Off The Post: Bathurst GM Sylvain Couturier 

The 2006-07 season for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan has been a strange one to say the least. After a rough 3-7 start on the season, the Titan turned it around by going 13-2-1-0 in their next 16 before last Friday’s game against the MAINEiacs in Lewiston.

Goaltending was a big factor in the slow start for Bathurst as the club started off with 18 year-old Maxim Gougeon and 16 year-old Antoine Tardif between the pipes, neither one with major junior experience. Gougeon, a third round pick of the Titan in the 2005 draft (#47 overall) was very inconsistent in net, posting a 3-5 record with a 4.04 GAA and 0.848 save percentage before being sent back to Trois-Rivieres in Quebec Junior A where he played last season. Tardif was Bathurst’s top pick in the 2006 draft in the first round (#14 overall, second goaltender taken) and has been predictably shaky for a young rookie in limited duty with a 3.91 GAA and a 0.868 save percentage, but has managed a good 6-2 record.

The turning point for Bathurst happened when Titan GM Sylvain Couturier picked up 19 year-old Brant Miller from the Ontario Hockey League after Miller cleared waivers and was free to play anywhere in the Canadian Hockey League. “I think when Brant Miller arrived with the team it made a big difference. We didn’t ask our goalies to be exceptional, just to be good and that is what Brant is doing for us,” praised Couturier. “He’s making the save at the right time, and that is what we were asking right from the start, and that is what Maxim Gougeon couldn’t give us at the begining of the season. As soon as Miller got here we’ve seen a difference and we started on a winning streak right away.”

In fairness, Couturier does not pin the blame completely on Gougeon for the Titan’s slow start. “We can’t blame the difficulties of the team all on one guy. I think there were a lot of things that happened at the same time. It was a tough situation for him.”

While Miller is good for Bathurst in the short term, the long term solution in net for the Titan will likely be Tardif. and Couturier likes what he sees of his young netminder so far. He compares him to the top goaltender in Lewiston. “We think he’ll a Jonathan Bernier -type goaltender in this league,” mentions Couturier of his top pick in the past draft. ”He’s only 16 years old, but he’s really mature for his age. He’s got a great work ethic, and we really like what we see of Antoine. He had a couple bad starts right from the start, for his last five or six starts he’s been really solid and his numbers continue to improve.”

Talking about the Titan defense, Couturier expressed his happiness on the blue line, but left the window open to a possible upgrade on the point during the trade period fast approaching. “We think we have a good ‘big three’ of (Justin) Vienneau, (Mathieu) Carle and (Mathieu) Labrie. I think we’re solid there,” he said of his blueliners. “If we can improve on our number four spot, then we will look at it. In general, if you look at our defense with our six guys I think we are very satisfied with what we’ve got.”

In regards to what the Titan may do for trades when the window opens, Couturier appeared somewhat hesitant about doing too much. “For us this year, we’re happy with where we are right now,” he mentions about his club. “We have sixteen players coming back next year, so we don’t want to go crazy during the trading period and go and trade a few young guys for a veteran. We will be careful with what we are doing, if we can improve our team for this year, we will do it, but the price will have to be right.”

On the topic of the two referee system in the league, Couturier was much more reserved and patient with the system than the three previous GMs that I have spoken with. Ultimately due to the nature of the game today, he feels the two-referee system is inevitable.”It’s a bit early to judge, there will be an adjustment period,” he noted. “But I think in general with the quickness of the game that it’s going to come down to two referees. I think there won’t be any other option than to go to two referees because of the new rules and the quickness of the game.”

