MAINEiacs Performing Well at NHL Camps

Published on September 17, 2010 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Lewiston MAINEiacs News Release


Lewiston, ME (QMJHL)- This past week, the Lewiston MAINEiacs watched as six of their current players temporarily left Lewiston to attend training camp with a National Hockey League team. Those six players were: Matthew Bissonnette (Philadelphia), Samuel Carrier (Washington), Nicholas Champion (Montreal), Michael Chaput (Philadelphia), Samuel Finn (San Jose), and Pierre-Olivier Morin (Vancouver). As the MAINEiacs prepare for a pair of games against the Quebec Remparts and Chicoutimi Sagueneens this weekend, it appears that two players are on their way back to Lewiston.

The first of those players is forward Matthew Bissonnette. Bissonnette was invited to attend the Philadelphia Flyers' rookie camp. The 18-year old put forth a good showing, but did not make the main camp, bringing him back to Lewiston. Bissonnette was acquired by the MAINEiacs in a trade with Chicoutimi last season, and ended the year by scoring 31 points in 27 games with the local team. The Beaconsfield, QC native played in one game during opening weekend, dishing out an assist in Lewiston's 8-3 win on Friday night. Bissonnette hopes to join the team for the two games this weekend.

Defenseman Samuel Finn is also on his way back to Lewiston after attending rookie camp with the San Jose Sharks. The 19-year old was scoreless with seven penalty minutes in two games at the Young Stars Tournament in Penticton, BC. 2010-11 marks Finn's fourth season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, as well as his third with the MAINEiacs. Last season, the Quebec, QC native played in 60 games, recording two goals, nine assists, and 120 penalty minutes. With the extra distance to travel, Finn should to be back with the team on Monday.

Forward Pierre-Olivier Morin also played in the Young Stars Tournament, suiting up for the Vancouver Canucks. The 19-year old had quite the showing, finishing the tournament tied for third in scoring, with two goals and one assist in four games. This coming season will be Morin's third full campaign at the QMJHL level and fourth overall. The Trois-Rivieres, QC native has spent his entire career in Lewiston, scoring 95 points in 137 games, including a team-high 65 points a year ago. Morin's performance earned him an invite to the Canucks' main camp.

Goaltender Nicholas Champion was the final MAINEiac to attend a rookie camp on an invite basis, as he headed north to join the Montreal Canadiens. Unlike the Sharks and Canucks, the Canadiens did not play in a tournament, meaning that the 20-year old would have to prove his case without game action. This season is Champion's fourth and final year in the QMJHL, and his first with Lewiston. In 144 career games entering the season, the Labrador City, NL native has posted a career mark of 71-61, with a 3.11 goals against average, and a .903 save percentage. Champion earned the win for the MAINEiacs on opening night, making 25 saves on 28 shots. However, fans in Lewiston will have to wait a bit longer to see the netminder again, as he has earned a trip to the Canadiens' main camp.

Forward Michael Chaput was one of two MAINEiacs that were drafted this summer, as he was taken in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. The 18-year old attended Philadelphia's rookie camp, and was held scoreless in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals. 2010-11 is Chaput's third season with Lewiston, who selected him with the ninth overall pick in the 2008 QMJHL Entry Draft. The Montreal, QC native has 65 points in 98 career games with the MAINEiacs, including a team-high 28 goals last season. Chaput will be attending the main camp with the defending Eastern Conference Champions.

Defenseman Samuel Carrier was on the other side of the ice from Chaput on Thursday, as he attended rookie camp with the Washington Capitals. The 18-year old was drafted by Washington in the sixth round of the NHL Entry Draft this summer. This coming season will be Carrier's third in the QMJHL, as well as his second in Lewiston. Last season, the Varennes, QC native led all MAINEiacs' defensemen in scoring, with 10 goals, 32 assists, and 42 points in 66 games. Carrier will be attending the main camp with the Capitals.

The rest of the MAINEiacs will hit the ice this weekend for a pair of key divisional games on the road. The first of those games takes place on Friday night at 7:00 against the Quebec Remparts. Then, on Saturday afternoon, Lewiston will travel to Chicoutimi for a 4:00 face-off against the Sagueneens.

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from September 17, 2010


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