Tagged: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

10Jan

Cédric Paquette(17) Syracuse Crunch

Posted in AHL, NHL | 1 Comment

Cedric Paquette

Tampa Bay Lightning 4th round pick in the 2012 draft (#101 overall) rookie center Cedric Paquette(17) has to be loving life since being a surprise selection and deciding to turn pro after only two seasons in juniors with Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

On reassignment to minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch, he’s being used in every possible game situation: 5-on-5, power plays and penalty kills.

The ice time is definitely paying off as he has 11 goals and 13 assists in 36 games with a +5 rating.

In his pair of campaigns in the QMJHL, he was easily a point-per-game player but also never shies away from the rough stuff as his penalty minutes indicate.

Signed to a three-year entry level deal through the 2016 season, the 20-year old is already paying dividends for the parent club that chose him on a hunch, and his future is looking quite bright.

26Nov

Stefan Matteau(18) Albany Devils

Posted in AHL, NHL | Leave a comment

 

stefan-matteau

New Jersey Devils‘ 1st round pick in the 2012 draft (#29 overall), left wing  Stefan Matteau(18) was given quite the opportunity to step right into the big league at age 18 after competing in only half a season in the QMJHL with Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

Waiting for the lockout to thaw, he was invited to training camp with the chance to make the squad and did just that.

After 17 games, with his first pro goal and a pair of assists to his credit, it was decided to return him to his junior hockey team to play out the remainder of the season; although the situation went amiss and he ended up abruptly leaving the team during their playoff run.

His playing rights were traded to Rimouski Oceanic, but the 6’3″ 215 lbs. player was determined to turn pro and stick with the parent club or start his official rookie season with their minor league affilate Albany Devils.

The latter occurred when he was reassigned to the farm club to continue his development.

In 18 AHL games the built like a power forward has a conservative 3 goals and 4 assists, while seemingly still adjusting to the higher level of play.

Signed to a three-year entry level deal last season, the first campaign of the contract was accounted for in his somewhat tumultuous 2012/2013.

The big 19-year old will likely figure out pretty quickly what it’s going to take for him to jump to the next level permanently and become a fixture in the league but will probably need to pay attention to some good coaching and could use a great veteran mentor.