Chéticamp native first homegrown product selected by CB in 2024
By Corey LeBlanc
CHÉTICAMP: Eli Leblanc was a huge fan of the Cape Breton Eagles, even before he established a family connection to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) organization earlier this month.
At the 2024 QMJHL Entry Draft on June 8 in Moncton, the youngster accompanied his cousin Jake Poirier to the stage after he was selected in the ninth round – 158th overall – by his beloved hockey team.
“It was really exciting for him,” Poirier told The Reporter, while reflecting on sharing that memorable moment with his “little cousin,” who had purchased an Eagles’ baseball cap that day, just a short time before the milestone in Poirier’s hockey journey.
Poirier added of the experience, “We had a lot of fun. It was great to have my whole family with me.”
The native of Chéticamp is coming off his first season with the Cape Breton West (CBW) Islanders of the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League, one in which he fashioned a 6-15-0 record, while posting a 3.65 goals against average and .887 save percentage.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity,” the 15-year-old offered of his QMJHL draft selection, agreeing that getting picked by the Eagles made it extra special.
Poirier, who was the first Cape Breton product selected by the organization in 2024, has been on their radar for quite some time, according to general manager Sylvain Couturier.
“We got to see a lot of him this season, and we really liked what we saw,” he told The Reporter of his newest goaltending prospect.
Although there is “work to be done,” when it comes to developing his game, Couturier added, “We really believe that Jake might be a big part of our future.”
Describing a “high ceiling,” as far as his potential is concerned, the Eagles GM noted the size and physical attributes that Poirier – at 6’1” and 179 pounds – brings to the position, along with his technical skills.
“And we are really impressed by Jake’s compete level in the net,” he added.
Noting that the Eagles’ focussed on improving their depth at forward in the early rounds of the recent entry draft, Couturier offered that the organization believes it is “really lucky” that Poirier was available when they turned their attention to goaltending.
“We were so happy that he was still there; we thought that we couldn’t wait any longer,” he remembered of calling his name in the ninth round.
Couturier, who described Poirier as a “wildcard” of their draft class in 2024, will be working closely with Cape Breton’s goaltender coach – Blade Mann-Dixon.
“He speaks really highly of Jake,” the Eagles’ GM noted, which also contributed greatly to their decision to draft Poirier.
Mann-Dixon, who has already been training with the Grade 10 student at École NDA – as part of his BMD Goaltending player development business and with the Islanders, offered that he has “a lot of potential.”
“Jake brings a very technical game; he has some size and very good net awareness,” the former StFX X-Men goaltender said. “We are excited [the Eagles] to see him progress over the next couple of years.”
When it comes to the continuing his development, Couturier explained that Mann-Dixon will be working closely with Poirier as part of a follow-up plan; one that will build on his already strong skill set, with a focus on making improvements in areas, such as quickness.
The product of the Chéticamp Trail Riders Minor Hockey Program said he is looking forward to spending the summer “getting better,” which includes developing his “speed and post play.”
As for his strengths between the pipes, Poirier noted his skating and ability to track pucks.
“I am not really sure – I think I wanted to try something different,” he said, when asked what attracted him to goaltending as a second-year novice player. “It was great [his first game as goaltender] and I have loved it ever since.”
Poirier, who expects to return to the Islanders for a second U18 season, said he is excited about attending his first Eagles’ training camp in late August.