GM for a day but already a pro

Thanks to the initiative of the Sherbrooke Phoenix organization, 18 youngsters who entered a contest to accompany each of the league’s general managers on draft day. Even though many were of course experiencing it all for the first time, that wasn’t exactly the case for one contest winner who played a key role in allowing a player on the Rimouski Oceanic to make the jump to the AHL this fall.

“The GMs allowed us to live the draft as if we were really a part of their team. I even had my own role and responsibilities. I was the one in charge of giving our top pick their cap and jersey,” recalled 11-year-old Xavier Boisvert.

The eager youngster got to sit in on the first round of picks alongside the brain trust of his hometown Shawinigan Cataractes.

“I play a lot of hockey myself so this day was a real dream for me. I tell myself even if I don’t end up ever playing at this level, I’ve at least gotten to experience the draft. I just would have lived it differently, but it’s still a lot closer than most people ever get the chance to,” he added.

Mathis Daigle on the other hand openly admitted to being intimidated when he stepped up on stage at the Palais des sports Léopold-Drolet in Sherbrooke. The crowd was really fired up when it came time for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies to make their first pick.

“My brother is Anthony Wojcik of the Huskies. On the contest form you’re asked to identify your favourite player so obviously I wrote his name down,” smiled the 11-year-old proud little brother.

Already a contract under his belt

At the Oceanic draft table, Kory-Antony Roy-Lagacé was already a seasoned pro. Already linked through friendship with several

QMJHL players, Roy-Lagacé, who is suffering from an unknown illness that affects his immune system, got to add another memory to his impressive collection.

“The way I see it, if I get the chance to play in the AHL next season, it’s thanks to him,” said Alexis Loiseau of the Oceanic.

Only two short years ago, the forward handled his own representation. It was Kory-Antony who however got him in touch with agent Marc Lavigne.

“It happened often that I would chat with Kory. Each time I would he would tell me ‘Marc check out Alexis Loiseau, I adore him and he’s really good!’ I promised I would have a look at him. I found him a little small, but very intelligent on the ice. I finally accepted to represent him after all the pressure I was getting from Kory,” Lavigne recalled.

Loiseau then emerged as one of the top players on his team and recently inked his first pro contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

“I told him all along that Alexis was good! Since then, Marc has always said that I’m his associate. He even gave me a golf shirt with his company logo and we talk often,” smiled the proud young man.

According to Marc Lavigne, the youngster has several qualities that would make him an excellent player agent.

“He quickly identifies good people. He is concentrated on the individual. I also find him very mature for his age and he knows how to recognize the good qualities in a hockey player.”

Alexis Loiseau and his agent are proud to admit they both called Kory as soon as the contract was signed. News of the signing then made the rounds in the media only a few days later.

“He promised us that he wouldn’t tell anyone and obviously he respected that,” they both concluded.