Physical play in OHL ‘dwindling,’ Jets prospect Brendan Lemieux says
8 years ago
Brendan Lemieux’s junior hockey days are behind him and it sounds as if the Winnipeg Jets prospect couldn’t be happier.
The 20-year-old, who made his professional debut with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose on Tuesday night, says he’s looking forward to returning to a more physical brand of hockey — something he claims the OHL is lacking.
The outspoken son of former NHL star Claude Lemieux told the Winnipeg Sun’s Paul Friesen the Ontario junior league restricted him from playing the style which helped mould his father into a three-time Stanley Cup champion.
“Being more physical would be ideal,” Lemieux said. “It’s hard coming out of the OHL. The physicality of the game is dwindling in that league. I try to play the way my dad would play if he was playing today. I’m pretty bang-on with him – just a left-handed shot.
“I want to play that same style of game. He was good in the playoffs, and that’s what I want to be. He won, and that’s what I want to do.”
Lemieux recently closed out a four-year stint in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires where he netted 48 points in 34 games after being acquired from the Barrie Colts — where he spent just over three seasons. But often his physical style — and possibly the reputation of being Claude Lemieux’s son — put the power forward under the microscope in the OHL.
Lemieux, who was acquired by the Jets in a deal that sent Evander Kane to the Buffalo Sabres, was suspended five times in four years. He was also banned two games in the opening round of the post-season after taking a match penalty for slew footing in Game 1 against the Kitchener Rangers.
But Lemieux says that won’t change the way he plays the game in the AHL and later into his NHL career.
“If you’re a good power forward, you’re hard to play against,” he added. “If I’m doing that right, I’m not going to have too many friends over there.”
Recent articles from Angelo Montilla
