Rivermen goalie headed for national tournament

It's a long way from the Lord Beaverbrook Arena to British Columbia, but that's where one of the Miramichi Rae's Yamaha Rivermen is headed.

Julien Daigle was one of two goalies chosen for the under 17 Team Atlantic for an upcoming tournament in Port Alberni, B.C.

The soft spoken Daigle said he found out he made the team Nov. 25 and was surprised because he beat out a goalie that was drafted into the QMJHL.

"I didn't really expect to, but I had a little bit of hope."

The team had its first look at Daigle during an invitation camp last summer and also considered how he played throughout the season, he said. "Summer can be a little rusty."

Training camp runs Dec. 20-23 in Amherst and the team leaves for B.C. Dec. 26. Daigle said this will be his first time on an airplane and he was both excited and nervous about the trip.

"I'm really happy about everything."

When he told his Rivermen teammates he made the team, Daigle said they compared him to the goalie from the QMJHL.

"If you got picked before him you're good," they said.

Rivermen executive member Clarrie Hale said only five players on the under 17 team are from the major/midget AAA level and the rest are from the QMJHL.

"It's just an indication how good this young fellow is."

The other Rivermen were happy to hear Daigle made the team, but the goalie didn't mention it to them when he got the news, he said.

"They were quite happy for him."

Hale said the Rivermen may lose Daigle for a game, but the tournament is around Christmas time so he didn't expect it to affect the team much.

"Over the Christmas break it's not too bad."

Daigle said at this point he doesn't know how Team Atlantic will play the goalies or if he will be the starter throughout the tournament.

"It's probably going to be picked at the camp."

This won't be the first time Daigle will play on a bigger stage than he is used to with the Rivermen. Last year he played on the under 16 Team New Brunswick, where he said he got to meet a lot of new people.

"It's fun because it's more competitive."

Daigle said he knows a couple of his new teammates because he played with them on Team New Brunswick or against them throughout the season.

"You get a little more respect from them next time you meet them."