2023-06-06 20:43:12
The Acadian from Saint-François de Madawaska, New Brunswick, played the last two seasons with Penticton in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
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Next season, however, the 18-year-old forward will have the chance to play a little closer to home as he plays for the University of Maine, regarding three hours away from his hometown.
His 19-year-old brother Josh will then be his teammate.
“My dad was really happy,” Bradly said. I’m pretty sure he won’t miss any home games. »
Josh made an official visit to Maine before the COVID-19 pandemic, and Bradly had accompanied him.
“After watching the game there, with the atmosphere that was electric, I knew I wanted to experience that someday,” Bradly said.
With travel restrictions in effect during the pandemic, the Nadeaus were unable to visit other universities, and when Josh signed up with Maine, Bradly’s decision to follow his brother was much easier.
“Maine was the only [université] that I might visit, so the only campus that I might see, the only arena, that kind of thing, and that’s kind of why I chose to go there, explained Bradly. And since I knew that my brother was also going to attend this school, that influenced my decision a little. »
Maine will be able to rely on one of the most explosive scorers of the last season in junior hockey. Nadeau (5-foot-10, 161 pounds), ranked 17th on NHL Central Scouting’s final list among North American skaters, led the BCHL with 68 assists and 113 points, in more than finishing tied for first with 45 goals in 54 games. He won the league’s Most Valuable Player honor in both the regular season and the playoffs, helping Penticton win the championship with 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists), which tied him with Josh for first in scoring.
And Nadeau accomplished all that as a right-hander playing on the left wing.
“It’s an interesting decision to play on the other wing, because it’s a disadvantage in defensive territory, as a player can have difficulty getting out of his zone if he makes a turn on his strong side, Central Scouting director David Gregory pointed out. So you have to be smart, have quick hands, and those are two qualities he has. In the opposing zone, however, this disadvantage turns into an advantage for him, since he sees the entire game in front of him. »
A new app to the rescue
NHL Central Scouting has created an app for the first time ever, and all 106 prospects on site for the Roundup can download it to their mobile device. It contains all the information they need to navigate through the panoply of interviews with NHL teams, as well as their medical and physical tests.
“In the past, we had a hundred young men running around trying to find where they needed to go for their medical tests or their physical tests, and there was always someone who was not in the right place in the right place. moment,” Gregory said. With this app, we are able to communicate with the players, and let them know where they need to go. »
The reviews have been rave reviews so far.
“They really have everything in there, the schedule of events, our personal schedule, all things like that, as well as room numbers for interviews with every NHL team,” the Kelowna forward marveled. Andrew Cristall. It’s really good and easy to use. »
Same story on the side of Wisconsin striker Charlie Stramel.
“There’s a lot more information than just our schedule, like gym hours or meal times,” Stramel said. It’s easy to open, easy to create an account. It’s very convenient because we always have our phone with us. »
Bjarnason vs Danielson
Carson Bjarnason and Nate Danielson have developed a strong friendship during their two seasons as teammates with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL), and they spend quality time as roommates at the assessment session.
Bjarnason is at the top of Central Bureau’s final list for North American goaltenders. Danielson, a center who led Brandon with 78 points (33 goals, 45 assists) in 68 games, is seventh in the final standings for North American skaters.
“We’re competitive in every practice, so if I get the better of him one day, I’m going to annoy him. And he does the same if he’s got the upper hand, Danielson said. It’s all fun, and at the end of the day, we’re just trying to push each other to be better. »
This week, they pushed themselves to keep their room clean. But when it comes to the TV remote, Bjarnason defers to Danielson, who is nine months older.
“He always likes to see the good stuff on YouTube following a meal and watch ‘Good Good Golf’ or something like that,” Bjarnason said.
Being able to rely on each other in this year of draft eligibility has been very helpful for both young men.
“Not everyone can count on the support of someone who understands what’s going on,” Danielson said. It’s good that we can support each other and discuss all this together. »
Hockey on the rise in Florida
University of Michigan forward Gavin Brindley grew up in a place where hockey’s popularity is unlikely, in Estero, Florida.
The city is home to the Florida Everblades, who are chasing a second straight ECHL Kelly Cup title and making the final for the fourth time in 11 seasons. Gavin’s father, Ryan Brindley, spent the last five seasons of his professional career as a defenseman with the Everglades.
Gavin is also regarding a two-hour drive from the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, where Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights will be played on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; TNT, TVS, truTV, CBC, SN, TVAS). And he’s regarding the same distance south of Tampa, where he watched the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate their Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021 and reach the Finals once more last year.
The presence of a Florida team in the finals for a fourth consecutive season only helps the growth of hockey’s popularity in the southern state of the United States.
“It’s so ‘cool’,” said Brindley, who is No. 23 on Central Board’s final list for North American skaters. “For young people who watch hockey and want to become hockey players, it’s the coolest thing in the world. When I was young, see Sidney Crosby lifting the Cup was the greatest moment in the world.
“It’s been great to see the Panthers and the Lightning excel in the last few years, it’s made the sport grow in Florida. There are more and more good young hockey players hatching in Florida. Let’s hope that will continue. »
*Photo credit: Jack Murray/Penticton
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