Become the first 17-year-old player in the QMJHL to score 50 goals since Sidney Crosby in 2004-2005. He ranked first among Quebec's major junior scorers the year he was drafted, a feat not achieved since Anthony Mantha in 2012–2013. Justin Poirier has his sights set on such successes as he has scored 41 goals with 14 games remaining with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.
• Also read: The Drakkar are hard to beat at home
• Also read: NHL Draft: Macklin Celebrini at the top, two Quebecers in the first round
Imagine how surprised he and the people around him were when, given the season he is currently playing, he did not receive an invitation to participate in the best game in the Canadian Hockey League.
“We thought it was a bit… I'm looking for the right word,” hesitates Drakkar head coach Jean-François Grégoire on the phone. Let's say surprising. We were surprised.”
“It’s still a nice slap in the face,” admits the main victim, “because I thought I had my place.”
It's a familiar refrain: Poirier, at 5 feet 8 inches, is too short. The brother of Calgary Flames defenseman and prospect Jérémie Poirier is only ranked 73rd in NHL Central Scouting's North American rankings. He risks slipping until the third or even fourth round.
If recruiters and teams decide to turn their noses up at a player of this size, the Canadian may be at risk in acquiring a local product.
“I've spoken to the Canadiens' recruiters a few times this season, including a recent visit to Drummondville,” mentions Poirier, who says he's inspired by Alex DeBrincat and, of course, Cole Caufield, one of “my favorite players in the game.” My childhood team.” .
What sets Poirier apart from other players his size who scored points as a junior is his build. The underdog rocks the scale needle at 190 pounds. He's been going to the gym for a long time.
“He’s not frail, he’s sturdy,” emphasizes Grégoire. He's physically strong, maybe that's why he has such good chances. On paper we talk a lot about his size, but on the ice he doesn't matter. That shouldn't be a factor. Again, I realize it could be in the draft… but that shouldn't be the case.
“I think the teams that gave players like DeBrincat and Caufield a chance… it paid off for them.”
With his low center of gravity and power, Poirier can surprise in the corners of the ice.
“Even as a child I knew that I would become a little player,” explains the born goalscorer. For me it is important to have good muscles. I knew I had to be strong. That seems like a lot, 190 pounds, for a player my size, but there's a lot of muscle there. Sometimes players think they can easily knock me down, but they hit a wall.”
The influence of big brother
Justin is aware that his brother Jérémie fell to the third round of the draft despite impressive offensive stats. It is a fate that could unfortunately await him too.
“He is an attacking defender and I am an attacking striker. He was always criticized for his defensive play, remembers Justin Poirier. For me, it's my defensive game and my size that are criticized. Jérémie has been through all these things, these slightly hateful comments like this. We use it as a source of motivation.”
Justin has a lot to thank his big brother for. It was Jérémie who passed on his passion for ice hockey, and also Jérémie who was an important confidant when he learned that he would not take part in the best game of prospects.
“He gave me examples of players who were never there and examples of players who showed up for that game and weren’t even drafted yet,” the young forward says. I also talked to my agent a lot since I'm in the same agency as Jordan Dumais. Dumais, 140 points last year! He was never at that game and was accused of the same things I was. He was drafted in the third round and has already signed his entry-level contract.”
“It's just a game,” argues Jean-François Grégoire. We took the time to discuss with him, understand his disappointment and bring in positive elements. It's a nice recognition, a nice pat on the back [le match des meilleurs espoirs]but that’s all it is.”
When Poirier says today that he has moved on, he admits that this strange decision still bothered him even after he returned from vacation.
“Maybe I tried too hard to prove that I belonged there,” he admits. I realized I had no control over the decision, so I went back to base and played my normal game.”
The thought of having the last word in this story may no longer take up as much space in Poirier's mind. Still, reaching the 50-goal mark and winning the Mario Lemieux Trophy in its first year of existence would send a big message.
“Winning this trophy would be really incredible,” he admits. And the number 50 is certainly an incredibly beautiful number. When you hear everywhere that Crosby was the last one to do it and that you have the opportunity to do it…”
In large amounts
Poirier is a Dek hockey goalkeeper in the summer: “I was almost sweating until I asked myself whether I wanted to go in goal. Once I knew dek hockey was an option for fun at the position, I jumped into it. Back then I often played in goal with my brother. We played one against one.”