Skills coach helps Jonah Lemoine score goals
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/04/2024 (786 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Having a skills coach like Tyler Dittmer has only made rookie Jonah Lemoine a better offensive threat for the U18 AAA Brandon Wheat Kings.
Just look at his skills as a first-year player on the powerhouse Wheaties, currently enjoying East Coast hospitality in Cape Breton playing at the seven-day Telus Cup U18 national championship at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre just south of Sydney.
“We do shoot the puck a lot when we play,” said Brandon-born Lemoine. “Our skills coach has taught us to get into our lanes, then get out, then crash the net looking for rebounds.”
He was happy with coach Travis Mealy’s pre-tournament practices at J&G Homes Arena prior to leaving this past Saturday from Regina to Nova Scotia.
“We were working on the little details to prepare … working on our five-on-five like we are playing a game against each other … to push the pace as we’ve not played any games since west regionals,” he said.
Playing in the Hockey Brandon system since signing up for Timbits hockey, Lemoine was cut when he moved up to U15, not making the AA or A teams.
“I just think I had a bad tryout with those two teams,” he said, having to play house league for one season before making the U15 AAA team the following season.
During his championship season when the Wheat Kings dominated in league and playoff play, Lemoine finished with 80 points.
Standing five-foot-seven and tipping the weight scale at 145 pounds, Lemoine has moved between the second and third lines during his rookie season in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League.
“When you are out with skilled guys, you learn to move the puck quickly when making plays. It’s nice as a young player on this team to be able to produce, and contribute to our offence.”– Jonah Lemoine
Having to play with older and skilled linemates has rubbed off on him, and this is event in his offensive numbers this past season.
He finished seventh in team scoring with 16 goals and 45 points in 44 games. His offensive totals included five power-play goals, eight power-play assists and four game-winners.
During the playoffs, Lemoine found the back of the net twice, and added two assists in nine games.
The Wheat Kings coach used the rookie on the second power-play unit, where he had success playing with more skilled teammates.
“When you are out with skilled guys, you learn to move the puck quickly when making plays,” he offered. “It’s nice as a young player on this team to be able to produce, and contribute to our offence.”
While the majority of his teammates are making their inaugural trip to the East Coast, Lemoine spent time in New Brunswick when he attended a family wedding. He was able to sample lobster, but is not a fan of the Atlantic shell fish because of the “taste.”
When he was on the bench waiting for his next shift, Lemoine always enjoined watching the first line, especially the offensive exploits of the league’s top two scorers, Jaxon Jacobson and Brady Turko.
“It’s crazy watching them, and seeing what they do with the puck,” he said. “They are definitely fun to watch, and I’m happy they are on my team. That line kept us engaged every time they were on the ice.”
A ninth-round draft pick of the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders, Lemoine said his first camp was awesome, to play on a line with established players, or go up against them during five-on-five scrimmages.
“It was definitely a learning experience, to learn what you need to do to be ready to move up to that next level,” he said.
He’s expecting to be drafted this June when the Manitoba Junior Hockey League holds its draft. He has a lot more hockey ahead before he decides what direction he will go — junior or major junior hockey.
For now, he’s focused on using his strengths to help his team bring home a second U18 AAA national banner like the Wheat Kings did in 2014.
“I’m a two-way player and I use my hockey IQ as an advantage when I’m playing,” he explained. “Playing smart is an advantage because it helps me know where my teammates are, and where I need to be … to see the lanes when I need to take a shot, or on defence to stop the puck when the other team is in our zone.”
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