Loic Lacasse Q&A

Loic Lacasse for the last couple of years has been a staple of rookie evaluation camp, with a style and demeanor that reminded some of Mathieu Garon in some aspects, there seems to be a consensus that Loic has been somewhat the forgotten story of the Habs goalie line with better profiled kids in the system such as Cedric Desjardins and for a bit of time Yann Danis it was easy to completely forget about Lacasse once Missiaen was drafted this year.

But don't count Lacasse out ! after his journeys in the Q, OHL and more recently pro-league IHL, Loic is back in camp this year with allot to prove and a will to shatter any perceptions we've had about him in the past.

Q - Loic, during your draft years there seemed to be a consensus on you being a good fast goalie with well balanced agility and strength, talk to us a bit about the skill and mindset( as well as the evolution ) a goalie goes through when he comes out of draft day, and gets into the mold of a guy like Melanson ?

A - The focus is very quickly put in what is in your head, they go to big extents to figure that out and it's very important because it is 90% of the job, once they are sure you are the mental part is strong, your technique is put to the test and they find every hole you can imagine ! finally of course ... can you stop the puck ?

Q - You've mentioned that Rollie puts a big emphasis on the mental part of things, how do you reinforce that part of your game ?

A - It's so primordial and essential, people can't even start to realise, I mean thats what it's all about, can you get back into the groove after giving up a bad goal ? that is the main difference between a number one guy and well ... an ok goalie, on my side I tried different things but what helped alot was excelling around older players gaining the confidence that you can stop someone who is that much more developed in his game and experienced than you are.

Q - Some analysts say there will be a heck of a battle between you and Cedric Desjardins come camp, what is your perspective on that, how are you approaching this camp ?

A - I've got nothing to lose, everything to win, I hope the others know that coming into camp as I'm going to give everything I have, I want to show them I'm a solid guy in every and all perspectives, leave it all on the table.

Q - Do you agree with some of them sayng it will take a spectacular camp for you to come back in the Habs crosshair ? Do you think they've exagerated the importance of this camp ?

A - Well ... No they're not exagerating, but don't get me wrong, I want to prove myself during camp, but camp is camp and the season will be even more telling on the improvements I've made, I want a good camp to transfer over to the season, thats for sure.

Q - Talk to us about your summer training, did the Habs ask you to work on anything in particular ?

A - Well I definitly have to get there in top shape, I've been non-stop this summer at Allard Training in St. Hilaire so I'm sure I've got that covered.

Q - Talk to us about the IHL Praire Thunder and how you approached these last few months with them, is it a step over the Q to a big extent ?

A - Well it is in many aspects, especially that you have much older guys there, shooting at you all day and a good coaching staff, I was pleased to have a good season with them and that was the bottom line for me, push as hard as I could to have an excellent season.

Q - I don't think I've ever interviewed a goalie who's played in the OHL and Q, did you see a big difference from your end of the ice ?

A - Well the caliber felt similar, but yeah the styles are really different on some aspects.

Q - Well I have to ask you this for all the guys wondering out there, whats on your Ipod here ?

A - Well, a bit of everything, Country, Metal, Rap, I'm all over the place ...

Q - Equipment wise what pads are ou using this year ?

A - Pads are all Nike Bauer One 95, the stick is a Bauer Vapor XXXX

Q&A with Thomas Beauregard

At 5'11 and a nose for the net, it's hard to pinpoint what made Thomas Beauregard an undrafted overager skating for The Acadie Bathurst Titan. Little was known about the Montreal native until the day GM Bob Gainey made him part of the Canadiens family with a minor league contract last year.

Scouted Strengths are : Good hockey sense with well rounded decision making in the offensive zone, when on his game extremely effective and dominant in all three zones.

Scouted Weaknesses: Mitigated play in his zone, skating and speed needs to improve dramatically

Our conclusion: Hardest Habs training prospect ... ever ...

Q - During your draft year I remember the fateful words from one of the Blue Jackets scouts being : Injury prone. However any critics were quickly silenced after your last brilliant year in junior, talk to us about the spark that led you to the Habs organization.

A - I've always been one to shut out that kind of criticism and work as hard as I can. Hockey is in some ways an extreme contact sport and sure I've had my small share of injuries, but I've never given up, I persevered and worked as hard as I could, never considered quitting, and stuff happens when you show your that kind of guy.

Q - I was impressed to find out you have a bit of a following on the internet, some hockey fans see you as a passer but from what I've observed your not that far removed from being a pure sniper how do you see your game ?

A - Well ... I don't really consider myself a spectacular player, I've noticed allot of my goals come from about 15 feet out, I guess I've got a good eye for the net ... do I ?

Q - Most memorable goal ?

A - Oh ... ask some of the Halifax Mooseheads, I remember at my last year I deked about 4 guys to put one in ... that was a good one

Q - Talk to us about your year in Cincinnati, what were your expectations, personal objectives ?

A - Well ... at first dissapointed to be there, I mean it sucks to realise your at the bottom step and the way up is pretty high, it took a while to get used to that city, I really badly wanted to get back to Hamilton and played my heart out to get there, the funny thing is that Cincinnati is forever in m heart now that we've clinched the Kelly cup, thats something that never goes away ...

Q - Questionning some scouts about you the '' plus's '' were unanimous, a great shot, creates his own chances, the minus's were skating a defensive play , how do you describe your own game and progression ?

