Henleys Reunited In Hometown

The Henleys have returned home.

Samuel and Cedrick Henley are a pair of big power forwards, and they are reunited in Val-d’Or, their old stomping grounds.

“It’s pretty nice,” Samuel said. “I’m so happy to be playing at home.”

The two brothers were reunited thanks to the disbanding of the Lewiston MAINEiacs.

The opportunity was too good to pass up for the Foreurs in last year’s Dispersal Draft of the MAINEiacs. Samuel was available, and the team had a chance to pick him up. They never thought twice.

“It was a great pickup not only on the ice but off the ice as well,” Foreurs head coach Marc-Andre Dumont said. “It was a fantastic pick for the fans [to get a hometown player]. It was a no-brainer for us.”

“They are great role models and great in the community, as well as being talented players on the ice. They are very popular in Val-d’Or.”

Not only are they great in the community, they both attended NHL camps recently, Samuel with the Washington Capitals and Cedrick with the Buffalo Sabres.

“It was really nice [going to camp in Washington],” Samuel said. “It was amazing playing with [Ovechkin] and the other stars on the team. [Washington] is a really nice city and we had some fun while I was there.”

Cedrick was attending his second camp with the Sabres. The Sabres pick in the third round in the 2010 entry draft lasted as far as the other junior players in camp; all junior aged players in Buffalo were cut at the same time.

“I had a great time,” he said. “I knew the team and the coaches so it was easier the second time around. I had more confidence. It was good to see the other prospects again; the friends I made the first time.”

The Henleys are key players in Dumont’s lineup for the Foreurs, but both have been disappointing for the Foreurs in the early going of the 2011-12 season. Cedrick has five assists in 10 games so far this season, and Samuel has just a lone assist in 10 games.

Dumont said that despite their point totals, the two players are both key for the success of the Foreurs.

“Both of them play well with the puck and without it,” he said. “They are both great on the penalty kill and great physically. They are two different players with two different skillsets, but they are both great power forwards.”

Dumont added that both players have the skill set to make the NHL as grinders and heart-and-soul players.

“Both of their talents will translate well to the pro game,” he said. “They can both forecheck well and grind teams down. They are strong in their own end and strong on the forecheck. They have good hockey sense and good shots they can both fire in traffic.”

Both brothers admit they have work to do to make the pro game.

“I have to work on my body strength,” Samuel said. “The strength, skating and conditioning at the NHL level is so high. It’s a main thing I have to get better at, and improve.”

“I want to have quicker feet,” Cedrick said. “[The Sabres] are happy so far with my progress, but I need to work on that. As well, improving all parts of my game is key. It’s the best league in the world with the best players, so you have to bring your best.”