Taking up the mantle

BROSSARD - The theme of the day was mentorship. As the Canadiens' Development Camp continued into its third day on Tuesday, many of the participants underlined the importance of receiving and giving guidance to enhance their experience - and help their chances moving forward.

For defenseman Noah Juulsen, a veteran now taking part in his third Development Camp, it's been important to put himself back in a newcomer's shoes, looking to support his younger teammates any way he can.
"It's about helping the younger guys, taking them under your wing. Coming in when it was my first year, I was nervous, I was scared to be here," recalled Juulsen, who contributed 12 goals and 34 points with the WHL's Everett Silvertips last season. "[I've been] helping the younger guys relax on the ice and just play their game so they can be the best they can be."
Juulsen, selected in the first round (26th overall) in 2015, doesn't yet know whose blue line he'll be patrolling come October, but he's excited to be one step closer to NHL action - whether he ends up in Laval or with the big club in Montreal.
"For sure, it'll be great. It was nice in St. John's - I was out there a little bit for the AHL playoffs," he continued. "But it'll be cool to be here and see how it works."

Fellow rearguard Simon Bourque, coming off a QMJHL championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup semi-final with St. John, feels he's benefitting from being around a vastly experienced crop of coaches and trainers at camp.
"We have some really good coaches in Junior, but you can't hide the fact that there are some very experienced coaches here," praised Bourque, who scored 56 points with the Sea Dogs and the Rimouski Oceanic in 2016-17. "We have five days here, so we have to get the most out of those guys. Any questions we have, we have to be like a sponge and absorb everything."
Bourque would like to build off the momentum of his championship run in Junior - he added four goals and nine helpers in 18 contests - but his focus at the moment is on playing his best and getting noticed.
"I just want to give it my all and make a good impression. For sure, my plan is to make the jump, but I also don't want to have any expectations," he cautioned. "In my head, the only option for me is to play in Laval next year, but it's up to me to make it happen."

Harvard's Lewis Zerter-Gossage has enjoyed a unique sort of mentorship this past season, the kind only someone who's been through a similar experience can provide. Since he and Louis Leblanc both share the distinction of having played for Harvard and of being Canadiens draft picks, Zerter-Gossage has taken full advantageof whatever tips the former first-rounder has thrown his way.
"Knowing about his experience has been very valuable for me. I talk to him every step of the way, after every game in development camp," highlighted Zerter-Gossage, who says he's returned the favor by helping Leblanc get back in the swing of things academically after a six-year absence. "It's been really important for me."
As he looks back on his first development camp, the local kid invited on a tryout basis can't help but beam with pride at the shot he's been given with his favorite childhood team.
"It wasn't until the end of the season that I realized I could have the chance to wear the bleu-blanc-rouge. It's really special," confessed Zerter-Gossage, who plans on completing his four-year degree at Harvard. "It's always been the Canadiens for me, all my life. Being from Montreal, I know it's an incredible opportunity. It's really an honor."
The camp wraps up Wednesday with a scrimmage at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard.