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Simon-Olivier Lorange
Press
Never say never. But let’s say, in the simplest way, that the clues don’t converge there. His 30 goals in 31 games, in his last NCAA season, say a lot more about what the Canadiens expect of his player.
However, after general manager Marc Bergevin mentioned it a few days ago, Caufield himself indicated that he had improved his defensive game on Monday morning: he now sees himself as a much more complete player than his impressive offensive harvest.
His second year in the college ranks has matured him, he says, and he now takes a lot of “pride” in “playing better in all three zones.”
“And I can’t wait to show it,” he told Montreal media representatives by videoconference.
Less than 24 hours after suffering elimination from the NCAA National Championship with the Wisconsin Badgers, Caufield signed his first professional contract on Saturday and must set sail for the metropolis on Monday.
Forty awaits him upon his arrival: seven days of complete isolation at the hotel, after which he will join the Laval Rocket, as agreed with the team.
The Habs also specified that the new exemption granted to professional athletes returning to the country means that they must in reality submit to a 14-day quarantine, like all people arriving from abroad, but that the days 8 to 14 can take place in the bubble of their respective team.
Caufield will therefore be able to start training with the Rocket early next week.
In a press briefing, the 20-year-old striker explained that his vision for his role on the ice had changed over the past year. With the help of Tony Granato, his coach with the Badgers, he completely revised his “approach”.
“Now I think about playing well in the defensive zone first and then getting out of it as quickly as possible by carrying the puck,” explained the young man. Everyone knows I can score goals, which I can do in the attacking zone, [mais] Granato helped me understand the importance of the “other side” of the puck. This mindset has helped me in all three zones. ”
Next step
With a three-year contract in his pocket that will come into effect this season if he plays a game with the Canadiens, Caufield can now focus on the next stage of his development and chase dozens of questions about him, most of which were starting. by “when” and “how”.
Even if we understand by his expression that he would have gladly made the jump directly to the NHL, he says he readily supports the plan that sends him to the American League. “Everyone thinks it’s the best for me right now,” he summed up, adding that the American League “is a good league” which has produced “a lot of good players. “. He wants to play there “at [sa] way ”and show what he is capable of.
From talking to his former teammates Jack Hughes and Trevor Zegras, who are already in the NHL, he knows he has to do “good things” to “win his ice time”.
“The work is starting now,” he said. I can’t wait for it to start. ”
Regarding the high expectations of him, he points out that he sets very ambitious goals for himself. Earning the Hobey-Baker Trophy, awarded to the MVP of the season in the NCAA, was one of those goals at the start of the season. He will know over the next few days if he made it – he is one of the favorites.
He never concealed that he would have liked to take the jump sooner, but this additional year at university has allowed him to mature “on and off the ice”. Pandemic forces, he notably spent more time in the gym. He’s still a featherweight figure at 170 pounds, but he’s gained some trunk nonetheless – he weighed 163 pounds when drafted. He already claims to benefit from it in puck protection, in particular.
Every extra gram could indeed serve him, since for the first time in his life he will be playing against opponents who are not part of his age group. Rather, he will be faced with men older than 5, 10, even 15 years old, with the physical maturity and experience to go along with it.
Here again, Caufield does not take offense. Resolutely full of confidence, he assures us that he is ready for this challenge.
“There will obviously be things to adjust, but I don’t think that will be a problem,” he said. I have adjusted to all levels so far. ”
And to repeat: “I can not wait to get to work. ”
To be continued in a week. Until then, he has homework to finish. It is he himself who says it.
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