BUFFALO | It’s not easy to emulate Patrice Bergeron, but one of the first Quebecers to hear his name in the NHL draft, Mathieu Cataford, takes inspiration from the Bruins veteran. “Ever since the ranks got embarrassing, I’ve been trying to play the same way,” he confided to the Buffalo hopefuls’ ratings camp.
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Much like the player he idolizes, Cataford is a right-handed center. Like him, he is described as a fierce competitor and a natural leader. And, of course, the Halifax Mooseheads representative is considered an outright attacker, effective in all facets of the game.
Cataford certainly doesn’t claim to be the next Patrice Bergeron, even if nothing prevents him from dreaming. The Saint-Constant forward is ranked the No. 36 North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. His idol finished 28th and 45th in the draft 20 years ago before going on to have a phenomenal career.
“He’s doing everything right and he’s a Quebecer like me. I try to emulate his game, to include him in my games. What I keep hearing from him is that he’s a super leader. It’s a good model. I never met him, but my agent spoke to me about him a lot,” Cataford explained of his inspiration.
Don’t be afraid to speak
In his first season in Halifax last year, Cataford was the top scorer among 16-year-old players in the QMJHL with 46 points.
Though still an inexperienced rookie, his teammates caught the eye when he got up in the dressing room to pick up the spittoon after a tough defeat at Gatineau. For a 16-year-old teenager, that’s a rare gesture.
“Leadership comes naturally to me, although sometimes you can work on it. I’m not embarrassed to say anything. When I spoke at the time, some were surprised, especially the elderly. After that, some came up to me to tell me it took courage and that they respected me for it,” he said, returning to this episode.
He has also demonstrated his speaking skills in four interviews with teams since arriving in Buffalo. He expected to hit 18 this week. “It doesn’t stress me at all,” he added.
Photo archives / Didier Debus scissors
Hard in “Tabarnane”
This season, Cataford continued his rise up the NHL with 31 goals and 75 points, while also playing in all situations. His only regret? That the Mooseheads missed the Gilles Courteau Trophy in the Finals and missed their Memorial Cup clash.
“It was a great season and not many people saw us in the final. At the same time, it sucks to have worked so hard to prevent two wins from winning everything. Plus you’re watching the Memorial Cup, watching Quebec win, and saying to yourself, “Tabarnane!” he cursed with a wicked smile.
“It’s a shared feeling because it’s the QMJHL that’s winning and it just proves once again that we’re a good league. Guys sometimes tell us our league is soft. Tabarouette, the league has been winning online for four years! At the same time, I wasn’t tempted that it was the Remparts.
With the Canadian?
Photo archive / Martin Chevalier
As for his destination, Cataford just wants “the team that has the best plan for me,” but he makes no secret that he’s also thinking of the Canadian, who has a choice of 31-32 alongside the 37th, a logical horizon for him.
“Of course, like any team that’s in these ranks, I’m thinking about it. I like the Canadian a lot from what I’m hearing from my agents, but it will also all depend on whether he likes the energy I exude in interviews with them.