For one coach it marks his return to junior hockey, and for another it’s his first shot at being behind the bench after an illustrious NHL career.

2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Team Orr coach Pat Quinn and Team Cherry coach Mark Recchi have taken very different paths to reach this point in their hockey careers.

For Quinn, it’s been a career filled with ups-and-downs in his years of playing and coaching at the NHL level. Never winning a Stanley Cup, Quinn’s most prized victories as a coach were the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, the 2004 World Cup, and the 2008 IIHF World U18, and 2009 World Junior Championship.

His latest coaching stint was with the Edmonton Oilers in the 2009-2010 season, but was removed from the position after only one year. Now holding a Senior Advisor role with the club, Quinn says he’s happy to be back where he feels most comfortable.

“It kind of refreshes the memories I had with the under 18’s and under 20’s that I went to Russia with and then Ottawa,” Quinn said in a press conference on Tuesday. “Canadian kids are terrific and I really enjoyed that time then and I’m looking forward to this time now.”

On the flip-side, Recchi is less than a year removed from his days in the NHL, where he played over 1,600 career games, while amassing 577 goals and 1,533 points. The three-time Stanley Cup champion, most recently with the 2010-11 Boston Bruins, also said he’s looking forward to the opportunity.

“I’m a fan of junior hockey and a part owner, and really believe in the CHL,” Recchi said, referring to his hometown team of which he is involved with, the Kamloops Blazers. “It’s a fun time for me to go and watch these kids and be behind the bench.”

With such great talent in the line-up, it’s no wonder that both are excited to be involved with the game. Even with a few highly ranked players not able to participate, there is still a plethora of quality participants looking to catch a few eyes in the stands.

“When you look at the depth of our draft, it has always been the strength of the CHL,” Commissioner of the WHL and CHL Vice-President Ron Robison said. “We represent over 50% of the NHL draft and have been very dominant in recent years from a CHL standpoint. The reality is it opens the door to some players to really make an impression.”

And with a draft pool as close in comparison as any of the years before, it’s going to be extremely important for the players to try and standout as it could put them ahead of their counterparts.

“It’s a great opportunity for these kids to showcase what they can bring to the table,” Recchi said. “It can elevate them to a higher pick, and they can go out there and show that against the best they are the best.”

And while some players may get caught up in the glitz and the glamour of being in the national spotlight, Quinn believes it’s necessary, although maybe difficult, for them to stay focused.

“They’re at such an exciting stage in their lives…it’s becoming a way of life,” he said. “This game is important as it’s an attempt to help improve their development moving forward.”

Recchi said he won’t be hesitant however to give his input if he sees something in a player’s game that he might be able to suggest improvements on.

“I’ve been around the game a long time,” he said. “We’ll go over certain things if I see something. They have all the tools, it’s just helping them recognize it and lead them in the right direction.”

Even though it’s a quick two-day event, both said that they would pass on the best advice possible.

“I would say to really embrace the few days that they’re there together and the opportunity they have,” said Recchi. “It’s a big stage and don’t let it catch you. If you don’t embrace it then you might not bring your best.”

Quinn summed up his advice in one sentence.

“What they’re interested in is finding a good player, so be the player you are.”

Quinn will be joined behind the bench by Associate Coach Don Hay of the Vancouver Giants, while Recchi will be joined by Associate Coach Ryan Huska of the Kelowna Rockets.

Rangers forward, Radek Faksa, has impressed scouts across the country in a season where he has been scoring at a point per game pace.

Despite his terrific play, the Czech forward wasn’t expecting to show up at the top of the draft ranking but he knows what he has to do to not disappoint the rest of the way.

“It was a big surprise right away so I’m very happy but its just half of the season … I must always work hard,” Faksa said. “It’s hard because I’m tired from of playing a lot of games.  I didn’t play a lot of games [last season] so it’s different now. I hope I have good conditioning.”

All the same, Faksa’s success to this point has not gone unnoticed by Rangers’ Head Coach and General Manager, Steve Spott.

“I think Radek Faksa’s one of the smartest player’s we’ve had in the organization for a long time,” said Spott.  “He’s big, he’s strong and he plays the game hard.”

Coach Spott went on to express his belief that Faksa has a bright future ahead of him.

