Pineault Flew Coop, Moncton Expects Benefit
By Bill Keefe
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It looks like Boston College’s loss is the Moncton Wildcats’ gain.
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Those in the college game greeted the recent NCAA ruling allowing players to opt-in to the NHL draft and remain eligible with open arms. That’s what made Adam Pineault’s move to leave BC after his freshman season to join Moncton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League surprising.
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Pineault, an 18-year-old center from Holyoke, Mass., was weighing his decision to enter the draft. Despite the newfound flexibility regarding his eligibility, he informed BC coach Jerry York that he was leaving school at the end of April.
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The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Pineault in the second round, 46th overall, in the NHL draft in June. At the end of August, 27 months after the Wildcats had tabbed him with the fourth overall selection in the QMJHL draft, Pineault arrived at Moncton Airport to a rock star’s welcome.
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“It was kind of flattering,” said Pineault, who participated in the U.S. National Junior Team evaluation camp in Grand Forks, N.D. this summer.
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After two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program in Michigan, Pineault played mostly on the fourth line for BC last season. He appeared in just 30 of 42 games and notched eight points (four goals, four assists).
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“(BC) didn’t work out, my best bet was playing junior,” said Pineault, who didn’t dress for any of BC’s Hockey East or NCAA playoff games.. “Coach York was loyal to the seniors. Loyalty is a big thing with him.
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“Everybody’s dream is to make the NHL. After last year, my best bet this year is to be somewhere I’m going to play a lot.”
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A 6-foot-2, 200-pound power forward, Pineault has played all three positions up front. But he prefers center and that’s where he played in his first two exhibition games for Moncton. In his first game, he assisted on the first goal in a 7-2 win over Prince Edward Island and won 10 of 11 faceoffs. He picked up another assist in his second game.
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“I’m impressed with his character, the personality he’s got,” Moncton head coach Christian LaRue told the Moncton Times and Transcript. “He’s been able to fit right in without any discomfort. He jumped in and seemed to be comfortable with his teammates. His teammates also seemed to be comfortable with him.
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“For us, that’s a very good sign because he’s going to be a big player. He’s going to one of the fan favorites for sure. The team chemistry has to be for the best and right now the first impression he’s made has been extremely good."
rPineault and his linemates, Steve Bernier (1st round, San Jose, ’03) and Stephane Goulet (7th round, Edmonton, ’04) all headed for NHL camps in September. With the unrest in the labor situation, Moncton is likely to have a high-powered unit together for the season.
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“I just want to become an all-around better hockey player,” said Pineault.