June 21st, 2008
Coyotes Take Brodeur in Third Round
SYDNEY - A howl of joy from Mathieu Brodeur's family echoed at the Scotiabank Place Saturday, as their boy from St. Eustache, Que., became one of the latest additions to the Phoenix Coyotes organization.
“They were almost more happy than me,” said the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles defenceman, drafted in the third round, No. 76 overall, by the desert dogs at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa.
Brodeur was accompanied by his parents, Daniel and Maree, his 21-year-old brother Benoit and his girlfriend, Virginie. His family, along with Brodeur’s billet mother Gene MacDougall of Sydney and her sons, 15-year-old Jarett and 14-year-old Jordan, celebrated quite possibly the coolest birthday present any up-and-coming hockey prospect could receive.
“It’s amazing — I don’t know the words how to describe my feelings right now,” said Brodeur, who turned 18, Saturday. “There’s no words, it’s just unbelievable.
“I heard ‘the Phoenix Coyotes are proud to select from Cape Breton. . .’ so I stood up, but I didn’t hear my name, so the first thought I had was to look on the board if it was really me.”
Brodeur entered the draft ranked in the third round, No. 69 overall, among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. The towering 6’5”, 200-pound blue-liner believes his ability on the penalty kill and his stay-at-home style were the reasons the Coyotes selected him.
After his name was called. Brodeur proceeded to the Coyotes table where he shook hands with, among others, general manager Don Maloney and The Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky is the team’s managing partner, alternate governor and head coach.
“I just got a handshake with him because he had to follow the draft after that,” said Brodeur of Gretzky. “I have to go to Phoenix Monday, so I’ll probably meet him there.”
Brodeur said he has a good shot at being part of the Coyotes’ roster in the future with such a young team. To do so, however, he believes he’ll need to get a more explosive start in his skating and improve his upper-body strength.
Also selected at the draft Saturday was former Screaming Eagles defenceman Mark Barberio, now a member of the Moncton Wildcats. Barberio went in the sixth round, 152nd overall, to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Another player ranked who did not get drafted was forward Ashton Bernard of Eskasoni. The 6’3”, 195-pound winger, a member of the Shawinigan Cataractes, was ranked in the seventh round, No. 206 overall, among North American skaters. Bernard has stated, however, that his agent has pro tryouts lined up for him if he didn’t get drafted.
tjcolello@cbpost.com
