Montreal Juniors come to Pointe Claire, win 3-2

The Montreal Juniors QMJHL hockey team invaded the west island last Friday, squaring off against the Gatineau Olympiques in an exhibition game at Bob Birnie Arena in Pointe Claire. Fans were treated to an excellent show, as the Juniors defeated the Olympiques 3-2 in a game that featured some of the top players from the team’s roster.

Jake Allen, property of the St. Louis Blues and one of the frontrunners for Team Canada’s World Jr. starting goaltender gig, was spectacular in his first appearance of the preseason, turning aside all 17 shots that he faced before being replaced by Étienne Marcoux to begin the third period. The former first-rounder’s athleticism and quickness were in full display, as he stymied Gatineau and allowed the Juniors to jump out to a lead six minutes into the middle frame on a goal by Guillaume Asselin.

Asselin, who scored 18 goals as a 16-year old rookie last season, was the top player on the ice. Teamed primarily with Nicholas Chouinard and Jérémy Gouchie, their line found themselves in Gatineau territory for the majority of the night, profiting with a pair of goals from Asselin, who later added the game winner.

Newly appointed McGill University men’s hockey coach and former West Island Hockey Association President, Jim Webster, was among the honoured guests. His involvement in the event highlighted that there is more than one single avenue to continue one’s hockey career.

“My appointment as the new coach of the McGill Redmen and being there to drop the opening face off for the Juniors showcased the concept that there’s a future for local kids in hockey, whether it’s in the QMJHL or at the university level,” he remarked. “I think it was really good for west island hockey.”

The Juniors have held open tryouts in the past two seasons to encourage local players’ participation. This year three west island hopefuls, Maxime Bélanger (Île Bizard), Michel Codina-Lucia (Pierrefonds) and Alexander Stephenson (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue), were in the mix, but were released a week prior to the Pointe Claire exhibition.

The Juniors’ season begins September 11th against the Shawinigan Cataractes. They are hoping to improve on last year’s finish that saw them advance to the second round of the playoffs before falling to the Drummondville Voltigeurs.