Cree hopefuls face high expectations at Val-d’Or Foreurs training camp

The Cree Nation will be well represented when the Val-d’Or Foreurs open training camp in preparation for the upcoming QMJHL season.

No fewer than three Cree players will be taking part in the club’s rookie camp and full training camp in August. They include Wemindji’s Linden Namagoose, who was selected by the Foreurs in the seventh round of the QMJHL draft.

The smooth-skating defenseman spent last season with the Rouyn-Noranda Citadelles Midget Espoir squad, tallying six goals, including a pair of power-play markers, to go along with four assists in 32 contests.

That performance caught the attention of Foreurs coach Mario Durocher, who made the journey to scout Namagoose at this year’s Dodge Cup in Quebec City. The 16-year-old did not disappoint, scoring a crucial goal in a 3-2 victory over Espoir Saguenay-Lac Jean.

“I had the chance to meet Linden at the provincial championships, and he made a positive impression on me, both as a player and a person,” said Durocher in a recent conversation with the Nation.

“He possesses a lot of offensive skill as a defenseman, and has shown maturity leaving home as a young man to play in Rouyn-Noranda, billeting with a family there.”

Namagoose is expected to be among 40 hopefuls who will be in attendance at the opening of Foreurs’ rookie camp, vying for one of 15 spots still available at Val-d’Or ‘s full training camp.

While Namagoose has proven his stuff at the Midget Espoir level, he remains far from a lock to open the season with the Foreurs. Several veteran defensemen are returning from a squad that finished with 102 points this past season, second only to archrival Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

That likely means a stint with the AAA Amos Forestiers in the upcoming season, where Namagoose can likely expect plenty of playing time, and work further on skills development.

“Linden will have his chance at training camp,” Durocher said. “But if he wants to play hockey at a high level, he will have to get bigger, and stronger.”

Listed at 6’2″ and 160 pound on the Ligue Midget AAA website, Namagoose is slightly built for the rugged play at the major junior level.

Those numbers are changing rapidly, says Trevor Monaghan, who manages the Chisasibi Fitness Center, and is working closely with Namagoose on an off-season training program that looks to be paying immediate dividends.

Aided by elite Cree athletes like Deverick Ottereyes, a QMJHL veteran who spent three seasons with the Charlottetown Islanders and Gatineau Olympiques, Monaghan has Namagoose on a six-day-per-week program that not only focuses on improving physical conditioning, but includes a personal development element.

“Our goal is to help create a structured and progressive environment for young Cree athletes to develop life skills, a sound training background and goal-oriented progress,” said Monaghan. “Linden is solid physically, but he needs to gain some muscle mass, and develop some mental toughness. If he can gain 10 pounds over the summer and also add strength, it will really help his chances of cracking the roster in Val-d’Or this year.”

Nagamoose is not the only Cree hockey player looking to make their mark with the Foreurs next winter.

Waswanipi’s Silas Mattawashish will be aiming to crack the Val-d’Or lineup as a regular after seeing action in just two games this past season.

The left-shooting forward enjoyed a solid campaign with the Forestiers, amassing 29 points in 45 regular-season outings, and was a standout for the club in this year’s Dodge Cup, scoring two goals and three assists in five games.

Mattawashish is spending the summer working alongside Namagoose in the Chisasibi Fitness Centre’s Elite Strength and Conditioning Program, and will be faced with high expectations upon his arrival next month at the Foreurs training camp.

An emphatic “oh yes” was Durocher’s response to questions about Mattawashish’s chances of earning a spot in Val-d’Or this fall.

“Silas is a smart, hard-working, two-way hockey player,” added Durocher. “He is the kind of player I enjoy having in training camp, and he is going to have a good chance at this year’s camp.”

 

Adam Cheezo rounds out the trio of Cree hockey hopefuls looking to land a job with the Foreurs.

The 17-year-old out of Eastmain overcame a serious knee injury during his QMJHL rookie campaign to appear in 28 regular-season contests with Val-d’Or, netting one goal and a pair of assists before being held pointless in two playoff matchups.

Cheezo’s low offensive production during his injury-plagued season does not worry Durocher, who sees his offensive upside, but will be looking for him to improve on his defensive responsibilities this winter.

“He is a heck of a hockey player with great hands that remind me of (former Montreal Canadien) John Chabot, ” said Durocher. “But he will need to continue to work on off-ice training to avoid further injuries, and develop his defensive game to lock up his place on the team.”

Val-d’Or Foreurs training camp kicks off August 17 when rookies report, with the club’s pre-season schedule kicking off at Centre Air Creebec August 19 against the Huskies.

The regular season gets underway September 23, when the Foreurs look to avenge their first-round playoff series loss to Boisbriand-Blainville, hosting the Armada in the first match of a three-game home stand.