Selected in the fourth round of the last NHL draft by the Montreal Canadiens, striker John “LJ” Mooney is not very imposing at 5 pp 7 in, but like many other small players, this is what motivates him.
Going to the Canadian Development Camp in Brossard on Wednesday, the 18 -year -old American met the journalists and of course, he was questioned about his size. Which bothers him … but not really.
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“It helps me, it motivates me a lot to hear it all,” he said. There are other guys who did it, I can do it too. Prove to people they are wrong. It’s very big for me. “
That’s good, because there are, within the Habs, some models to follow for him. Starting with a certain Caufield Cole. Or Lane Hutson, of which he knows one of the brothers. Or the team’s head coach, Martin St-Louis who, at 5 pi 8 in, had a sparkling career that led him to the renowned temple.
“Many people tell me about it, what he (St-Louis) did in the NHL as a smaller player, he likes the gym too and I try to do this too,” said the young man, who promises to do what is necessary to add muscle mass.
LJ Mooney electrifying in Brossard –
Skilled and fiery, Mooney describes himself as a very competitive, working player, who presents a positive attitude every day. To see him smile throughout his press point, there is no need to doubt it.
His goal of the day?
“Show everything I can do, my speed, my skills, a little robustness, block shots and have fun,” he admitted without detour, emphasizing how much to wear the colors of CH was “a special sensation”.
The Cousin of Cooley
Mooney’s cousin is the young Mammoth attacker from Utah Logan Cooley. An advantage for him, he assured.
“I grew up with him, playing and skating with him,” he revealed. It is obviously a model for me now that it is in the NHL. I am inspired by his way of playing. I skate with him in summer, I try to take ends of his game and bring them to mine. I am very lucky to have it around me. ”
Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin
The young person obviously said he was very excited to have been drafted by the Habs.
“I was at home in Pittsburgh, my sisters were there and they were very excited,” he said. It was pretty cool to see it happening, I was very back from seeing this organization to choose me. ”
Mooney, whose skills were well rated, “slipped” to the fourth round before being selected. Which was too likely to disturb him.
“When the Canadian repeated me, it was time to get to work,” he said. You are drafted, it doesn’t matter where, you put yourself at work and you show what you can do. “
Oh, and why does he call himself “LJ”?
“My father is called John, the” L “is for” Little John, “he said. Everyone calls me like that at home. ”
See his full press point on the main video.
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