2017 Cayden Primeau Canadiens Draft Finds To Be A Hidden Gem

The 2017 NHL Entry Draft ended at the United Center in Chicago when the Canadians announced that they had traded for the seventh round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers.

It was one of those moments. Cayden Primeau was the son of former NHL player Keith Primeau and, while his father was a sturdy center for 15 seasons before a concussion put an end to his career, the young Primeau is a goalie.

"We ranked it at the top of our list and when it was still available, we made a choice to get a choice," said Deputy General Manager Trevor Timmins. He had already seen Primeau on several occasions and was repelled by scout Bill Berglund.

Primeau, who has offered the United States a gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka Under-18 tournament in 2016, is expected to be third or fourth. but his stock dropped due to negative comments from Clay Adams, his coach of the USHL's Lincoln Stars goalies.

Primeau was the last goalkeeper selected in 2017 (No. 199 total), but he emerged He is one of the best hopes after a great season at Northeastern University in Boston.

The NCAA's third-youngest hockey player posted a 19-8-5 record with a 1.92 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and four shutouts. He was one of five finalists for the Mike Richter Award for Best Goalkeeper in American University Hockey.

"I did not think of going to university and deserve all the congratulations I have," Mr. Primeau said. a break in the Canadiens development camp last weekend. "I love to question myself and I did it every day."

Primeau's first challenge was to snatch No. 1 job from Ryan Ruck, who had started both seasons preceding.

I knew we were going to fight, but I knew I wanted to be # 1 and that's what I did, "said Primeau." I learned a lot here at the development camp (last year) and I tried to apply it during the summer and the season. I am striving to improve every day. "

Primeau said the highlight of his season was the Northeastern's victory in the Beanpot, a tournament that brings together the four schools of the NCAA Division I in Boston – Northeastern, Boston College, Boston University and Harvard – in the Garden TD cleared Boston College 3-0 in the semi-final and defeated Boston University 5-2 in the final, stopping 73 of 75 shots while Northeastern won the tournament for the first time since 1988.

" It's crazy. Half of the garden encourages you and half of the garden is against you, "said Primeau." The support of elders, friends, students, it was something special. "

Primeau is looking forward to a busy summer. He will be in Kelowna, BC, next month for the US Junior Team Summer Game. This is the US team's training camp for the world junior tournament this year in Vancouver and Victoria

Primeau will return to school in the fall, but its ultimate goal is to play for Canadians.

I had to bargain for a seventh round pick and knowing that they had so much self-confidence and that they wanted me, that's my motivation for wanting to become a Canadian. of Montreal, "said Primeau

. the last two weeks. Hayden Hawkey, who was coming off a great season at Providence College, traded his rights in Philadelphia, while Zach Fucale, a second-round pick in 2013, signed with Vegas after Montreal did not offer him any money. Qualifying offer. Primeau said that there were advantages to having a father who played in the NHL.

"We play different positions, so he does not say things like I should play, but he tells me to always play hard," says Primeau. "He was at the highest level.When I was younger, I was able to be with these guys and I tried to watch the guards like (Martin) Biron. and the players he was playing with and I saw how they behaved.

"We can say we play hockey at some point, but he always says if you do not have fun, say it. me and you do not have to play anymore. At the end of the day, it's supposed to be fun. "

phickey @ postmedia.com

twitter.com/zababes1

Related