Another issue that has received differing perspectives in discussions with GMs is one of the schedule, and Couturier is no different. While he views the three games in three days as a virtual necessity given the nature of minor hockey needing to maximize attendance, it’s how the league arranges the schedule over the three days that bothers him. “I can understand the league wants to play three games in three nights on the weekend. I think it’s good for the fans, there is a lot more people at the games on the weekend, but at the same time there has to be some new rules or new direction,” he points out. ”Like tonight, we play a game at 7:00 and then we have to travel to Shawinigan and play an afternoon game (4:00). Those guys (the players) are only human, and I think that is something that needs to be reviewed and take a look at. I think there is improvement to be made there. I understand the three games in three nights being played on the weekend, but there should be a 24 hour rule between each game.” He continues by bringing up recent examples of how the Titan have been affected by the schedule, and the effects on the players. “It’s really tough. We play here tonight at 7:00, tomorrow at 4:00 and another 6:00 game on Sunday. We had another three game in three night at the begining of the season where had an 8:00 game in Val d’Or on Saturday night and a 4:00 game the next day in Gatineau on Sunday and that was really bad. I understand the league, they want to put as many games as they can on the weekends, but at the same time those kids need to recouperate after each game. It’s dangerous for injuries, dangerous for everybody.”

Another common question that I have asked GMs recently is one of current schedule involving the number of times one team plays another within the division, and inquiring if it may be too much in certain cases. Couturier offered his perspective on that. “I think it’s a lot. Last year we played Saint John ten times, it’s a lot of games, but at the same time, you have to look at the big picture and for us it’s good,” he said of the structure. “It’s a short trip, we go there, we come back after the game and don’t have to spend the night over there. For the team, I think it’s good, but for the fans seeing the same team ten times in the season is a little bit hard.”

On the idea that Halifax GM Marcel Patenaude brought up of a more balanced schedule, the one factor Couturier brings up, is St. John’s. “I think it’s something that the league has to look at, for sure. In our division, we have St. John’s Newfoundland, for them it would be tougher. You have to look at them coming into the league and paying that big amount of money ($3 million CDN), and I am not that they want to play us eight times or six times and have to travel that much. You have to look at everyone in it I think, as long as everyone is on the same pedestal, we should be alright.”

Let’s Do Two With The Devils

The St. John’s Fog Devils will roll into the Androscoggin Bank Colisee for a double dip this weekend. This seasons Fog Devils team is not as rough and tumble as it was last season, but Head Coach & GM Real Paiement’s boys will bring a physical presence to Lewiston and try to knock off the hottest team in the Canadian Hockey League. Fog Devil Tim Spencer (formerly of Moncton) and the MAINEiacs Tristan Manson will be likely combatants, and the gritty Ryan Graham who can play a good physical game as well as a decent touch around the net might be a candidate for a Gordie Howe hat trick (a goal, an assist, a fight). St. John’s comes in to the twin cities just 1-4 in their last 5, having dropped two last weekend at Mile One to Val d’Or.

Friday, December 1st is Friday Night Ice at the MAINEiacs – the ultimate fan experience!  The first 1000 fans through the gates will receive a CHL/QMJHL Prospects magazine that has a feature article on MAINEiacs goaltender Jonathan Bernier.  At this game one lucky fan will shoot for $200 into an open net from center ice as we continue our Lewy’s Loot Shoot promotion. Also if there are 3000 or more fans in the building we will give away $1000 cash to the winner of our Last Fan Standing Promotion.  Following the game MAINEiacs players Simon Courcelles, Marc-Andre Perron, David Perron & Sebastien Piche will be in the Shipyard Lounge.

Saturday, December 2nd is game 2 of this weekend doubleheader with the St. John’s Fog Devils.  This game will feature our Bedard Medical Chuck-A-Puck where all proceeds will benefit the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society and Seniors Plus - Meals on Wheels.  Also if there are 3000 or more fans in the building we will give away $1000 cash to the winner of our Last Fan Standing Promotion.  Following the game MAINEiacs players Jonathan Bernier, Marc-Andre Cliche, Patrick Cusack & Danick Paquette will be in the Shipyard Lounge.

Look forward to seeing all of you at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee this weekend!

News, rumours, questions, and comments appreciated. offthepost@lewistonhockey.com