It’s been a busy few months for Jeremie Poirier: first a Memorial Cup Championship and now a jump to the professional ranks.
Poirier was an assistant captain with the Saint John Sea Dogs when they won the title on home ice this past June. He had three points in four games during the tournament after putting up 180during his four seasons in the QMJHL.
Now he’s graduated to the pros with the Wranglers this season.
“I’m pretty excited, it’s a new challenge,” said Poirier. “The game is going to change obviously, bigger guys, older guys, faster guys, so I think it’s going to be a challenge but it’s exciting and I think I’m ready to go.”
“It’s a big jump,” explained Head Coach Mitch Love. “Even for real dominant junior hockey players to come to this level is a big jump and there’s lots to learn not only on the ice but off the ice, how you take care of yourself.
“Jeremie is a very talented young player, no doubt, but there is a lot of stuff in his game that he’s got to mature at, grow, and that’s what this level is all about.”
So what’s on Poirier’s shortlist as the Wranglers head towardtheir home-opener? (TICKETS)
“Just getting ready, keep pushing, keep working, gettingcomfortable with the system and the guys.” he explained.
Winning the Memorial Cup certainly isn’t easy and being a leader on a Cup-clinching squad teaches a player many important lessons.
“When you win such a trophy at the junior level you learn how to win a little bit and a little bit more what it takes to win and to close games,” Said Poirier. “I think it’s just something (that winning mentality) to keep bringing on the team this year and try to help as much as I can.”
This Wranglers knows a thing or two about winning, pushing all the way to the Calder Cup semi-finals last season. Poirier is excited to build on that and hopefully go even further in the postseason.
“We’re going to have a really solid group this year,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting to see and right now it’s just about building chemistry and keeping working towards game one.”
