Maveric Lamoureux could be excused for thinking this all is a dream.
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At age 20, the Laval native is a rookie defenceman for the Utah Hockey Club. He spent an off-day Monday touring some of his old stomping grounds while visiting family and friends. He had a media throng waiting for him on Tuesday after the team’s morning skate at the Bell Centre, prior to facing the Canadiens Tuesday night.
Little wonder the smile never left his face, with Lemoureux quickly realizing he’s no longer in Salt Lake City — or Tucson for that matter. That’s where he was playing for the AHL Roadrunners before Utah sustained injuries to defencemen Sean Durzi and John Marino, forcing it to recall Lamoureux on Oct. 23. He made his NHL debut the following night, during a 5-1 loss to Colorado, and hasn’t looked back.
“It definitely feels good. It’s going to be special tonight for sure,” said Lamoureux, selected 29th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2022. “I’ve been watching games here since I was 5 or 6 years old. Playing on that ice is going to be a good moment.
“There’s not many (20 year olds) in the NHL. I feel like it’s a battle every day. You have to earn your place every day because I’m playing against some dads who are 35 years old or 30, that have played their whole careers in the NHL. That was the biggest adjustment — playing with people way older than me. Bigger and stronger, too.”
Bigger? Not likely. Even off skates, the 6-foot-6 Lamoureux towers over many. But at 196 pounds, he’s somewhat gangly-looking at first sight. On the ice, however, it’s a different story.
Lamoureux is a strong skater who moves the puck well and is aware in the offensive zone. He’s obviously physical, given his size, but has the skill, finesse and shot of a smaller player. And he enjoys a reach advantage when battling for loose pucks or attempting to poke check opposing players.
Utah head coach André Tourigny has Lamoureux, a right-handed shot, teamed on the blue line, with veteran Ian Cole, 35. Lamoureux has a goal and three points in 14 games, and already has a team-leading 40 penalty minutes. Lamoureux’s father, Patrick, spent six seasons playing right wing in the North American Hockey League — known more for its nightly brawls than on-ice skills.
“Was it a press conference or a reality show?” Tourigny quipped about the media demands for Lamoureux. “He’s a great skater, a great kid who’s easy to coach. Good with the puck. He’s strong physically. He needs to learn the balance in his physicality. But so far he’s doing a really good job.”
Given Lamoureux’s age, this will be a baptism by fire. Tourigny will be forced to live with some mistakes caused by inexperience and youthful exuberance.
“Ready or not, that’s the NHL. Throw him in the pool and he needs to figure it out,” Tourigny said. “He’s doing a good job. It’s not like he’s surviving right now. He’s really helping us every night to win games.”
Lamoureux and his family moved to Hawkesbury, Ont., when he was 14 to improve his English. He spent four seasons playing junior in Drummondville — the Voltigeurs selecting him 12th overall in the 2020 midget draft — where his statistics improved annually. He also was a member of Team Canada at last year’s world junior championship in Sweden.
Lamoureux has already overcome adversity in his young career, having undergone two shoulder surgeries.
“There’s nothing bad about being in the NHL,” said Lamoureux, although he and his teammates were forced to walk to Scotiabank Arena Sunday night for their game against Toronto after their bus got stuck in traffic en route. “That was a good moment. I felt like a bunch of the guys never saw that before. I feel like I’m living a lot of stuff already, but walking to the game … it was definitely weird walking the streets of Toronto for 10-15 minutes. It wasn’t too bad.
“I feel like I’ve adjusted pretty well. I feel like now, playing in the NHL, is normal for me. It’s just my day now. Being in the NHL, it’s always good.”