“He has all the NHL intangibles; he trains extremely hard off the ice, he works on his game in practice and ultimately, his hockey sense it as a world class level,” he said.  “He has the chance to be a great NHL second-line centre man.”

Nevertheless, just like any young player, Faksa has much to work on to prepare to play at the level of the National Hockey League.

“He’s gotta stay in the weight room, he has to continue to physically develop,” continued Spott.  “He’s a tall kid but he still has room to grow.  It’s a matter of working on your skating like all players do and then obviously getting stronger in the weight room.”

Having played at the World Junior Championship in Alberta last month, Faksa now has some familiarity with playing in a high-pressure game.

“It was a very good experience because I was young and it was in Canada so there were a lot of people … it was a very big experience for me,” said Faksa.

Despite ending the tournament without a medal, the experience gained from the competition will prove to be invaluable when it comes time to fighting for a position with an NHL hockey club next year.

Team captains Alfredsson and Chara, with their respective assistant captains Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and Joffrey Lupul of the Toronto Maple Leafs, selected the skills participants from the teams they picked last night at the 2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft. The order of participation will be determined by the captains just before the start of each event. Each All-Star will be involved in no more than three events, excluding the Tim Hortons NHL Elimination Shootout™ finale.

Bridgestone NHL Fastest Skater™ — order determined on the ice

Team Alfredsson    Team Chara

Kris Letang, PIT (backwards)    Brian Campbell, FLA (backwards)
Jonathan Quick, LA (goaltender)    Jimmy Howard, DET (goaltender)
Carl Hagelin, NYR (rookie)    Colin Greening, OTT (rookie)
Keith Yandle, PHX    Phil Kessel, TOR
Erik Karlsson, OTT    Marian Hossa, CHI

Event description: Five players from each team compete, four All-Stars and one rookie. The contest will consist of five preliminary races, with the player posting the fastest time from each team meeting in one final match race. The race format is new this year: one skater from each team is positioned side-by-side on the start line. Both skaters race toward the same end zone, both turn outward, skate to the opposite end zone, turn back and skate past center ice to the finish line. Six team points are available — one each to the winner of the six individual races.

Allstate Insurance NHL Breakaway Challenge™

Team Alfredsson    Team Chara

Sean Couturier, PHI (rookie)    Ryan Johansen, CBJ (rookie)
John Tavares, NYI    Patrick Kane, CHI
Logan Couture, SJ    Corey Perry, ANA
Brian Elliott, STL (goaltender)    Carey Price, MTL (goaltender)

Event description: A test of creativity a player can insert into a breakaway, three shooters (one rookie, two All-Stars) and one goaltender from each team will participate. Each skater will attempt three shots – with no limits. Shooters can start their attempt from anywhere with full access to the offensive zone, including behind the net. NHL penalty shot rules do not apply. Fans in-arena and watching on television in Canada and the United States will be able to vote for their favorite player by texting the number that corresponds to the player of their choice to 81812. The shooter with the highest fan vote will score one point for his team.

Canadian Tire NHL Accuracy Shooting™ — order determined on the ice

Team Alfredsson    Team Chara

Matt Read, PHI (rookie)    Cody Hodgson, VAN (rookie)
Jason Spezza, OTT    Tyler Seguin, BOS
Steven Stamkos, TB    Jamie Benn, DAL
Daniel Sedin, VAN    Marian Hossa, CHI

Event description: Four players from each team (one Rookie, three All-Stars) will compete, with four additional All-Stars from each team serving as passers. From 25 feet in front of the net, a shooter will take aim at four foam targets attached to the inner side of the goalposts, one target in each corner. The objective is to hit all targets in the fastest time. The player with the fastest time from each team will go head-to-head in the final round for the title of the NHL’s most accurate shooter. Five team points are available, one to the winner of each individual matchup.

