QMJHL: Carrier coming to the forefront in Cape Breton

The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles may not be having a stellar season this year but there is definitely reason for optimism when training camps rolls around in September.

Cape Breton decided to be a seller during the QMJHL's final trading period with 10 separate deals being faxed to the league's head office which made the team significantly younger. The hope for the Screaming Eagles is it sets up them up to be a force in the Maritimes Division. Cape Breton moved several established players and NHL draft picks as part of their youth movement, including Montreal Canadiens pick Morgan Ellis and Florida Panthers selection Logan Shaw.

One player that was highly sought after but did not budge from Cape Breton is forward William Carrier. The 17-year-old winger from Pierrefonds, Que., is considered to be a major piece in the Screaming Eagles' puzzle for the next couple of seasons. The 6-foot, 205-pounder, who is not eligible for the NHL draft until 2013, is second in team scoring with 21 goals and 54 points in 51 games and has cracked the top 30 in league scoring.

"Willie has really taken ownership of his game this season," Cape Breton head coach Ron Choules says. "Once he realized that he needed to work a little harder in practice it started to come together for him because he has a tremendous amount of skill."

On Thursday in Gatineau, Carrier chipped in with a three-goal performance and was named the game's first star despite the Screaming Eagles losing the match 6-5. It's rare to see a visiting player get that honour when his team loses.

Some would say Carrier having to wait a season to be drafted might be a bad thing with the way he is playing this season. Others, including the young prospect, can live with it because it will give him another year to develop.

"It took me a while to get comfortable in the Q," Carrier says. "I feel that I am starting to feel more at ease so another year of experience and development will definitely help me in my cause to play professional hockey one day."

His coach is already one his biggest fans and believes Carrier has an untapped skill level yet to be seen.

"Willie, at just 17 years old is already one of my go to guys, he competes hard every game and is extremely difficult to contain down low," Choules says.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing him progress for the remainder of this year and into next season. He is going to be part of our core group along with Bronson Beaton, Kyle Farrell and Cole Murphy."

For now Carrier is still learning the ropes in the league and is being groomed by Cape Breton team captain, Jonathan Brunelle. Brunelle is playing his overage season after being acquired by Cape Breton from the Drummondville Voltigeurs during the summer. Brunelle leads the club in scoring with 20 goals and 63 points and has been a tremendous role model for Carrier and the rest of the team throughout the season.

The Boisbriand, Que., native participated in the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup and has undoubtedly passed on that experience to Carrier and Company.

"Jonathan has been in the league for four years, played in the Memorial Cup and is exactly the kind of player that I have to follow and learn from," said Carrier. "He has taught me how to be successful at this level and been the perfect role model for all the young guys on our team."

Cape Breton is still in the playoff hunt with 42 points after 52 games but the club is dangerously close to being on the outside looking in.

They sit in 15th place ahead of only the P.E.I. Rocket and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, who are each four points back. Only the last-place team misses the playoffs.

Mike Beasley is a QMJHL columnist for Buzzing The Net (photo: The Canadian Press; video: Telus).