When he was traded on Jan. 7 for Michael McCarron, Laurent Dauphin was so keen to affix the Laval Rocket — and understanding he’d require entry to a automobile — he drove 12 hours from Milwaukee to Syracuse to make sure he’d be accessible for final weekend’s three-game street journey.Within the third sport of that tour final Sunday, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound centre scored as soon as for his new staff towards Bridgeport. And a member of the family returned his automotive to Quebec.“To come back right here’s the most effective situation, for positive,” mentioned Dauphin, who was enjoying for the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville’s AHL affiliate. “I truly wished to get out of Milwaukee. I felt like I’d reached a useless finish a bit. I felt like I used to be enjoying good hockey the entire 12 months, however was lacking slightly alternative.“I simply wanted a change of surroundings. Coming right here, possibly I’ll play slightly extra, which can assist me for positive.”
Vancouver Canucks’ Alexander Edler checks Phoenix Coyotes’ Laurent Dauphin in the course of the first interval in Vancouver on Jan. 10, 2019.
DARRYL DYCK /
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Dauphin’s story is much like many within the AHL — gamers who’ve been drafted early, however by no means made it to the NHL on a full-time foundation for no matter cause.He was chosen within the second spherical (39th general) by Phoenix within the 2013 NHL Entry Draft following three productive seasons with the Chicoutimi juniors.Dauphin performed 35 video games with the Coyotes and as soon as scored a short-handed purpose towards Montreal on the Bell Centre. However scoring three objectives and including an help throughout that four-year span merely wasn’t adequate to chop it. In fact, the 24-year-old prospect’s alternatives and ice time have been restricted throughout most of these events.“Perhaps each (he and McCarron) reached a useless finish,” the Repentigny native mentioned. “Perhaps we each wanted a brand new begin, a distinct imaginative and prescient by administration and the coaches. Typically a commerce can put you again within the sport.“I had an excellent probability. I did good whereas I used to be there,” added Dauphin, who has been restricted to solely three NHL video games for the reason that 2016-17 season. “It didn’t work out. However I really feel like I can return to that tempo and play.”Dauphin had two stints within the Coyotes’ group and likewise has been traded to Chicago and Nashville. His big-league time might need been restricted, however Dauphin has greater than 250 video games within the AHL, bouncing round from Portland to Springfield to Tucson, Rockford after which Milwaukee because the Coyotes steadily modified the venue of their affiliate.Rocket head coach Joël Bouchard first seen Dauphin when he scouted him as a midget. Bouchard mentioned Dauphin has expertise and hockey sense. He believes Dauphin has sufficient attributes that he might return to the NHL.“I like what I’ve seen in a few of his play over the weekend,” Bouchard mentioned after the Rocket’s 60-minute follow Thursday at Place Bell. “He has a variety of issues that may’t be taught, which means he is aware of the place to be on the ice. He has a really feel for hockey.”Though Bouchard mentioned he likes Dauphin’s shot, skating and palms, he’d wish to see him become extra of an influence ahead.“His hockey sense is clear, however that’s additionally your drawback. Then you definitely simply really feel the sport. If sense is your No. 1 talent, I feel you’re in bother. Hockey sense can’t get you out of every little thing. You’ll change into a vanilla participant,” Bouchard defined.“Laurent might be an edge participant. I’m going to push him. It’s enjoyable to see a man with potential. I really feel there’s much more beneath the hood.”Dauphin had knee surgical procedure two seasons in the past, however believes his velocity has returned. At his greatest, he mentioned he can mix that swiftness with offence and his sense of the place to be on the ice. However he additionally is aware of it will likely be a two-way sport that finally dictates whether or not he returns to the NHL.Associated
Though at age 24 he has time on his facet, Dauphin additionally is aware of he’s engaged on a one-year contract that carries no ensures.“For positive, it’s slightly stress,” he mentioned. “On the similar time, you attempt to focus in your sport. Give it every little thing you may have. If it really works … If not? A minimum of you don’t have any regrets.”In the meantime, the Canadiens introduced Wednesday that ahead Matthew Peca had been assigned to the Rocket. He suffered a knee damage Dec. 10 towards Pittsburgh and performed just one sport since then. Compelled to reinforce his roster lately with some gamers who have been on professional tryouts, Peca’s addition will likely be welcomed by Bouchard.“We’re going to show him free and play him in all conditions to get his sport again as quickly as he can,” the coach mentioned.hzurkowsky@postmedia.comtwitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1
