Whatever that Quebec connection is the Victoria Grizzlies have, it鈥檚 working. The trio of J茅r茅mie Bucheler and brothers Alex and Charlie Campbell worked out together in the same gym over the summer in Montreal.
They are having a blast now together on the West Coast, with Alex Campbell and Bucheler especially, having breakout seasons. Campbell鈥檚 is beginning to be well-chronicled as he has risen rapidly with some prognosticators having him listed for the late second round or early third round of the 2019 NHL draft. While that鈥檚 not in the heady realm of fellow-Grizzlies forward Alex Newook, who is projected for the first round, let鈥檚 not forget rookie Campbell wasn鈥檛 on anybody鈥檚 draft list to start the sa国际传媒 Hockey League season.
While not up there yet on pro draft boards, the six-foot-four Bucheler has been making his own quiet statement on the Grizzlies鈥� blue line, as a rearguard with size and some offensive sizzle, with three goals and 11 assists for 14 points in 17 games.
鈥淲ho doesn鈥檛 like playing offence? That鈥檚 the fun part of the game, especially on a team like this with such good forwards,鈥� said Bucheler.
鈥淚鈥檝e always liked to help out on offence. But a defenceman knows he has to be two-way and has to take care of his own end.鈥�
Bucheler has been playing both ends just fine this season. He is heading to NCAA Div. 1 at Northeastern University next season. Not that it鈥檚 making him complacent. Far from it.
鈥淵ou want to keep improving to show them [Northeastern] they made a good decision,鈥� said Bucheler.
He was a first-round pick in the 2016 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League bantam draft, who went 15th overall to Blainville-Boisbriand, before deciding on the Junior A route and playing last season for Chicago Steel of the USHL.
Bucheler and Grizzlies captain Newhook, the Newfoundland native bound for Boston College, share the same Montreal-based NCAA family adviser. That connection helped lead Bucheler to The Q Centre this season.
The goal is eventually pro hockey. Pressed about a favourite defenceman he emulates in the NHL, Bucheler said he doesn鈥檛 think about that much, but if he had to pick, he would tab Victor Hedman because of the size and offensive parallels: 鈥淗e鈥檚 a bigger guy with a good offensive upside.鈥�
Bucheler could be describing himself, relatively of course, at the BCHL level.
鈥淛茅r茅mie is a strong guy with a good stick and who can skate with pace,鈥� said Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon.
Didmon said all Bucheler really needed to bloom was a chance. He鈥檚 getting plenty of those now.
鈥淚鈥檓 getting more ice time this season and feeling trusted, and that gives you more confidence,鈥� said Bucheler.
So much so that Bucheler鈥檚 name has come up 鈥� with that of Grizzlies teammates Newhook, Alex Campbell, Carter Berger and New York Rangers draft pick Riley Hughes 鈥� for the World Junior A Challenge. The international tournament will feature sa国际传媒 West, sa国际传媒 East, the U.S., Czech Republic and Russia in December in Bonnyville, Alta., and will be scouted by the NHL.
鈥淚 would definitely like to play in that tournament,鈥� said Bucheler, who has previous representative experience with the Quebec U-16 team.
鈥淏ut I know it won鈥檛 come easy and I have to work hard to be invited.鈥�
Hard work is definitely what will be needed this weekend as the Island Division-leading Grizzlies (10-6-1) embark on what will be a telling road swing. It begins tonight in Chilliwack against the Mainland Division and league-leading Chiefs (13-5) and continues Saturday in Merritt against the Interior Division-leading Centennials (11-7). Sunday鈥檚 game in Surrey against the BCHL last-place Eagles (5-14) might seem like a respite, except that the Eagles鈥� 6-5 shootout victory over Victoria last Sunday in The Q Centre is still sharply fresh in the memory.
鈥淭his road trip is going to be a real challenge,鈥� said Didmon.
Bucheler concurred.
鈥淲e have to play our game and go out there and pick up some tough road wins,鈥� said the emerging Grizzlies blue-liner.
LOOSE PUCKS: The Grizzlies鈥� next home game is Nov. 2 when the Trail Smoke Eaters pay a visit to The Q Centre.
