Back from the St. Louis Blue training camp, Quebec Remparts forward Zachary Bolduc was disappointed not to start the season in the National Hockey League, but is keeping a good attitude knowing he still had things to learn in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
“Of course I would have liked to start the season in St. Louis, play a few games, but that is not my decision. And at the same time, I know that I didn't have the training camp that I could have had. I know I could have been better,” said the Trois-Rivières native player after the Remparts practice Wednesday morning at the Videotron Center.
“But by being around guys like (Ryan) O’Reilly and (Vladimir) Tarasenko, I learned a lot,” he continues to indicate that he had grown through this experience.
"What happened was I wasn't playing with my identity, I wasn't playing with confidence, I wasn't inspired enough. I know that I will have to play with more rhythm throughout the games, not to take any shift easy, ”he continued.
More complete
Members of the Blues coaching staff have also let him know that they want to see him become a more complete player. "They all know I'm capable of scoring goals, but now they want me to improve my defensive side. They also want me, in my head, not to be just a shooter, but also to be able to prepare plays.
Bolduc also admits that he felt some pressure after rookie camp. "I was the best player in the rookie camp, but afterwards, I had a drop in intensity at the camp", he continues, also promising to discuss during the season with the new assistant coach of the Remparts, Simon Gagné, who was a good goal scorer in the NHL.
“The further the season goes, the more I should do video with him to analyze my game, because I really have to be good in all three areas. That's what (the Blues) want."
The Blues also set some goals for their 2021 first-round pick. “When they cut me, they gave me a goal of making Team Canada's junior squad this holiday and that's what I'm aiming for.” , continues Bolduc, who was happy to rejoin his teammates.
“Particularly Théo (Rochette) because we get on well together, we live together. I'm happy to still play with 'Captain Scoring'”, he concludes.
Roy's ear
One thing is certain, the Remparts' players who went to NHL camps will have the ear of their coach Patrick Roy in order to manage their return to Quebec. "It's fun to welcome all players back, they all come with a different background, they all learned a lot," said Roy, still surprised that Bolduc did not stay longer with the Bues.
"But it's still rare for a team that wants to go all the way to start the season with a young 19-year-old player. I know we're all a bit proud, like me, when I had to come back to Granby after playing ten games with the Canadiens. It always takes a little time afterwards, you have to be patient, he continues.
In eleven seasons with the Remparts, Roy says he has seen only two players who have not experienced this period of adaptation upon their return from professional camps. "The only ones who hadn't lost the 'beat' are (Marc-Édouard) Vlasic and (Alexander) Radulov," Roy said of the San Jose Sharks defender and Kazan Ak-Bars forward of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
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