The Canadian | Encouraged by Corey Perry, Cole Caufield in Laval to “work”

Did anyone, somewhere, still doubt the influence that Corey Perry may have had in the Habs locker room last season?

Simon-Olivier Lorange
Press

The 36-year-old veteran, now a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, was one of the first people to come into contact with Cole Caufield after the young forward was handed over to the Laval Rocket on Monday.

An obvious mentoring relationship had developed between the two teammates during the playoffs last spring and summer. Obviously, it continues despite the distance.

A former first-round pick himself, Perry reminded Caufield that he, too, hadn’t had a clear path to the NHL. After being selected by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 2003, he played two more full seasons in the junior ranks – not least because of the lockout that crippled the league in 2004-2005. And in his rookie season, even though he started the campaign in Anaheim, he played 19 games in the American League. He became a dominant player with the Portland Pirates and did not play in the American League thereafter. Here he is today, at 36, with more than 1,100 games and 800 points in the NHL.

Perry “went through the same stages, several guys too,” Caufield admitted Tuesday morning after his first practice with the Rocket. “It’s not at all about pushing the panic button. I come here to work. I want to simplify my game. It’s a process; you have to believe in it and make the most of it. ”

Several teammates of the Canadiens have also contacted him, he said.

Find your game

The virtues of hard work were omnipresent in the young man’s address.

It must be said that the theme was indicated. After two high-scoring games followed by two days off, and with the Rocket not playing until Saturday, head coach Jean-François Houle has planned training exclusively devoted to small group battles (one on one, two against two, three against three) and in a confined space. A long session of high intensity skating concluded the hour of hard work.

Caufield, who always has a smile on his face, put on a serious face throughout practice, and even afterwards when he spoke to reporters.

Limited to a single assist in 10 meetings with the Habs this season, the 20-year-old American does not intend to laugh. He nevertheless wants to derive pleasure from this new experience which is offered to him, the time to “find his game”. “It will be good for me,” he believes.

Marc Bergevin and Dominique Ducharme, respectively general manager and head coach of the Canadiens, were frank with him. We want him to see a lot of ice in Laval and regain the confidence that animated him at the end of the season and in the playoffs just a few months ago.

As luck would have it, his arrival in Laval coincided with the team’s annual photo shoot. However, he does not hide: his goal is to be called back to Montreal “as soon as possible”.

The last 24 hours have been busy, especially emotionally, but he says he’s keeping a cool head. “I’ll learn from this and come back stronger,” he promises. I am excited about this challenge. ”

If the training has been a sign of his seriousness, the signs are encouraging. Talk to defender Terrance Amorosa, completely overwhelmed by the small winger along the board, or goalkeeper Cayden Primeau, who saw nothing of the violent shot Caufield unleashed without warning during a two-on-two duel. The puck hit the post with full force. But the marker still beat the keeper.

“Not the end of the world”

Invited to comment on the situation of his young teammate, Xavier Ouellet, captain of the Rocket, has more than once recalled that he was “part of the life of a professional hockey player” to be ceded to the minor leagues then to be recalled.

“A young player has to learn to deal with it and come out better,” said the defender.

Ouellet speaks knowingly: Now 28, he’s had 12 referrals in the American League – four with the Detroit Red Wings and eight with the CH.

Caufield’s positive attitude, the veteran believes, will be his biggest asset. “With age it’s easier to digest, but he still plays hockey for a living. His job on the ice is the same. He has to make the difference in the games, that he continues to improve. Sometimes taking a few steps back helps you move forward. ”

And to conclude: “It’s not the end of the world, on the contrary. ”

Jean-François Houle preached in the same direction. “There is nothing there, come and play in the American League!” He exclaimed.

“He’s going to have a lot of ice time, he’s going to find his bearings and touch the puck more. It’s going to be fine for him. ”

Caufield is only 20 years old, he recalled. And without his status as a leading hopeful, this conversation wouldn’t even take place.

“Most guys spend three or four years in the American League,” said Houle. Even for first or second round choices […], if you have mistakes to make, it’s a lot less worse than making them in the NHL. Making mistakes is part of hockey, this is where you learn. ”

The coach said he spoke with his counterpart Dominique Ducharme on “certain points” to work with Caufield, but did not further explain the content of the discussion. However, he expects this “maverick” to send more pucks to the net.

The young man will certainly not be asked to return to his specialty.

Flowers for Michael Pezzetta

You don’t need a doctorate in psychology to measure how well-liked Michael Pezzetta is in the Rocket’s locker room. The spirited 23-year-old winger, recalled by the Canadiens, will play his first NHL game this Tuesday night against the Detroit Red Wings. Sixth-round pick in 2016, the Ontarian has come a long way, he who was certainly not expected to become the Habs first recall this season. The strong impression he left at the big club’s training camp, as well as his prolific start to the season (6 points in 8 games), however, earned him this award. It was Jean-François Houle who told him the good news. He described an emotional moment, as much for his player as for him. Those kinds of moments, “that’s why I coach,” he confessed. “I am very proud of him. “Houle spoke of a player who” has not always had it easy “and who” worked “for three years with the Rocket. Pezzetta brings “energy” to both the ice and the bench, where he constantly encourages his teammates. “I can’t wait to see his first game,” added Xavier Ouellet.