Maine Hockey Journal

Lewiston followed through on their plan

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Lewiston, ME– Just a few days after the QMJHL Draft, the Lewiston Maineiacs stuck to their guns heading into the draft.

“We went in as a staff with a plan, we are very pleased on how we executed the plan,” says Maineiacs Head Coach and President Don MacAdam said. “Every players we got, we absolutely wanted and was on our list. It wasn’t a matter or situation where we will take him because the guy we really wanted was gone.”

Francis Beauvillier, a forward out of Quebec, was Lewiston’s first selection.

“We had an opportunity to interview prior to the draft and he was very impressive in his interview,” says MacAdam. “(He’s) an excellent skater but needs to get stronger. He got a nice physical dimension to his game, he’s got an excellent scoring touch, and has a well rounded offensive game.”

Just like in Central Scouting report, MacAdam and scouts saw he needs to work on his vision and consistancy.

“He’s good in the corners and likes to drives the net,” MacAdam said. “One thing he needs to improve his vision and consistancy. Consistancy, that’s no surprise, with young players.”

With the eleventh selection, they selected Jean François Plante also of Quebec.

“(Plante) has good offensive instincts and the potential to be a prolific goal scorer,” says MacAdam. “He has decent size, at 5’11 and 182, he has a great shot, and is a good skater.”

In the second round, the team picked goaltender Jordan Kennedy from the Cape Breton Tradesman.

“Even though there were other goalies rated higher in the draft but our guys had him number one,” says MacAdam. “They love his competiveness, size, and his basic skills. He always stays squared to the puck, and I saw him a couple of games as well, and I like the way he played.”

The 6’3 netminder is ready to come in to challenge for the number selection.

“I don’t want to come in there and make any enemies, but I really want to go in there and battle for the No. 1 job,” Kennedy said to the Sun Journal.

“We wouldn’t want a guy come in with any other attitude then that,” says MacAdam on Kennedy’s comment.

Samuel Henley who was rated by 24th by Central Scouting was Lewiston’s 3rd round selection. MacAdam told the Sun Journal he was impressed with Henley. The team didn’t have any thoughts of moving up to grab him.

“We had a plan and we felt comfortable where we had every player slotted, for a particular pick in each round,” says MacAdam. “We got Henley where exactly we thought where would get him.”

The overall concensus from the experts was the lack of depth at the forward position. They took three forwards with their first four picks but the lack of depth wasn’t the reason why they didn’t select a defenseman until the fourth round.

“We wanted to take two forwards because we had a greater need in our mind for skill up at front,” MacAdam said. “We wanted two forwards, a goaltender and a defenceman with our first four picks. We got guys we are really excited about.”

Defenseman Stephen Woodworth of the Valley Wildcats was Lewiston’s fouth rounder.

“(He’s) a hardnose player,” MacAdam stated. “He’s a long shot in some people’s eyes but on the other side of things, number of our scouts think he could make the team.”

MacAdam believes any player in the later rounds has a shot to make the team according to his scouts.

“Our scouts feel any of the players we drafted has possibility of making the team.”

Right now there are no plans as of yet to have any draft picks to come to town before training camp.

“We haven’t made of any plans to this point,” said MacAdam “We have a couple of things we are looking at and it might be something we do.”

For more information about the Maineiacs’ draft picks visit here.

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