Mathieu Cataford is anticipating a big year since Rimouski will host the Memorial Cup and he has his eyes fixed on his dream of participating in the World Junior Championship after being invited to the summer camp with three other Quebecers.
Last season’s MVP in the QMJHL, he will also experience a great moment when he returns Sunday to Halifax, where he played his first three seasons on the circuit.
“I’ve been looking forward to playing this match for a long time. Halifax has been a great organization and a great city with great fans. I really have good memories and good words. It’s going to be a little emotional, but I can’t wait,” he told the show 5 to 7.
Now in an Océanic uniform, the 19-year-old center is still acclimating to his environment and says, among other things, he is working to develop chemistry with his teammates. Rimouski lost its first two games before dominating Gatineau 7-4 last Saturday and Cataford has 5 points.
“We have shown great things offensively since the start by scoring 10 goals (all in the last two duels, Editor’s note). It’s more defensively that we will have to work on a few things. With the talent that is in the locker room, we are not worried that we will be able to bounce back. »
Cataford, who had 40 goals and 50 assists in 65 games last season, returns from his first professional camp with the Vegas Golden Knights, who drafted him in the third round in 2023.
“It was a very nice experience. Last year I was injured and couldn’t take part. But this year it started with three rookie matches in Los Angeles, I think I had very good matches. In the main camp with the NHL players, I really saw a difference with the best players in the world. I really enjoyed my preseason game in Vegas against the Kings. »
“They would like me to gain muscle mass. I don’t think I’m a small player, but at 5’11 and 193 pounds in the NHL, it kind of is, especially in an organization that has some big, heavy players. They also want me to improve my speed. They are still happy with the development that I have made in the last two years, but there is still room for progress,” added the man who appreciated his exchanges with Dominique Ducharme and Nicolas Roy, two Quebecers who understood him well. welcomed to Vegas.
