BY MIKE MASTOVICH
The Tribune-Democrat
October 03, 2007 11:16 pm
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The Johnstown Chiefs training camp roster continued to take shape on Wednesday as highly touted prospect Alexandre Imbeault skated at Planet Ice.
The Chiefs also announced the signing of defenseman Vincent Zaore of Colorado College, and coach Ian Herbers said he expects defenseman Brandon Straub to arrive in Johnstown after participating in the Colorado Avalanche’s NHL and AHL camps.
“We possibly will have 30 players in camp. There will be some tough decisions for me, but that’s good,” Herbers said Wednesday afternoon, two days before camp officially opens at Cambria County War Memorial Arena. “That will make the players competing for spots better and it will make the team better.”
Imbeault had 57 points in 39 games last season with Chicoutimi in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Overall, he had 208 regular-season points in the QMJHL.
More importantly, the 6-foot native of Montreal had a productive showing in camp with the Boston Bruins’ AHL affiliate.
“He had a really good camp in Providence. He opened some eyes there,” Herbers said. “He had two power-play goals in the first exhibition game and an assist in the third game. He impressed the Bruins organization and may get some opportunities in the organization later on this year.”
Reports from Planet Ice were that Imbeault, who is on an ECHL contract, has good hands and skates well.
“Imbeault is a skilled right wing-center. He’s played both in the past,” Herbers said. “He’s able to put the puck in the net and able to set up the other players as well. He’s got a quick release and a good scoring touch. He’ll bring scoring and offense to our lineup. He’s another player with good character and a great work ethic.”
Zaore had 24 points and 139 penalty minutes in 70 games with Victoriaville in the QMJHL last season, his fifth in the league. The 6-2, 195-pounder also appeared in four postseasons.
“Vincent is a great character person. He comes to the rink every day to get better and he works hard,” Herbers said. “He’s a big mobile defenseman, a good, solid defenseman. He likes taking care of his own zone. But at the same time, he can get up the ice.”
Straub attended the Lake Erie Monsters’ AHL camp in Cleveland. The 6-4, 230-pounder adds a physical dimension.
“He’s a big solid defenseman,” Herbers said. “He put up some numbers. He had a couple fights. He played a two-way game. He tries to help at the other end as well. I don’t want the defensemen standing still and being spectators. I want to have a five-man attack instead of relying on three forwards to do the work.”
Herbers said he will have assistance during training camp from former Johnstown Wings player Steve Emmett, who operates a hockey training school in Canada and the U.S., and Ontario Hockey League scout Eric Muppola.
“It’s always good to have an extra set of eyes,” Herbers said.
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