G Series NHL Skills Challenge Relay™

Team Alfredsson    Team Chara

Group 1    Group 1

Nick Johnson, MIN (one-time passer)    Ryan Suter, NSH (one-time passer)
Shea Weber, NSH (one-timer RH)    Dennis Wideman, WSH (one-timer RH)
Kris Letang, PIT (one-timer RH)    Jarome Iginla, CGY (one-timer RH)
Steven Stamkos, TB (one-timer RH)    Joffrey Lupul, TOR (one-timer RH)
Henrik Sedin, VAN (passing accuracy)    Patrick Kane, CHI (passing accuracy)
Milan Michalek, OTT (puck control)    Pavel Datsyuk, DET (puck control)
Logan Couture, SJ (stick handling)    Gabriel Landeskog, COL (stick handling)
James Neal, PIT (target shooter)    Marian Gaborik, NYR (target shooter)

Group 2    Group 2

Alexander Edler, VAN (one-time passer)    Jordan Eberle, EDM (one-time passer)
Keith Yandle, PHX (one-timer LH)    Dion Phaneuf, TOR (one-timer LH)
Scott Hartnell, PHI (one-timer LH)    Zdeno Chara, BOS (one-timer LH)
John Tavares, NYI (one-timer LH)    Jamie Benn, DAL (one-timer LH)
Daniel Sedin, VAN (passing accuracy)    Kimmo Timonen, PHI (passing accuracy)
Craig Smith, NSH (puck control)    Raphael Diaz, MTL (puck control)
Claude Giroux, PHI (stick handling)    Evgeni Malkin, PIT (stick handling)
Jason Pominville, BUF (target shooter)    Phil Kessel, TOR (target shooter)

Event description: Introduced to acclaim in 2011, this event will feature 16 players from each team (two Rookies, 14 All-Stars) and showcase a host of skills that include the ‘one-timer,’ passing, puck control, stick-handling and accuracy shooting. In the ‘one-timer’ event, three shooters (with the assistance of one passer) must score three goals over an eight inch barrier; in the passing event, one passer must complete a pass into each of six nets placed around the rink; in the puck control event, one skater will skate through a series of cones while keeping possession of the puck; in the stick handling event, one skater will control the puck through a series of obstacles; and in the accuracy shooting event, one player will take aim at four targets. Two groups from each team will go through the relay — one from each team in a pair of heats. Each skill must be completed before moving on to the next skill in this timed relay event worth a total of three points. The fastest team in each heat will earn one point and the team with the fastest combined time will earn one bonus point.


BlackBerry NHL Hardest Shot™ — order determined on the ice

Team Alfredsson    Team Chara

Justin Faulk, CAR (rookie)    Luke Adam, BUF (rookie)
Daniel Alfredsson, OTT    Dennis Wideman, WSH
Jason Spezza, OTT    Dion Phaneuf, TOR
Shea Weber, NSH    Zdeno Chara, BOS

Event description: Fittingly, Team Chara captain Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins called his own number in this event. Chara not only won his fourth consecutive NHL Hardest Shot competition in 2011, but his blast of 105.9 mph broke the all-time record of 105.4 he set in 2009. Team Alfredsson, meanwhile, will be anchored by Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators, who recorded a 104.8 mph shot in finishing runner-up to Chara last year. Four players from each team (one Rookie, three All-Stars) will compete in five head-to-head matchups. One contestant from each team will square off in each round, valued at one point each. The highest recorded shot (by radar in mph) of two attempts will be scored. The player from each team with the hardest single shot will meet in a final match to determine the NHL’s hardest shooter. Five team points are available — one to the winner of each of the four preliminary matchups and one to the winner of the finale.

Tim Hortons NHL Elimination Shootout™

Team Alfredsson    Team Chara

Carl Hagelin, NYR (rookie)    Colin Greening, OTT (rookie)
Steven Stamkos, TB    Pavel Datsyuk, DET
John Tavares, NYI    Evgeni Malkin, PIT
Jason Spezza, OTT    Corey Perry, ANA
Claude Giroux, PHI    Tyler Seguin, BOS
Daniel Alfredsson, OTT    Marian Gaborik, NYR
James Neal, PIT    Patrick Kane, CHI
Milan Michalek, OTT    Jarome Iginla, CGY
Jason Pominville, BUF    Jamie Benn, DAL
Kris Letang, PIT    Joffrey Lupul, TOR
Erik Karlsson, OTT    Kimmo Timonen, PHI
Daniel Sedin, VAN    Ryan Suter, NSH
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (goaltender)    Carey Price, MTL (goaltender)
Brian Elliott, STL (goaltender)    Tim Thomas, BOS (goaltender)
Jonathan Quick, LA (goaltender)    Jimmy Howard, DET (goaltender)

Event description: The battle between Team Alfredsson and Team Chara will be decided in this competition, when 15 participants from each side (one Rookie, 11 All-Stars, three goaltenders), compete in a time-honored game of “hockey survivor.” Shooters who score will move on to the next round in the shootout, with the All-Star goaltenders rotating after every third shooter. The event will continue until one player scores and the other(s) do not in a single round — last goal wins. Every goal scored will count as one point for the goal-scorer’s team.

