QUEBEC CITY P.Q. — The game between Chicoutimi and Quebec on Friday October 23rd was the first chance for Sagueneens’ head Coach Richard Martel ‘’ to count on his most recent acquisition Michael Stinziani, acquired from the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles last October. For his first game with his new team the right winger played on first line with left winger Nicolas Deschamps and center Alexandre Lavoie.
Originally selected by the Gatineau Olympiques in the second round 29th overall in 2005, the Laurraine native played three seasons with the Olympiques before a trade sent him to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, where he played one season (2008-09 63 games 42 points (17) goals) plus 11 games in 2009-10, before the trade bringing him to Chicoutimi. In five year in the QMJHL, the 5’09” 185-pounder played 221 games accumulating 114 points scoring 45 goals.
When Stinziani learned about the trade from his former coach, Mario Durocher, the veteran right winger was very happy to report to his new team.
“I’m real happy,” said the 20-year old. “I heard rumor about a possible trade to Chicoutimi several years ago even when I was in Gatineau before being traded to Cape Breton. I’m happy to be with the Sagueneens and I’m anxious to show to everyone what I’m capable of doing,” Stinziani said to local newspaper le Quotidien .
Already counting on four 20-year olds with Antoine Roussel, Dominic Jalbert, Pierre Luc Lacombe and Mathieu Tousignant coach Martel can’t let the chance to add veteran players with Stinziani experience in his lineup. The new acquisition force Sags head coach to make a decision over his 20 year old player since a team can’t have more than three players aged 20.
Stinziani became available when Durocher saw defenseman Jan Piscasek coming back from professional training camp. Several teams were involved in discussions with Cape Breton to acquire the veteran forward and Chicoutimi won at the end giving up a third round pick in 2010, a selection previously belonging to Quebec Remparts.
Stinziani’s experience will give to Sags head coach the chance to send his new acquisition on power play, the even strength situation and maybe even sending him to kill some penalties. The right winger will be able to calm young rookie in critical situation on the ice during games, and add to the offense scoring important goals.
The former Gatineau player didn’t get point in his first game with his new team but made his presence felt when Chicoutimi lost one of its best point producers in Jacob Lagace following a hard check from Quebec right winger Danick Hudon Paquette. Stinziani was sent by head coach Martel in critical situation with Chicoutimi leading by one 3- 2 in third period.
“Stinziani did very well in critical situation. We saw that he was very well coached in Gatineau. He did the little things need to be done to help us kept our lead.” Martel said after his team won the game 4-2.
Chicoutimi and Quebec faced each other twice this season in September 19th Quebec won 5- 4 in shootout and on September 26th Chicoutimi won 4- 3 in overtime. Robin Gusse played very well in the only game in Quebec making 42 saves out of 45 shots.
Quebec also added new a player when Michael Stefanovich was sent down to the Juniors by the Toronto Marlies the AHL. Stefanovich’s return to Quebec forced Patrick Roy, the Quebec general manager and head coach, to make a decision about his European players because they cannot have more than two European players by team. The organization opted to trade Alexander Avtsin (2009 Euro pick) to the Montreal Junior with their European second round pick in 2010, in return Quebec received Montreal’s 2010 European first round pick.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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