Bozon brings French flavour to Habs
Youngster adapting to North America
Ask Guy Charron about Canadiens prospect Tim Bozon and he’ll start by talking about the youngster’s determination.
“It’s quite a decision for a young man from Europe to come over and play in the (Canadian Hockey League),” Charron said. “It’s a big adjustment in the way the game is played and learning to adapt to a new language and culture, but he’s handled it very well.”
Bozon, who was selected by the Canadiens in the third round (64th overall) at this year’s National Hockey League entry draft, had a successful rookie season with the Kamloops Blazers. He averaged a point a game, with 36 goals and 35 assists in 71 Western Hockey League games, and was a plus-27.
Charron, who coaches the Blazers, said Bozon has been building on that solid foundation.
“There’s never been any question about his offensive skills, but he’s learning to be more of an all-around player,” said Charron, whose resumé includes stints with the Canadiens as a player and an assistant coach. “He has determination, and if he continues to improve I think he can be a good NHL player. I don’t want to say that he’ll be another Luc Robitaille, but his game is similar.”
Bozon’s story is a bit different because he comes from France, a country that has produced only a handful of NHL players. Fortunately for Bozon, one of those players was his father, Philippe, who has proved to be an excellent role model.
Bozon père also showed his determination when he left France to play with St-Jean in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He went on to become the first French-born player in the NHL, playing 144 games over four seasons with the St. Louis Blues in the early 1990s.
Tim Bozon was born in St. Louis, but spent his formative years in Europe. He split the year between summers in France and winters in Switzerland, where his father played and later coached.
When he was drafted by the Canadiens in June, Bozon said his transition to North America was made easier because there are a large number of North Americans who play in the Swiss League.
The younger Bozon said he decided to follow in his dad’s skate tracks when he was 16 and declared his eligibility for the CHL import draft.
“We had some contact with his agent and we knew his father, but there was no guarantee that we would have a chance to draft him,” said Charron, who said the Blazers were fortunate when Bozon was available as the 27th pick in the first round of the WHL draft.
“He didn’t take much time to fit in,” Charron added. “He makes friends quickly. We have him playing on the top line and he has good chemistry with Colin Smith and J.C. Lipon.”
In fact, Charron said sometimes the chemistry is too good.
“I had to take him aside last week and encourage him to shoot more,” Charron said. “The next few weeks will be good for him because (Lipon) will be with the Canadian junior team and Tim will be asked to do more.”
Bozon is ahead of last season’s pace with 17 goals and 27 assists in 34 games and is a plus-22. He said his strong plus-minus numbers are a matter of a good offence being the best defence.
“When we’re on the ice, we control the puck a lot,” Bozon said. “We don’t give the other team a chance to score against us.”
Bozon has represented France in inter national competition, but the country didn’t qualify for the world junior championship later this month in Russia. France is the host for the second-tier Division I Group A junior championship, but Bozon declined an invitation to lead a weak French team after discussing the matter with his agent, the Blazers and, presumably, the Canadiens.
“We just decided that it would be best for my development if I stayed here,” he said.
While there are questions about whether he takes full advantage of his size, Bozon said he has been working to get bigger and stronger.
“I’ve added about 15 pounds since the draft,” said Bozon, bringing him close to 200 pounds on a 6-foot-1 frame.
Bozon attended the Canadiens’ development camp after he was drafted in June and had been looking forward to making an impression at the NHL training camp, which was cancelled because of the lockout.
But the Canadiens are keeping tabs on Bozon.
The director of player development, Martin Lapointe, has asked him for some tape. “We’ll send him some of his better games and some of his not-so-good games,” Charron said.