QMJHL Future Watch: Patrice Cormier

For the second straight year, the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League looks to be grooming the potential top selection for the QMJHL Midget Draft.

While the expansion Saint John Seadogs tabbed Alex Grant of the Antigonish Bulldogs first overall in 2005, left winger Patrice Cormier of Cap Pele, New Brunswick is a leading candidate to follow in Grant's footsteps.

Though Cormier will receive competition from the likes of Newfoundland native Chris Doyle, a gifted speedy center with the Notre Dame Hounds in Saskatchewan, and also Maxime Sauve, a talented blueliner playing in the Quebec Midget AAA league with the Chateauguay Patriotes.

Cormier has quickly emerged as one of the biggest rising stars in minor hockey and is no stranger to playing at older age groups. After picking up 91 points in 26 games with West Kent of the New Brunswick Bantam AAA League, he made the jump to Junior 'A' where he appeared in 31 games with the Moncton Gagnon Beavers in the 2004-05 season as a 14 year old (31-4-4-8).

At the time, Hockey New Brunswick did not allow underagers to play Midget, a rule that was later changed during the season. This allowed Cormier to finish out `04-5 with the Midget AAA Moncton Flyers where he had 14 goals and 4 assists in 13 games.

Brother Feared

Size and toughness run in the Cormier family. Older brother Kevin Cormier of the Halifax Mooseheads is one of the most feared fighters in the QMJHL and a 2004 draftee of the Phoenix Coyotes. Cut from the same cloth, the younger Cormier has proven that he can handle himself against players 4-5 years older.

Leading up to the '05-6 season, Patrice's agent considered making a pitch to the QMJHL to allow him to enter the 2005 Midget Draft under the same exception rule that allowed John Tavares to be selected by the OHL's Oshawa Generals as an underager. However, the idea was quickly rejected by Commissioner Gilles Courteau even before the Cormier camp had officially made a request.

The league has turned down similar requests in the past from the likes of Brent MacLellan and Sidney Crosby.

A big, offensively-skilled power forward, Cormier never shies from the rough going and likes to initiate physical contact. His passing and finishing skills are both top-notch which, combined with superb hockey sense, have helped fuel remarkable success at a young age.

Though he won't turn 16 until next June, Cormier already measures an impressive 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, and is back with the Moncton Beavers of the Maritime Junior 'A' Hockey League this season. Appearing in 10 of the team's 17 games so far, Patrice has a respectable three goals and seven assists.

Heading towards next June's QMJHL Midget Draft, to be hosted by the PEI Rocket just over a hour from his home in Charlottetown, Cormier is also aiming to become the fourth straight Maritimer in as many years to go first overall, following Crosby ('03), James Sheppard ('04) and Grant ('05).

One on One With Patrice...

McKeen's: Can you describe your hockey background as far as how you came up in the game?

Patrice Cormier: Well, my dad used to coach my brother so I just went to every game and when the time came that all my friends were skating, I started and I liked it. My brother helped me with my shot and my skating and showed me all the little things that he knew.

McKeen's: As an underaged rookie last season in Jr A, what things were the hardest to get accustomed to?

Patrice Cormier: It's really not that different from when I was in peewee AAA and going into bantam AAA. I just try to be the best that I can be and always be consistent and give 100%.

McKeen's: What are your thoughts on being a highly-regarded prospect in the minds of scouts at such a young age?

Patrice Cormier: I really don't try to think of that a lot because right now my thoughts are on my season with the Beavers and making Team Atlantic.

McKeen's: How would you describe your style of play?

Patrice Cormier: I would describe myself as a 'power forward' meaning that I can be physical, work hard, get the puck out of the corners, and also put the puck in the net when called upon.

McKeen's: Did your brother motivate you to play and to get better?

Patrice Cormier: Yes, that was one of my biggest motivation because everything he did, I always wanted to do the same thing. When he was training to go to the Mooseheads camp, he worked very hard and I was there right beside him doing the same thing.