Maine Hockey Journal

Brian Billett is ranked by NHL Central Scouting

strong>Kennebunk, ME– Brian Billett could be the next Mainer to be drafted into the NHL. He was ranked by NHL Central Scouting as B prospect for the 2010 NHL Draft earlier this month.

“It is nice to see that,” Brian Billett said. “However, I would like to be able to get to the A list rather than the B list so I’m not completely happy with it.”

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He rebounded during the Tier III Junior A National tournament where he was a perfect 5-0, with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.

He’s going to use the B ranking as motivation to get better.

“Next year I want to be drafted into the NHL,” Billett said. “I’m going (to) train a lot harder this year so that I am picked in a higher round; that would be the ultimate goal.”

According to Joe Exter, USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program’s goalie coach, Billett has a strong work ethic already.

“He competes and works hard (in games and practices),” Joe Exter said. “He made a big improvements both from a technical game and athletic positive game where he was a year ago. We hope he takes the same tools we told him this year and continues to grow and develop.”

It has been a busy summer for Billett on the ice. He took part in USA Hockey’s Warren Strelow National Team Goaltending Camp in late May and competed in the Select 17’s in Rochester, New York earlier this month. He had a little bump in the road at the event where he had .818 save percentage and a 6.40 goals-against average.

“The Select 17’s didn’t go as well as I wanted them too,” Billett added. “I just had a couple of bad games at the wrong time. I’m not too worried about it though because I know I’m a lot better than I showed there. I just need to be able to perform at a high level every time I’m on the ice.”

Billett has also competed in other summer hockey camps but says the Hockey Night in Boston elite camp will be the last time he hits the ice before training camp.

“Summer hockey has been going pretty well,” he added. “It’s been really hectic lately but once I’m done with the new (Hockey Night in Boston) Elite Division, I will (be) off the ice until preseason with the Monarchs.”

This upcoming season will be his second in the Monarchs organization.

“The coaching I receive and the organization is second to none. I’m really looking forward to another year with them.”

Boston College doesn’t have any complaints about his development.

“Coach (Jerry) York and the rest of the coaching staff said that they are happy with my development so far,” Billett said. “As long as my game keeps progressing, I think that they will be happy with my play.”

In June, he was drafted by the Moncton Wildcats in the eighth round of the QMJHL Draft . Billett doesn’t see the QMJHL as an option if Boston College doesn’t work out.

“If something were to happen, I would seek another college route rather than going to the QMJHL,” Billett mentioned.

Notes: Billett wasn’t the only player who has roots in Maine to be ranked by Central Scouting. The Lewiston Maineiacs have two players on the list. Samuel Carrier who was acquired in the trade with the Quebec Remparts earlier this summer is ranked as an A player. Michael Chaput, who missed most of last season with an injury is ranked as a B prospect. .

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