Brant Blackned of Wemindji is making headlines with his hockey and leadership skills as captain of the Halifax Mooseheads. This article appeared in The Montreal Gazette on March 8 in the Junior Hockey column written by Herb Zurkowsky.
Brant Blackned had a feeling he was going to be left unprotected and his worst fears were realized when he was claimed by the Halifax Mooseheads.
“It was a bit of a shock and I was kind of scared of the change. I wasn’t ready for it”
Life would never be the same. How could it be? After three years with the Laval Titan, including two consecutive trips to the Memorial Cup, Blackned was now off to an expansion team.
Today, nine months later, Blackned has seized the opportunity, turning the challenge into his personal conquest.
The 20-year-old left-winger is playing the best hockey of his Quebec Major Junior Hockey League career. Named the Mooseheads’ captain, Biackned is leading the team in scoring with 41 goals and 89 points in 66 games. Last year with Laval he went 31-49-80 in 63 games.
His penalty minutes are down, too, from 151 a year ago to 74. He has matured, becoming a complete player. Of course, his role has changed, his ice time increased.
“I was scared,” said Halifax coach and general manager Clement Jodoin. “Coming from a winning team, I wondered how he would act and react.
“I made him my captain because he leads by example. He went to the Memorial Cup a couple of years and we needed some leaders. He’s good on and off the ice and is good with the kids.
“I knew he had some skills, but he has surprised me.”
The 6-foot, 210-pound Native Canadian from Wemindji, Que., is undrafted. He’s hoping for a tryout in the American or International Leagues and would consider playing in Europe. A college career at an Atlantic university is also a possibility.
Jodoin said Blackned is talented enough to pursue a pro career.
“He’s got hockey sense and ability. It’s up to him to push. We’re going to make the play-offs.
That will probably dictate his future.”