“The experience with the Flyers was unbelievable,” he said. “I really want to go back there.”

The undrafted Czech forward played deep into the training camp of the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent, getting into a late pre-season game with the club and even scoring a goal, playing with Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell.

The Flyers presented wanted to present a contract to the young Hyka, who is now with the Gatineau Olympiques. He couldn’t sign it.

The NHL-CHL transfer agreement stipulates that an undrafted player in the CHL has to be 20 in order to sign with a team as a free agent. Otherwise, they have to be drafted for a team to hold their rights. Hyka is 19. The Flyers knew Hyka was on the board in the seventh round, and picked tough guy Derek Mathers instead.

The Flyers just showcased the talented forward for the rest of the league to notice. He’s now ranked 65^th on the NHL’s central scouting list.

Hyka 1, Mathers 0.

“The experience was unbelievable,” Hyka said. “The whole camp was great, and the game was excellent. I hope to have plenty more opportunities like that.”

He might just be getting started.

Hyka will enter the 2012 NHL Entry Draft with considerably more fanfare than last time around. To add to his pro resume, he has 44 points in 37 games so far this season, his first in the QMJHL.

He also had two assists in five games for the Czech Republic in the 2012 World Junior Championships.

“The world junior tournament was a good chance to get my play up again,” he said. “It was a test just like the pre-season game was.”

Hyka said that his decision to come to Canada to play was a great one, even if it screwed him out of a pro contract a year earlier.

“I’m very happy to be here,” he said. “The game here in Gatineau suits my style very well. It’s a lot closer to the European style, but also physical. There’s lots of speed and lots of talent.”

The native of Mlada Boleslav is hoping to build on his game. He trains in the off-season with other Czech players, including Radim Vrbata, the NHL veteran of five teams and a fellow native of Mlada Boleslav. Vrbata also suited up for the Olympiques for a season and a half in the late 1990s.

“Vrbata is a guy I really admire,” Hyka said. “He’s a guy who can pass and shoot very well, and I want to play like him.”

He added that he wants to work on his talents for the upcoming NHL call.

“I want to improve my physical play,” he said. “My puck protection and ability to play in traffic are big in the next level. I also want to work on my shot and bring it up a bit more. I want to improve everywhere and get better.”

Hyka said that plenty of teams are looking for his services come June.

“I want to keep working hard,” he said. “I’d love to go back to the Flyers, and they want me too, but we’ll see what happens.”

These players will get their chance to stand out on the national stage in front of NHL General Mangers and hundreds of NHL team scouts, all with aspirations of moving up the NHL Draft board come June.

While some believe that the players chosen to participate are based solely on rankings, Chris Edwards of NHL Central Scouting described how they were selected to attend the two-day event which also includes a Skills Competition and three-on-three showcase on Tuesday January 31.

“All 30 NHL teams are given a ballot and GM’s submit twelve defenseman, four goaltenders and twenty-four forwards,” he explained. “From there, the guys with the most votes are taken, and the secondary guys – the next number of total votes – are added in if injuries happen.”

It’s then up to the members of Central Scouting, lead by Director Dan Marr, to continue the process.

“Once the teams are selected, we try and divide the players into two equal teams,” Edwards said. “If you look at the scores the last few years you’d think we weren’t doing a good job of it because there haven’t been that many close games.”

Because of those lopsided outcomes, the selection process has come under a bit of scrutiny, but Edwards believes that it’s not for a lack of trying, and defended Central Scouting’s decisions.

“We put a lot of effort into it and attempt to make it even, i.e. Left shot vs. Right shot, or where they are in our rankings, but it really hasn’t worked out. It’s really not from a lack of trying.”

Regardless, the game really solidifies the quality of players that are developing in the CHL, and also gives NHL GM’s who are typically very busy with their team schedules, a chance to watch all of these players under one roof.

It gets all of the guys in one place and gives them [GM’s] a chance to look at the players over two nights,” Edwards said. “They’ll go over each guy they’re interested in with the team’s Director of Scouting and will be able to form an opinion on them.”

