Michael Chaput reacts from being traded from Philadelphia to Columbus

For Michael Chaput he didn’t know how to feel about seeing his NHL rights being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday afternoon.

“It was sort of awkward and surprising, I didn’t know what to expect,” said Michael Chaput. “Columbus called me yesterday and it was pretty exciting actually.”

“Columbus saw something in me, so that’s a positive for sure.”

Chaput didn’t find out about the trade from his agent, the Blue Jackets, the Philadelphia Flyers, or the Maineiacs, but rather a family member.

“I found out after practice, my cousin texted me and he said, “I heard you got traded to Columbus,” said Chaput. “I thought it was a joke at first, but I actually went to look on the internet and it was true.”

Chaput has heard from the Columbus Blue Jackets management.

“The GM (Scott Howson), the assistant GM (Chris MacFarland), and the Director of Player Development (Don Boyd) all spoke to me and they are all happy with the trade that they made,” Chaput said.

“I am looking forward to go there this summer.”

He understands why the Flyers traded his rights.

“It’s hockey, it’s business, they do what they have to do to get players and I am not mad or anything,” Chaput said. “I am going to get the chance some where else and I will take the opportunity.”

At the end of the day, he got the chance to speak to his brother Stefan who was traded late Sunday night from the Anaheim organization to the Boston Bruins.

“We spoke to each other and we were laughing about it,” Chaput said. “It’s rare something like that happens.”

If the Maineiacs don’t make out of the first round of the playoffs and Michael Chaput gets the call to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL, the Falcons play their second to last game against the Providence Bruins on April 9th.

McNeely talks about his decision to de-commit from Maine

Sunday the University of Maine Black Bears faced at one time their goalie of the future in Matt McNeely. The 17-year old who’s in his second year with the USA National Team Development Program committed to Maine at 15. After thinking it over the Burnsville, Minnesota native committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, so he could be closer to his family.

“Being away from home in Michigan, I made the decision on my family.”

McNeely said the he only talked to Maine when he originally made the commitment to Maine. He made his commitment to the Bulldogs last January

“At the time, I wasn’t talking to any other team, it was just Maine,” he added. “I didn’t talk to any other schools before I de-committed.”

McNeely said joining the National Team Development Program, has helped him on and off the ice.

“Joining the program, I’ve gotten better multiple ways, I’ve gotten stronger, I’ve grown as a better person as well,” McNeely said.

Tim Whitehead was impressed what he saw from McNeely who was in net on the wrong side of a 5-1 game.

“He played really well,” said Tim Whitehead. “Matt kept them in the game, (especially) in the second period when were peppering him with shots and again in the third. I thought he made some great saves.”

Lewiston prepares for Montreal and Shawinigan

Lewiston, Maine – The Lewiston Maineiacs are looking at their list and checking it twice. Quebec Remparts, Check. Saint John Sea Dogs, Check. Montreal Junior, there’s no check in the box because Montreal is one of the top teams that they haven’t beaten this season.

“I think it’s a good test for us to play Montreal again in Montreal,” said Lewiston Maineiacs head coach J.F. Houle. “We’ve beat Quebec, we beat Saint John, now we got to show Montreal that we can beat (them).”

Dillon Fournier learned a lot about Montreal in the 4-3 loss on December 5th.

“Everyone said they are one of the most skilled teams in league, if not the most skilled,” Fournier added. “Knowing that we can skate with them, knowing we can do plays like they can, it helps all the boys out.”

The Maineiacs are on a two game winning streak heading into the final games against Montreal on Friday and Shawinigan on Saturday before the QMJHL shuts down for the Holiday break.

“Shawinigan always plays us tough,” Houle mentioned. “They beat us 6-0 here (in Lewiston), we still remember that one. They are a good defensive club, so we got to make sure we get pucks behind their goalie.”

Rookie forward Christophe Lalonde feels confident heading into the weekend.

“We played very well against these two teams,” said Christophe Lalonde. “They both have big guys on their teams, but we have to focus on our team. We have to play as hard as we can.”

http://mainehockeyjournal.com/2010/11/29

http://mainehockeyjournal.com/2010/11/29/maineiacs-relish-chance-to-match-up-with-qmjhls-top-teams/

Pirates play the waiting game

Today was an off day for the Pirates except for goaltender’s Jhonas Enroth and David Leggio, who were working with Sabres goaltending coach Jim Corsi. TJ Brennan, who has been a healthy scratch the last two games was also on the ice taking shots.

The Fournier brothers provide a spark

Stefan Fournier doesn’t drop the gloves very often. But when he does, he gets his money’s worth.

“I don’t necessarily go after people I think I can win against, it’s more of heat of the moment stuff,” said Stefan Fournier. “I play a role that requires me to be on the ice more then me being in the penalty box. When something happens or something is bothering me I like to change the momentum.”

Maineiacs Notebook: Brodeur is the league’s first star

After potting three goals and three assists in three games last week, Etienne Brodeur was named the QMJHL’s first star on Monday.

“It felt good,” said Etienne Brodeur after practice Monday. “My line(mates) Pierre-Olivier Morin and (Michael) Chaput were good, they got a lot of points.”

Maine connections on WJAC rosters

Both USA Hockey and Hockey Canada released their rosters for the upcoming World Junior “A” Challenge in Penticton, British Columbia from November 8-14. Team USA will have former Berwick Academy goaltender Casey DeSmith and Canada East’s roster will include former Lewiston Maineiacs forward Nick Huard.

Maine recruiting notebook

The Beantown Classic, wasn’t just a gathering place for midget, prep, and junior teams, but a gathering place for five future University of Maine players. Connor Leen (New Jersey Hitmen), Brian Morgan (New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs), Jake Rutt (New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs), and Brian Harris (Boston Junior Bruins) all played at the Classic. The fifth is Cam Brown (New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs) who didn’t play Sunday in the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs-Boston Junior Bruins game due to mono.

Champion earns the league’s first star

After leading the Lewiston Maineiacs to three wins last week, the Quebec Major Hockey League announced Monday goaltender Nicolas Champion is the league’s first star.