A - Well there's no doubt I consider myself as an offenisve zone kinda guy, it's been following me around since minor hockey, but ... I've definitly been increasingly aware of my play without the puck, sure it's fun in the minors to score goals but thats not what takes you to the NHL level, I'm pretty confident I've progressed on that aspect and all the others too !

Q - Meeting Timmins, he mirrored your words when talking about the improvement in your game, did the Habs insist ( or put an emphasis ) on you improving one aspect of your game ?

A - Well not really, just gain more confidence in the defensive zone, I definitly want to show them I am a more complete player.

Q - How did your training go this summer ?

A - Wow ! Well I'm at it 5 days a week off and on the ice, I'm being trained by Pierre Allard in St-Hilaire and followed a load of classes with Scott Livingston at the Bell Centre to rehabilitate a bit, everything has been going on brilliantly

Q - Objectives for 2009 ?

A - Well off the bat, Full time member of the Bulldogs, Habs camp is a about to start so I won't set too lofty goals, just work my brains off ...

Q - Who was your idol growing up ? do you model your play after a player in particular ?

A - Funny enough my big brother David-Alexander growing up, everyone thought after his accident his career would be over, and 2-3 months later he's back on the ice, it was so inspiring for me, He is the ultimate warrior ( To read the Sports Illustrated story, click here )
As for a player in particular ... I don't know ... some people have compared me to Michael Ryder
but I disagree, they are who they are, I am who I am.

Q - What sticks are you using ?

A - Heard about Ballistick hockey sticks ? brand new company ! the curbe is ... well a bit of a Joe Sakic curve ...

Q - Skates ?

A - Those new Rbk 9 skates, I like them sharpened very lightly, never liked a deep cut !

Q&A with Danny Kristo

Little was known about Danny Kristo when the Habs made him their first selection in 2008, on the homefront we knew that we could expect big things from Danny this year due to the fact he's always been a go to guy for the USHL, but what kind of player is Danny Kristo, what does he bring to the equation and most importantly how does he fit the Hab's equation.

Danny Kristo is 6 ft tall 180 Lbs right winger, born in Eden Prairie Minnesota

Scouted Strengths are : North\South Speed with Elite level decision making in all three zones, hard worker with puck possession tenacity.

Scouted Weaknesses : East\West mobility overall gritiness needs improvement as well as his ability to stand out from the pack. needs more imposing confidence to his game and toughness.

Puckmania caught up with Danny as he's preparing for a new Season, and got to learn allot from him ( including his love of Waffles ! )

Q - I was surprised to find out you've decided to join the Ranks of the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota instead of heading to your State's University of Minnesota in 2009 , can you give us some insight into your decision ?

A - I never grew up a Minnesota fan. I always wanted to play for Nodak.We have some family ties to North Dakota so i wanted to play there.

Q - What are your personal and team objectives going back to school this year ?

A - Definitly, my goal for this year is to make World Juniors and to play to the best of my ability. somewhere along top 3 scorers in the USHL would be great. As far as team, the Omaha Lancers won it all last year. I don't think anything less than that the team would be happy with.

Q - Talk to us about going to Russia for the U18's how did that experience mesh into the weave of experiences you've had this year ?

A - Going to Russia was very different. the tournament was great and very fun. i wish we would have came out on top but we fell short. as far the travel and everything it was very demanding. i got food poisoning at the start of the medal round.

Q - Prospect camp must have been an interesting experience, the media here was quick to notice your smooth skating and accurate shot, is there anything in particular Hab's brass wants you to work on ?

A - A lot of people say im a good skater but you can always improve there. i still need to get stronger and work on the little parts of my game.

Q - Describe your reaction the first time you saw Missiaen in goal ?

A - When I saw Jason the only thing I said was where the hell do i shoot? five hole?

Q - Allot of fans are curious about a prospect's mindset going into the combine and draft, what did you find the most grueling ? over two dozen interviews or sitting on that bench waiting to hear your name ?

A - The whole process is a good experience. It was stressful and difficult but exciting. I think the hardest part differs per player. for me it was the bike test at the combine and the interviews.

Q - Talk to us about your experience meeting the Habs at the Combine, did Trevor seem to put the emphasis on certain abilities vis a vis others ?

A - The meeting at the combine went well. I remember it and thought that they liked me after. It was pretty mellow and not to stressful.

Q - One of the funnier comments we've had was Timmins telling us : He's like a young buck in the headlights now, but watch his feet ... he's got really quick feet." Was the initial '' wow '' effect a bit overwhelming at first ? It reminded me allot of a comment he made about Chris Higgins several years ago, so your in good company !

A - Glad i could get compared to Chris Higgins ! But everything is overwhelming at first you tend to deal with it.

Q - Who was your idol growing up ? Was Hockey always your sport ? Any favorite teams then ( it's ok we'll forgive you if it isn't the Habs but it can't be the Bruins ... )

A - Growing up I loved hockey, I would have to say my favorite player is TJ Oshie. I now can say that he is my favorite NHL player now that he has signed. Mike richards from Philadelphia also.

Q - Equipment related : What Skates are you presently sporting ? Any prefered sharpening pattern ?

A - I'm using brand new Stuff from Reebok this year ! ( 9K Reebok )

Q - What stick - Curve style do you presently play with ?

A - Right now, the Easton Special Edition 85 flex Iginla Curve !

We're Back !!!!

After being on hiatus due to weird clauses ( journalism can be a jealous business ! ) We're back on track and posting interviews and my long awaited training camp report ! Be on the lookout for new stuff ! starting today !