As well, Edwards believes that staging an event with this many high calibre players is another great opportunity to show the commitment that both leagues have with one another.

“There’s always been a strong relationship between the NHL and the CHL, even historically, going back to the days of NHL teams sponsoring CHL teams,” he explained. “I still believe the vast majority of players are coming to the NHL from the CHL.”

There are a few noticeable absences from the game however, as top ranked players such as Alex Galchenyuk (Sarnia Sting) Morgan Rielly (Moose Jaw Warriors), and Slater Koekkoek (Peterborough Petes) will miss the game due to significant injuries that have kept them out of CHL lineups most of the season.

Edwards feels that although they are injured, their draft stock should not be affected.

“The GM’s aren’t going to see them this one time, but these guys have been seen a lot by their scouting departments, with the exception of Galchenyuk,” he said. “In his [Galchenyuk] case, it makes the NHL combine that much more important. It won’t affect him that much as long as he gets a clean bill of health and he’ll be back to 100%.”

And while players like Galchenyuk will be unable to play, the others competing will hope to solidify their positions as top ranked NHL prospects, and be one step closer to realizing their dream of being drafted on June 22nd in Pittsburgh.

The 19-year-old Red Wings prospect stood on his head for the Czech Republic and was nothing short of a crowd pleaser for the Canadian fans between Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta.

“He kept us in all tournament,” commented fellow teammate and current Kitchener Ranger Radek Faksa. “He’s an amazing goalie.”

Voted “Best Goaltender” by a majority of over 475 media members, Mrazek’s play was in refute to the Czech Hockey Federation, who had previously banned him from the tournament. Mrazek opted to leave his home country – and his final year on a hockey contract – to play with the Ottawa 67’s in the Ontario Hockey League. Czech management was less than pleased with his decision to neglect the contract and consequently banned him from international play.

In his third season with the 67’s, among the league leaders in just about every statistical category for goaltenders – goals-against-average, save percentage, wins, shutouts and saves – the Czechs buried their feud, realizing just how much of an asset Mrazek would be to their team.

Aside from his 2.44 goals-against-average and .928 save percentage through six games at the WJC, it was Mrazek’s eccentric celebrations that endeared him to fans.

In a preliminary match-up against Team Canada, he denied Canadian sniper Mark Stone and showed his enthusiasm with a knee-drop fist pump – typically not seen from goalies. In a 5-2 upset knocking Team USA out of medal contention, he celebrated, jumped in team pile-ups and saluted the crowd in what he cited as his best performance ever between the pipes.

“It’s an unreal feeling,” said Mrazek who played out his final year of WJC eligibility. “To have the crowd stand up and to chant your name.”

The Czechs eventually succumbed in a quarterfinal loss to Team Russia, the defending gold medalists.

“No one expected this from us at the start of the tournament,” said Mrazek following the game. “I was happy with our team, but we had a chance to play in the semifinal for a medal and we lost so we can’t talk about it.”

The Czech’s went on to a fifth place finish, defeating Slovakia in the relegation round.

“It’s difficult, but it’s just hockey. You have to take it and learn from it.”

At least that’s not the reputation Tomas himself would like to have anymore.

“I want to be known as a good hockey player, not just the guy with the stick and puck.”

The Kosice, Slovakia native became an instant You Tube sensation after an awe-inspiring video of his stick handling skills went viral.

“I was just a kid playing around,” said Jurco. “I was only 13 or 14, I never thought it was going to be so popular.”

Jurco insists those days are behind him now. That’s not to say however, that the crafty winger has done any less of a job helping the puck find the back of the net in his third season in the QMJHL.

The stick work and puck movement of this 2010-11 Memorial Cup champion is hard to miss and at 6-foot-2, 193 pounds, Jurco is just as much of a physical presence as a goal scorer.

With the Saint John Seas Dogs this season, Jurco has put up 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) and is plus-28 in 30 games.

His fancy dangles also helped him edge first overall draft pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the Showdown Breakaway Challenge at the 2011 CHL/NHL Top Prospects competition.

The Red Wings prospect suited up for Team Slovakia at the Under-20 World Junior Championships over the holidays, where he put up eight points (one goal, seven assists) in five games. The Slovaks went on to a sixth place finish.

“I’m really happy with my team,” said Jurco. “I think we played good and I think we made a lot of people happy back home and that’s what we came for.”

