Rookie comes of age
Joel Chauvin has turned his season around for the Thorold Blackhawks.
The 17-year-old Grimsby native got off to a slow offensive start in his rookie season with just four points in his first 14 games, but has found his groove of late with points in his last seven games and 19 in his last 14 games.
“I just put my head down and kept working and getting used to the league,” said Chauvin, who collected 23 goals in 32 games at the major midget level last season. “It’s my first year and it’s an adjustment playing against all the big guys out there.
“I’m just getting used to it now and hopefully it continues.”
Thorold coach Scott Barnes doesn’t expect Chauvin, or any of his first-year players, to light the world on fire right off the bat.
“It’s an adjustment,” Barnes said. “I try to tell all our guys coming in no matter where they’re coming from it’s usually about 15 games before they get comfortable in this league. You kind of bide your time.”
Chauvin had no problem with that.
“I knew it was part of the process. Scott kept telling me it’s your first time and it’s a hard transition and just to wait and after a while you’ll get it,” he said.
Barnes even scratched Chauvin earlier in the season, but it was all part of the plan.
“For the young guys, it’s bringing them along slowly and watch and see what they need to do,” he said. “Maybe play (them) lower in the lineup until they figure everything out and force their way up the lineup.”
Chauvin has done just that and is currently on Thorold’s top line with Dylan Scriver and Bret Bressette.
“It’s fantastic,” he smiled. “It’s really helping get those points up there. They can just put the puck in the next by snapping their fingers.”
Barnes said Chauvin’s production has more to do with it than just playing with two offensively gifted players.
“He has really complimented those guys,” Barnes said. “He’s working hard and getting the pucks in the corners for them. He’s a really good passer so he’s fit in really well there.
“We’ve been tinkering all along trying to find things. We’re trying to get as many lines as possible going and before I put him with that line he was really clicking with a couple of other guys. It’s not mattering who he is playing with, he’s producing right now.”
Barnes loves Chauvin’s overall game.
“He’s just a sandpaper kind of guy. He does a little bit of everything. He works hard, he chips in and has a really good hockey IQ I think as well.
“He’s the kind of player who can play anywhere in the lineup. He can be the fourth line centre and kill penalties and play that role or he can play on the top line and be on the power play.”
Chauvin, who attends Blessed Trinity, had his heart set on making the jump to junior this season.
“My goal was to play on a junior B team and I’m really glad it’s here,” he said. “It’s a great team with great guys in the room.”
Barnes had Chauvin on his radar for a couple of years now.
“He’s a guy I committed to early and wanted on our team. I’ve known him for a couple of years but I can’t say I saw his production being this high, this year, but I did think it would come.”
The Blackhawks, 15-12-2-2, host the Buffalo Regals, 7-18-2-2, Thursday in their only game this week.
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