The next Mario?
Humility among top prospect's traits
Posted: Friday June 26, 1998 03:33 PM
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Savior? Lecavalier likely will be the first pick of Saturday's NHL Draft by the fledgling Lightning (AP) |
BUFFALO, New York (AP) -- Vincent Lecavalier has been making $40 a week
playing hockey and has faced NHL players only in summer pickup games.
That's about to change at the NHL Entry Draft Saturday, when he's expected
to be the No. 1 pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"I think all year there was a little pressure [to be evaluated No. 1 by the
NHL's Central Scouting Service]," Lecavalier said. "The pressure's over
now. I'm just waiting for the draft."
Lecavalier, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound center from Rimouski of the Quebec Major
Junior Hockey League tabbed as the "next Mario Lemieux," was the top-rated
North American prospect by the Scouting Service at the season's midpoint.
He maintained that ranking for the rest of the season, finishing with 44
goals and 71 assists in 58 games.
"I took it as motivation," Lecavalier said of his drive to finish No. 1 in
the rankings. "It was important to me that they rated me No. 1 halfway
through the season. I didn't want to drop down."
Lecavalier, an 18-year-old from Ile-Bizard, Quebec, is almost certain to be
the No. 1 pick, although David Legwand also is highly regarded by NHL
teams. The 17-year-old Legwand, a 6-1, 175-pound center from Grosse Pointe,
Michigan, had 105 points -- including 54 goals -- with the Plymouth Whalers
of the Ontario Hockey League.
"There are a couple of guys at the top of everybody's list," general
manager Jack Ferreira of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks
said, "and then eight or nine not quite at that level."
Among these are Bryan Allen, a 6-4, 208-pounder from the OHL's Oshawa
Generals who is considered the best defenseman in the draft. The biggest is
Mathieu Biron, a 6-6, 212-pounder from Shawinigan of the QMJHL.
Lecavalier has played against Biron.
"Everyone thought he was just big," Lecavalier said. "[But] he plays well
without the puck and is great at passing. He's got a good reach and it's
hard to get around him."
The same might be said of Lecavalier, who has a good all-around game.
Highly regarded for his hockey sense as well as his skills, he is a player
who always seems to be in the right place.
"They talk about Michael Henrich [another top prospect from the Barrie
Colts of the OHL] and the fact that he can smell the puck when he doesn't
have it in front of the net," Lecavalier said. "I just try to be in the
best position I can."
Lecavalier's biggest strength? "My speed," he said.
Lecavalier, who wears No. 4 because "my grandfather liked Jean Beliveau and
my father liked Bobby Orr," feels he will have to bulk up over the summer
to make an impact in the league.
"I've got a personal trainer and I work out twice a day, in the morning and
at night," said Lecavalier, who will be lifting weights all summer. "I'm
not the biggest and strongest guy."
He has already gotten a taste of the NHL in summer pickup games with such
NHL players as Martin LaPointe
of the Detroit Red
Wings, also a Quebec native. A mature 18-year-old who has been playing
hockey away from home since the age of 14, Lecavalier grew up idolizing
Detroit's Steve
Yzerman.
He shudders when comparisons with Lemieux are brought up. "I don't want to
be compared [to Lemieux]," Lecavalier said. "I'm only 18. Hockey has
changed. I don't think any 18-year-old can score 50 goals."
San Jose has the second pick and the expansion Nashville Predators the
third in Saturday's Entry Draft.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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