Cleve Dheensaw / Times Colonist
OCTOBER 25, 2018 09:53 PM
Whatever that Quebec connection is the Victoria Grizzlies have, it’s working. The trio of Jérémie Bucheler and brothers Alex and Charlie Campbell worked out together in the same gym over the summer in Montreal.
They are having a blast now together on the West Coast, with Alex Campbell and Bucheler especially, having breakout seasons. Campbell’s is beginning to be well-chronicled as he has risen rapidly with some prognosticators having him listed for the late second round or early third round of the 2019 NHL draft. While that’s not in the heady realm of fellow-Grizzlies forward Alex Newook, who is projected for the first round, let’s not forget rookie Campbell wasn’t on anybody’s draft list to start the B.C. Hockey League season.
While not up there yet on pro draft boards, the six-foot-four Bucheler has been making his own quiet statement on the Grizzlies’ blue line, as a rearguard with size and some offensive sizzle, with three goals and 11 assists for 14 points in 17 games.
“Who doesn’t like playing offence? That’s the fun part of the game, especially on a team like this with such good forwards,” said Bucheler.
“I’ve always liked to help out on offence. But a defenceman knows he has to be two-way and has to take care of his own end.”
Bucheler has been playing both ends just fine this season. He is heading to NCAA Div. 1 at Northeastern University next season. Not that it’s making him complacent. Far from it.
“You want to keep improving to show them [Northeastern] they made a good decision,” said Bucheler.
He was a first-round pick in the 2016 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League bantam draft, who went 15th overall to Blainville-Boisbriand, before deciding on the Junior A route and playing last season for Chicago Steel of the USHL.
Bucheler and Grizzlies captain Newhook, the Newfoundland native bound for Boston College, share the same Montreal-based NCAA family adviser. That connection helped lead Bucheler to The Q Centre this season.
The goal is eventually pro hockey. Pressed about a favourite defenceman he emulates in the NHL, Bucheler said he doesn’t think about that much, but if he had to pick, he would tab Victor Hedman because of the size and offensive parallels: “He’s a bigger guy with a good offensive upside.”
Bucheler could be describing himself, relatively of course, at the BCHL level.
“Jérémie is a strong guy with a good stick and who can skate with pace,” said Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon.
Didmon said all Bucheler really needed to bloom was a chance. He’s getting plenty of those now.
“I’m getting more ice time this season and feeling trusted, and that gives you more confidence,” said Bucheler.
So much so that Bucheler’s name has come up — with that of Grizzlies teammates Newhook, Alex Campbell, Carter Berger and New York Rangers draft pick Riley Hughes — for the World Junior A Challenge. The international tournament will feature Canada West, Canada East, the U.S., Czech Republic and Russia in December in Bonnyville, Alta., and will be scouted by the NHL.
“I would definitely like to play in that tournament,” said Bucheler, who has previous representative experience with the Quebec U-16 team.
“But I know it won’t come easy and I have to work hard to be invited.”
Hard work is definitely what will be needed this weekend as the Island Division-leading Grizzlies (10-6-1) embark on what will be a telling road swing. It begins tonight in Chilliwack against the Mainland Division and league-leading Chiefs (13-5) and continues Saturday in Merritt against the Interior Division-leading Centennials (11-7). Sunday’s game in Surrey against the BCHL last-place Eagles (5-14) might seem like a respite, except that the Eagles’ 6-5 shootout victory over Victoria last Sunday in The Q Centre is still sharply fresh in the memory.
“This road trip is going to be a real challenge,” said Didmon.
Bucheler concurred.
“We have to play our game and go out there and pick up some tough road wins,” said the emerging Grizzlies blue-liner.
LOOSE PUCKS: The Grizzlies’ next home game is Nov. 2 when the Trail Smoke Eaters pay a visit to The Q Centre.
