Raycroft And Maurice Both Debut In Leafs’ First Pre-Season Tilt
Posted September 18, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
You’ve got your foam finger. Check.
You’ve got your official lucky jersey that hasn’t been washed since 1986. Check.
And you’ve got that bottle of antacid when things don’t go as planned. Double check.
It’s just part of what you need as the Leafs finally get ready to fire pucks in anger, officially beginning their pre-season exhibition schedule against the Buffalo Sabres Monday night.
It’s not only the debut of the new look Leafs, it’s the debut of their new coach Paul Maurice.
The former Marlborough bench boss has confirmed star goalie Andrew Raycroft will start the game, giving fans a first look at the man who’s expected to carry – or drop – the team this year.
“I expect a lot out of myself, probably more than anyone in the stands can expect out of me, so the expectations are going to be high no matter what in this building,” Raycroft admits. “There’s no question about that, so, you know, I understand that and hopefully I can fill half Eddie’s (Belfour’s) shoes.”
Maurice is keeping expectations for the first contest down, knowing some diehard fans won’t accept anything less than perfection from start to finish.
“I expect to see … not just the young guys but all the killers. Looking for pace, more than anything else,” he explains. “My expectations as to what we can accomplish systematically are not very high. But we would like to accomplish some things with work ethic and pace and some of those transition concepts that we spent some time on.”
Maurice isn’t the only one looking to impress. There are spots on the rosters for rookies who can catch his eye. And they’re ready to make every effort to ensure he sees what they’re up to.
“Obviously last year some of the young guys were given a chance and we played pretty well,” acknowledges prospect Brendan Bell. “Coming to camp they kept some spots in the hope that we play to that level. It will be exciting. We have nine games to prove ourselves.”
Andy Wozniewski played for Maurice in the minors. He hopes that will give him an edge.
“He was a great coach,” he praises. “A great coach, especially with the injuries and what he did with that team was amazing. I think he will be great for the organization and everything and I hope I can play for him.”
But if the rookies are ready, some pundits predict the veterans are in for a shock under Maurice’s iron glove.
“He’s very demanding,” points out Adam Proteau of the Hockey News. “When I covered him last year, he talked about fitness being the be-all and end-all. Wanted the young guys to come in and be fit. Not used to the country club atmosphere I think a lot of Leafs are used to. Now they got a lot of things to get in order in a hurry.”
That rush begins Monday night at the A.C.C.
