Luca Ciampini figured a curly mop like his wouldn’t last long at a major junior hockey training camp.
So the 16-year-old rookie from Montreal paid a quick visit to the barber before joining the Halifax Mooseheads at Cole Harbour Place on Tuesday, reining in the billowing ’do he sported at the QMJHL draft in June.
“I figured they’d cut it for me,” Ciampini said with a grin, alluding to his new teammates. “So I decided to do it myself first.”
The fact that Ciampini likes taking matters into his own hands is a good sign for the Mooseheads, who drafted him second overall and are hoping the five-foot-11, 189-pound left-winger can revive their lifeless offence.
Although he didn’t score during last night’s camp-opening intrasquad scrimmage, he arrives in town with a reputation as a sniper, having scored 30 goals in 55 games at the midget AAA level last season and drawing comparisons to Luc Robitaille.
“Right now, I just want to make the team,” he said. “From there on, I want to be an offensive guy for the team. I want an offensive role and I’m going to work my hardest to get it.”
Only three 16-year-olds in franchise history — Etienne Drapeau, Brandon Reid and Brandon Benedict — have so much as cracked the 30-point plateau, so expectations for Ciampini in 2010-11 shouldn’t get out of control.
At the same time, the Mooseheads made Ciampini the second highest pick in franchise history for a reason. He certainly sounds up to the challenge.
“It’s going to take some time to adjust, but I’m a quick learner,” Ciampini said. “I should be fine heading into the start of the regular season.”
Camp notes
Mooseheads top pick Luca Ciampini prior to getting a pre-training-camp haircut.
• Late additions There are now 45 players at camp, with the arrivals of forward Ryan Nickerson, defenceman Lucas Dawe and goalie Randy Chisholm.
• Frk watch Top import pick Martin Frk is not in town as the Mooseheads await an International Ice Hockey Federation ruling on his transfer from the Czech Republic.
• Live on Twitter Matthew Wuest will live Tweet from tonight’s intrasquad scrimmage. Follow @metroqfiles for the latest.
