Eagles back on the ice.
Eagles’ Langlois hopes to produce more offense in his second season in the QMJHL
SYDNEY — It wasn't surprising to see Jérémy Langlois name on the score sheet when he played midget hockey in Quebec.
Prior to being drafted in the first round by the Cape Breton Eagles in 2019, the 17-year-old defenceman was no stranger to producing offense for the Quebec Cyclones of the Quebec Midget Espoir Hockey League.
During the 2018-19 campaign, Langlois had 12 goals and 29 points in 32 games in the midget league, production he hoped would carry over to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Unfortunately, Langlois was disappointed with his offensive game in his rookie year with the Eagles last season. He posted seven assists in 50 games but knows those numbers will improve this year.
“I want to have more points this year and I want to help the team win,” said Langlois, who is still seeking his first career QMJHL goal.
“I had some opportunities last weekend in Bathurst for my first goal, so I'd like to put the puck behind the goalie sooner rather than later, but I know I'll be happy when it finally happens.”
Along with offensive production, Langlois is focusing his second year in the league on improving each game and continuing his development as a young blue-liner.
“I worked hard all summer to get stronger for the season,” said Langlois. “I'm going to have a bigger role this year, so I want to improve my game with the minutes I'll get, and I want to continue to work on my weaknesses.”
In August 2019, Langlois' hard work both on and off the ice was evident during his first camp in Sydney. His puck-moving ability and composure led him to be one of the first rookie players signed by the team that season.
Like many first-year players, it took time for Langlois to adjust to major junior hockey. He said the adjustment period took about a month and he credits defencemen Jarrett Baker and former Eagle Adam McCormick for helping him find his way.
“Those guys are complete defencemen, both offensively and defensively,” said Langlois. “I watched them guys quite a bit last year and I guess I learned from there – it was a challenge being 16-years-old playing against guys as old as 20-years-old.”
Langlois' stellar play defensively was noticed by the league and he proved to fans the Eagles didn't make a mistake taking him with their top pick in the draft.
“I was happy with my play on the ice last season,” said Langlois. “I felt like I became a better player every shift and I thought things went well – I'm going to bring that experience back this year.”
With a young defence core this season, which includes four 17-year-olds, Langlois feels ready for an expanded role with the team.
“I was waiting for the moment to come,” said Langlois. “Everyone wants to have more opportunity and when it comes your way you have to take advantage of it and I'm looking forward to the chance.”
The Eagles are coming off a pair off losses to the Maritime Division-leading Acadie-Bathurst Titan on the road. The club lost 8-1 on Saturday and 6-4 on Friday at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre in Bathurst, N.B.
Although the team didn't get the results they had hoped for, Langlois believes the club will be ready to play when they hit the ice for a pair of games against the Halifax Mooseheads this weekend in Sydney.
“I think Bathurst is a good team,” said Langlois. “They work hard, they're not the most skilled team, but the work-ethic makes up for it.
“We expect to win both games this weekend. I think we're better than Halifax in both the offensive and defensive zone – it should make for two good games.”
Cape Breton (2-4-0-0) enters the game sitting fifth in the Maritime Division with four points. The club is led offensively by captain Shawn Element who has three goals and 11 points in six games.
As for the Mooseheads, (2-3-1-0), who last played on Saturday, defeating the Saint John Sea Dogs 5-4 in a shootout, they're currently third in the Maritime Division. The team will look to forwards Zachary L'Heureux (3 goals, 7 points), Elliot Desnoyers (2 goals, 6 points) and rookie Markus Vidicek (3 goals, 6 points) for offense.
The Eagles and Mooseheads will meet Friday at 7 p.m. at Centre 200. The teams will also hit the ice on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Sydney venue.