The pipeline of young hockey goalies from North Bay and the area continues to flow. Like recent predecessors Ken Appleby, Colton Point and Nate McDonald, 14-year-old Ben Gaudreau has been turning heads with his play and now he is doing it at the international level.
Gaudreau recently returned from a week-long trip to France and Italy to play in the World Selects Invitational (for players born in 2003). He was one of two goalies on the East Coast Selects Ontario squad that lost 4-0 in the semifinals to a powerful Russia-Moscow team, the eventual champions.
Gaudreau served as the backup for the semifinals, as New Jersey-native and good friend Thomas Heaney took the loss. The netminders took turns starting and supporting one another throughout the 22-team tournament.
Gaudreau was the winning goalie as his team defeated Finland 5-1 in the quarterfinals. "At the start of the third period, it was 1-1, then one of our players got hurt. We kind of picked it up from there, and with that momentum, we scored four goals in a row," said Gaudreau.
The Selects team first took notice of Gaudreau's play two seasons ago. He played in three North American tournaments, but the timing to join the group for the European dates did not work out. This year, when coaches Joe Templin and Chris Zarb approached the family with more notice, Ben's mother Charlotte was able to accompany him for the tournament.
"The competition was really good, especially with the high-end teams like Russia and Sweden," said Gaudreau, adding that it was "the best he's ever faced." Coach Templin, a former NCAA-level goaltender himself, played a crucial role in settling down the young tandem of goaltenders as the tournament went on, said Gaudreau.
The international ice surface presented some challenges for the young goalie early, but he quickly overcame them. Said Gaudreau, "Angles are a little different. You can't cheat to the shooter on a 2-on-1 because they can carry the puck wider."
"It was a whole different type of culture than it is in Canada," said Gaudreau of his European adventure, "it's walking distance to almost everything. The food is amazing. Most people are nice, and bilingual, too." Gaudreau had many opportunities to order meals in the native language, something his French teacher, Madame Surtees would be proud of. Gaudreau kept up with his studies and said that he was thankful that his teachers at St. Theresa were so flexible.
Gaudreau marvelled at the pristine condition of the sports facilities, noting that there was a track, four basketball courts, and two soccer fields outside one of the arenas he played at in France.
Gaudreau is a lanky 6'1" who, in a recent development, is now taller than both his parents. Ben has sprouted up quite a bit in the past couple of years, but development is the key word here, as the young goaltender counts many influences as contributors to his success, including Appleby.
Appleby has been gracious in giving his time to work with Gaudreau, calling whenever he returns to town. Appleby also brings back gear for the young goalie. Gaudreau says has also been mentored by Mike Stockfish, who he says has been a positive influence and Todd Robillard. Robillard runs goalie camps and has been instrumental in his progression and success as a young goalie.
Asked how he feels following in the footsteps of such high-level goalies, Gaudreau said, "It's really cool. As a kid, I was looking at how Ken Appleby was getting drafted, and then winning the Memorial Cup, and next thing you know he's signing a contract with New Jersey. Just a couple of months ago he got called up to the Devils. It kind of opens up my eyes a little bit."
Gaudreau played with the Bantam Major AAA Trappers this past season, a campaign that ended on a high note as his team won bronze at the OHF championships. Ben clinched the victory with a 1-0 shutout in which his team was heavily outshot by their opponent from Ottawa.
"It was a highlight, for sure. The shots after two periods were 19-4 or something like that. We scored a nice goal with five minutes to play. They pulled their goalie for the last minute, but we played well in our defensive zone and took the win there," said the netminder.
Gaudreau will move up to the midget ranks, as an underage locally this season and he will continue to play for the Selects team, including an upcoming trip to a combine in Pittsburgh. The young man has played a pile of hockey this season, but he is not just a one-sport star. Gaudreau also excels at basketball, volleyball, track and field, and golf. He comes from an active family, and parents Rob and Charlotte, and sister Paige are all supportive of Ben's pursuits. "We are very proud of him, and we support him 120 per cent, and we definitely believe in him," said Charlotte.
Carey Price is Gaudreau's favourite NHL goalie, but he may have some local NHL-level goalies to emulate in time. "He's always in control and he's very patient. He's not one of those goalies who is always diving around trying to get in front of the puck. He's trying to make saves. I try to mimic his movements."
What does the future hold for Ben Gaudreau? Barring injury, he hopes to "play hockey at higher levels, I'm not sure which one yet. Only time will tell."
