Logan Mailloux is a formidable hockey player. On the ice, the young Canadian prospect is able to bring offense in a way that is interesting for a defenseman.
But is he perfect? Of course he isn’t.
On the ice, as a defensive player, he needs to learn to be more responsible defensively. And off the ice, he needs to mature to become a better player.
Of course, it’s easy to talk about his history. However, when I talk about maturing, I’m referring to everything that surrounds any hopeful: seriousness off the ice.
Case in point? Getting to practice on time. We know this is important for Martin St-Louis, so Mailloux had better get used to arriving at the arena on time for the rest of the game.
But hey. All this to say that, at the start of the season, he was having a hard time doing it all. He wasn’t yet fully aware of the repercussions of his decisions.
That’s why, as reported by TVA Sports’ Nicolas Cloutier, his team-mates made sure the defender got the message: you’ve got to fall in line.
“Uncomfortable” and “always late”: Logan Mailloux rolled up his sleeves and got his season back on track https://t.co/11ttXesfyS
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) January 11, 2024
Jean-François Houle, who manages the Laval Rocket, says his protégé was uncomfortable on the ice at the start of the season and less mature than he is now.
Mailloux got messages from his teammates to take his game to the next level. There were passive-aggressive messages, but also concrete gestures.
The guys went after him a couple of times. I think that wakes you up as a player. They cut his shoelaces at one point because he was always late.
He’s learned his lesson. – Jean-François Houle on Logan Mailloux
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It’s not the end of the world. That said, it’s an important message for a guy to understand. And in the eyes of the coach, it’s a sign that the team spirit is going well.
And the result is that Mailloux has improved. Even on the ice, you can see he’s a better player and limits his mistakes. That makes him a member of the AHL All-Star Game in 2024.
“Hey Logan, you’re going to the All-Star!
é à é éé
2024 -… pic.twitter.com/6mSKJuAHiv– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) January 10, 2024
As you can see in the video posted on X by the Rocket on the subject, the guys don’t exactly seem to hate him. They’re happy for him and, no doubt, to see his progress.
It just goes to show that the whole thing was done because Mailloux has the respect of his own people. Let’s give him time to continue working on all this and see where it takes him next.
The fact that he listened to the guys is important. It also shows how important it is to have veterans in the AHL, so as not to let a bunch of youngsters do things the wrong way.
After an ugly start to the season, things are looking up for the Rocket.
Breaking news
– Speaking of the Rocket.
Kasimir Kaskisuo, @RocketLaval‘s YouTuber goalie.
“People often stop me and say, “Hey, I like your videos,” but they never say, “Hey, you’re a great goalie. Maybe that’ll happen one day. It’s fun anyway.” https://t.co/eUchHhYcu9– Mikaël Filion (@MikaelFilionRDS) January 11, 2024
– They’re going to be expensive.
“At the end of the day, (McDavid) is going to do what’s best for him and I’m going to do what’s best for me.” – Leon Draisaitl, on his pending contract negotiations.
Read our exclusive interview here:https://t.co/0IT3rwW7Wv
– Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) January 10, 2024
– Tough break.
The worst is confirmed in the case of Jordan Dumais: he will need surgery on both hips, as well as to treat a sports hernia.
But all is not lost.
Details https://t.co/V2FDer6gWA
– Kevin Dubé (@KDubeJDQ) January 11, 2024
– Notice to interested parties.
Josh Anderson’s bobblehead distribution
Pre-game @SkipTheDishes⤵️https://t.co/ffdAYYt3Sw
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 11, 2024
– 65 years for Rob Ramage.
Happy birthday to Rob Ramage, the Canadiens’ director of player development. He turns 65 today #Habs #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/moYeCD3BqC
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) January 11, 2024