Being in his second Under-20 tournament, on a team comprised primarily of players playing outside of North America, Jurco took on more of a leadership role. His experience playing with the likes of Team Canada’s Jonathan Huberdeau and Nathan Beaulieu in Saint John helped him fulfill that duty.

“I’m just trying to help guys and give them my advice,” he said. “I’ve played in a lot of big games in Saint John and I try to bring the experience that I have and get the guys pumped.”

A link to the video interview can be found here.

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Tieja is a regular contributor to OpenIceHockey and can be found on Twitter @tieja_mac

31 years to be exact.

In fact, head coach Roger Rönnberg was only 10-years-old the last time he witnessed his country win a gold medal at the IIHF Under-20 World Junior Championship.

This year, a lesser known, but always skilled Swedish squad worked their way to a perfect 4-0 record in round robin play before squaring off against some hefty opponents in the medal rounds.

Digging themselves out of a 3-0 deficit against the Russians in their final preliminary match proved to be one of their biggest feats. With 40 seconds remaining in the game, Anaheim Ducks prospect Max Friberg tied the score to force extra play. Friberg went on to assist Joakim Nordström’s game winner in a 4-3 final.

The overtime determinant marked the first of three for the Swedes en route to capturing gold. The team’s semifinal against Finland was determined in a shootout and the final championship game against Russia also went to overtime.

In that final game, shots favoured Sweden 50-16 after 60 minutes of regulation. Ottawa Senators prospect Mika Zibanejad was the eventual hero, scoring the “golden goal” for his country.

The scene across the pond in Stockholm was one of pride and exuberance for a country that had waited so patiently for its turn in the international hockey spotlight.

Friberg finished the tournament with 11 points in six games and was named to the tournament all-star team, along with teammate and defenseman Oscar Klefbom.

The victory has since been called the greatest hockey accomplishment for Sweden in the past century.

In one calendar year, the upstart prospect has played in the Memorial Cup tournament, played in two NHL exhibition games with the Montreal Canadiens, and earned a bronze medal in the World Junior Championships with Team Canada.

“I hope with this experience that I can bring a winning attitude to the rink every day,” he said.

The Sea Dogs couldn’t be happier with his play.

So far this season, Beaulieu has been able to fill in admirably for the departed Simon Despres. He’s scored eight goals and added 18 assists for 26 points in 30 games. Last season, in the Sea Dogs Memorial Cup championship run, he had 17 points in 19 games, and added three points in four games in the Memorial Cup. Beaulieu was named to the tournament all-star team.

“He’s very talented,” Saint John Sea Dogs head coach Gerard Gallant said. “He’s been excellent on the powerplay for us and he’s got plenty of skill.

“He plays in all situations and he’s on the ice a lot,” continued Gallant. “He’s been able to play all roles for us this year. We really like our defensive unit as a whole and [Nathan] has been a part of that.”

Beaulieu impressed former Habs coach Jacques Martin and his staff so much that he got into two exhibition games, playing alongside P.K. Subban and Josh Gorges, both experienced NHLers.

“They were excellent to play with,” he said. “They calmed me down and let me just play my own game. They settled me in.”

Beaulieu started one of the games, and played over 30 minutes in one of the contests, leading the team in ice time and prompting the Bell Centre faithful to chant his name.

Standing on the ice while the anthems played and looking up in the crowd at thousands of screaming fans was a sight he’ll never forget.

“I was star-struck,” he said. “The atmosphere was incredible.”

Beaulieu said that Martin and his staff really helped his game.

“They were very positive,” he said. “He’s an experienced coach who’s been there before, so you want to take in as much as you can. I was like a sponge out there, trying to get everything I could and working to improve my game.”

Beaulieu wants to improve a couple of things in his game before he embarks on his pro career.

“I want to look to improve my conditioning and my skating,” he said. “It can always get better. The pro game is a huge jump.

“They were really positive at camp and it helped me. [The Habs] are a team that take their time with prospects, and I’m confident I’ll be fine if I keep following their instruction.”

Gallant thinks that Beaulieu would be an even bigger force with some help on his defensive game.

“He’s been improving this already, and it’s shown in his game this year,” Gallant said. “If he keeps playing as hard on pucks in the defensive zone as he has been, and keeps his compete level and battle level up he’ll be a great professional.”