Interview with Gatineau Olympiques forward Claude Giroux

BOUCHERVILLE, Saturday, February 11, 2006 (QMJHL) – This week, the official Website of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League – www.lhjmq.qc.ca – presents an interview with Gatineau Olympiques forward Claude Giroux.

<i>You were completely ignored by Ontario Hockey League teams in last year’s draft. How did the QMJHL opportunity present itself?</i>

"Well, I played in the Ontario Junior A League last year, but was suffering from mononucleosis for most of the season, which pretty much slowed me down. Also, my size probably had an effect on not being drafted. Fortunately, the Gatineau Olympiques invited me to their training camp and they gave me an opportunity to make the team."

<i>What have you learned so far from your first year in the QMJHL?</i>

"That you need to work hard at this level to succeed in hockey – the game is taken a lot more seriously. The coaches teach us a lot of new things, such as systems, in order for us to enjoy some measure of success. Our practices are very structured and our system must be followed and respected by the players."

<i>What are your goals as well as the team’s goals for the last part of the season?</i>

"Personally, I’d like to climb the echelons and play on the first two lines consistently. In regards to team goals, we want to secure the third spot in the Western division standings. Of course, we’d like to finish as high as possible and we still have twenty-some games to go in order to accomplish what we set out to do."

<i>What are the areas of your game which you work the most on?</i>

"I put a lot of effort into my shot and my skating. I think that they are the two most important areas for a hockey player. Our Head Coach, Benoît Groulx, is a very good communicator and he gives us plenty of good advice on how to incorporate what we learn in practice into game situations. Also, as I mentioned earlier, since our environment (practices and system) are very well structured, we can maximize our success."