MONTREAL – To see the instant chemistry between Nick Suzuki and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, we thought that the captain of the Canadian could read in the brain of the Quebecer. But the connection between them instead dates back to the Las Vegas Golden Knights rookie camp in 2018.
Harvey-Pinard had just been passed over in the NHL draft for the second year in a row after an excellent season with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies under Mario Pouliot.
Pouliot’s son, Raphaël, worked and still works as a scout for the Golden Knights. So he tricked his bosses into inviting RHP to the organization’s recruit camp.
This beautiful little story was simply mentioned by Suzuki when the author of these lines asked him about this intriguing chemistry that led to two goals against Ottawa.
“It goes back to rookie camp in Vegas. I don’t know if people know this, but we were together and we bonded. He plays the right way so I know where he will be most of the time. It’s fun to see an athlete prove his point in this way,” Suzuki said with great respect for the number 49.
“I’m thinking of HP playing very well, it could help him establish himself in the NHL,” added Suzuki when asked about the many opportunities that arise because of the injuries.
It was enough to cross the locker room to get more details from the sensation of the hour at the Canadian.
“I’m still surprised that Nick remembers it,” he reacted with great humility. We had played a few games together during camp. It still clicked. “
“I had already seen his highlights. You see he’s such a smart guy. In camp, it seemed, he plays both sides of the rink. He has such good vision, it was already visible in Vegas. The following year (in 2019), I played against him at the Memorial Cup,” said Harvey-Pinard.
For the record, remember that Harvey-Pinard and the Huskies won this tournament while eliminating Suzuki and the Guelph Storm with a 6-4 win in the semi-finals. Suzuki remembers that it was difficult to face them.
The 24-year-old skater may have shone with Alex Belzile and Michael Pezzetta since his recall, but it’s a game-changer when the coach gives you such a promotion.
“Yes, it gives me energy to be paired up with two guys like them who are extremely talented. It’s a message to keep working hard and doing what I do,” RHP said with all his kindness.
With a production of five goals and an assist in seven games, Harvey-Pinard would have something to pinch.
“It’s going very well, but I’m not 100% satisfied. I think I can do some details even better, ”said the man who is above all proud of the consistency displayed except in the match in Ottawa.
Having gone undrafted, Arber Xhekaj can understand the hardships overcame by Harvey-Pinard, a seventh-round selection in his third year of eligibility.
“Of course, you have to find a way to surrender and that’s exactly what he does. We really like his energy in the locker room too. He’s a good youngster and he produces more, he’s doing well, ”commented the imposing defender.
“He and (Alex) Belzile were awesome. They are so positive and they get high every game. No matter how the game goes for the team, they respond present and that helps us, ”he continued.
what they said
“It’s a league that is physically and mentally demanding. We don’t get the results we want, but we work and look for the answers. It can get demoralizing not to win after playing a strong game. With all the work we do, taking a short break will help our team and our injured people,” St-Louis said of the ten-day leave.
“If you watch Nick’s performance under the microscope all the time, you’re going to notice differences and that’s normal so you have to be careful with that. I want to give him the chance to correct himself and not inundate him with coaching advice. I’m happy, he played a good game and it will be beneficial for him to leave towards the break in this way. I know there’s a lot of pressure on him, but if you look at what he’s been doing since the start, there’s a lot more good things, “said St-Louis about the captain who amassed two assists to reach the plateau of 40 points in 51 games.
