the Rocket is building confidence in Laval. And his performances in these series are ramparts of a solid foundation. Thunderbird players continue to turn around after the whistle. Primeau’s colleagues have a duty to protect him and they do it.
Saturday night, in a power play granted to the Rocket, Alex Belzile rushed like crazy to Dakota Joshua after the Springfield forward allowed free contact with the young goalkeeper.
The gesture cost Laval residents their superiority as a player. But Cayden needed to feel the support, he, thanks to his intelligence, maintains Rocket’s dream of taking part in the final despite intense opposition.
Win the playoffs, for that. Build the character of your promising players. Instead of being at home figuring out how to get rid of Jake Allen or Samuel Montembeault, Primeau has a chance to prove he can be successful in the American League. And that he is confident of a number one goalkeeper.
Between two ears and on the ice rink.
In front of reporters, Primeau remains frozen. He is not carried away. The others are done for him. And if Jean-François Houle wants him to rest, because the Rockets will have their hands on Monday in Springfield. And Wednesday probably during the 7th and decisive match, if Primeau kept the rhythm.
Rafael Harvey-Pinard said he was just playing his way, with intensity. As he did in the junior ranks. Along with the Huskies, then the Saguenéens. Of course, he is the only player drafted in the 7th round in 2019 to score an NHL goal this season. Harvey-Pinard only played 4 games with the big club.
His playoff performance was inspiring.
Teammate Devante Smith-Pelly said he is the best Rocket player today. And Rocket’s number 11 playing style reminded him of course of a Brendan Gallagher, CH’s number 11 who according to him, he says while laughing, is somewhat less efficient that young Harvey-Pinard …
7th round picks that look like scouts are pretty rare. But these days, you don’t have to look far. The Tampa Bay Lightning has a nice one in its range. Ondrej Palat, 208th pick in the 2011 draft, is now one of the pillars of the Lightning trying to win a third consecutive Stanley Cup.
The emergence of these types of players after a stint in the minor leagues contributes greatly to the success of an organization. All you have to do is give yourself time to build them into a winning environment.
Laval Rocket is on the right track in its search for the Calder Cup.
Source: Radio-Canada
