When the Halifax Mooseheads drafted Carl Gelinas, they pegged him as a hard-working role player.
Since arriving at camp, the fourth-round pick has not only demonstrated those attributes, he’s showcasing a pretty good knack for putting the puck in the net to boot.
The 17-year-old winger led all intra-squad scorers with five goals and chipped in with a goal and an assist in the team’s QMJHL pre-season opener on Saturday in Cornwall, P.E.I., a 6-5 shootout loss to the Prince Edward Island Rocket.
He has all but sewn up a spot on the opening-night roster.
“It’s early yet, but he’s a total-package kid,” said Mooseheads general manager and head coach Cam Russell. “He’s got great work ethic, an excellent set of hands, really good hockey sense, and we like his board game. He scored some really nice goals (at camp) and we’re happy with him.”
The Shawinigan, Que., native doesn’t speak much English, but he expressed satisfaction with his early success.
“I’ve played good,” Gelinas said. “I like what I’ve done. If I can continue in this direction, it will be good.”
BAHM STEPS UP: Linden Bahm appears to be setting himself apart from his competitors in the battle for an over-age job. Bahm, a forward who is fighting with as many as three other 20-year-olds for one spot, made an impact during intra-squad play and will need more of the same in the pre-season.
“He’s played really well,” Russell said. “He’s generated offence, played physical and dropped the gloves.”
Bahm had nine goals among 25 points in 66 games last season.
CHIPPING IN: Porters Lake’s Matt Stoddard continues to boost his chances of making the Mooseheads. The 19-year-old forward is with the team on a conditional tryout from the Saint John Sea Dogs and had a goal and an assist on Saturday.
INJURY WATCH: In addition to returnees Gerrad Grant (wrist) and Jessyko Bernard (shoulder), goaltending draft pick Joel Grondin (groin) and tryout forward Dylan McGuigan (wrist) are currently out of the lineup with injuries.
NO MAKE-UP DATE: No make-up date has been set for the Mooseheads’ pre-season game against P.E.I. that was originally scheduled for yesterday at the Halifax Forum.
