QMJHL: Lewiston’s New Marshall

McKeen's recently had the chance to talk with Lewiston MAINEiacs defenseman Kevin Marshall, who was drafted 41st overall by the Philadelphia Flyers at the 2007 NHL Entry draft. Marshall, who will try to help his team win a second consecutive President's Cup talks about his game, his Memorial Cup experience, his first training camp with the Flyers and his expectations on he season.

McKeen's: Can you tell us what you did before playing juniors?

Marshall: Like a lot of players, I started playing hockey when I was 4-5 years old. I grew up in Boucherville, Quebec, where I played my minor hockey. Eventually, I moved up to midget AAA for Charles-Lemoyne College. Then, I was drafted by the MAINEiacs.

McKeen's: Have you always been a defenseman?

Marshall: Since I have been young, I have always had a defensive mindset, so I always played on defense.

McKeen's: Can you tell us what type of player you have grown into the past two seasons?

Marshall: I am the type of defenseman that can play at both ends of the ice. I like to get my hands dirty sometimes, get under the other team's skin. I just want to be a tough guy to play against and make the opposition bring their A game.

McKeen's: Last year you were part of both the ADT Challenge and the Home Hardware top prospects game, what were those experiences like?

Marshall: Last year I was 17 so it was a great experience for me. It was a great opportunity because it was my draft year and I think I did well in both games. It was fun to play with and against the best of my age group. It was a different challenge.

McKeen's: How has your game evolved since you have been drafted in the Q?

Marshall: Well I'd say I'm a better skater than when I started and I make better reads. My decision-making is also a lot quicker because when you are drafted you come to a league where things go faster so you must adjust to become better.

McKeen's: Last year the MAINEiacs had a great season winning the President's Cup and participating in the Memorial Cup. How was that experience for you?

Marshall: As I said previously, as a 17-year-old it was great to be around players that were drafted and had loads of experience, like Simon Courcelles and Marc-André Cliche and other guys. We had a great team and we played well as a team. Clément Jodoin was the coach and he did a phenomenal job with us. We didn't have the biggest scorers in the league but everybody bought into the team concept and that's why we made it to the Memorial Cup.

McKeen's: What was it like playing in the Memorial Cup in Vancouver?

Marshall: I don't know how to put it exactly. We knew that it was coming because going into the Q playoffs we knew that we had a strong team and we had a great spirit. We were confident that we would be going to Vancouver. When we got there, we didn't anticipate it being as big as it was. It was the best four teams in Canada. The rink was great and there were a lot of people and a lot of media present.

McKeen's: Did the team run out of fuel at the end?

Marshall: I don't know. Maybe we were satisfied by the fact that we won the President's Cup and we went there not expecting as much. We weren't as ready as when we played the Q playoffs.

McKeen's: Bring us back to the draft. How was that experience for you?

Marshall: I was really exited for (David) Perron because he was sitting behind me the day before my selection. I was looking at him and I was like - wow he just got drafted by an NHL team (St. Louis). But the day after when it happened to me I was so exited. I couldn't believe it. I was walking everywhere with my jersey on and taking pictures all over the place. When I returned home the next day I had supper with my family and it sort of hit me, I just got drafted in the NHL.

McKeen's: What was your first training camp with the Flyers like?

Marshall: The veterans were great with the rookies. Sometimes you don't think Briere is going to care about you but during practice at the main camp he would give me pointers on what and what not to do. As an 18-year-old, I was going there for the experience and I gained a lot talking to the experienced players. Holmgren told me that the work ethic I have is pretty rare and that I had to improve my first pass because the game is quicker.

McKeen's: Many players like Jonathan Bernier say that the first year you go to an NHL camp your in awe of the pros, is it true?

Marshall: It's true. I had a two-on-one once with Briere and Gagne and the whole time I was like exited about it. I wasn't exactly focused on that I had to play them. I was more like I have Briere on my right side and Gagne on my left side, it's unbelievable.

McKeen's: What do you expect from yourself and the MAINEiacs this season?

Marshall: For my part, I expect to get better, to get stronger, faster, smarter and take on more of a leadership role. For the team, I think we struggled a bit at the beginning. We were missing some key guys and some veterans but now everybody is here. And with Ed and the other coaches' we still have a great team system and it's my kind of game. I'm sure the team will have a great season.