Joel Champagne: Nashville Predators Rookie Camp Preview

by Dirk Hoag on Sep 9, 2011 5:31 PM EDT in Nashville Predators Prospects

Nashville Predators Rookie Camp begins on September 10th, so to help you get ready we'll walk our way through the prospects, from youngest to oldest.

Joel Champagne, Center - #73

Born: January 24, 1990 From: LaSalle, Que.

Height: 6-4 Weight: 214 Shoots: Left

2010-2011 Team: Quebec (QMJHL)

Stats: 64 GP, 24G + 58A = 82 Pts, 47 PIM

Drafted: 5th round (129) in 2008 by Toronto, never signed.

Follow after the jump for some background!

Scouting Report

Here's what Seth had to say in anticipation of this summer's Development Camp:

Champagne is known to use his size to his advantage in the corners and at the net. A good two-way player, Joel is very good on the draw and has raw offensive skills that combined with his skating must improve for him to find success at the professional level.

And this, from Pension Plan Puppets (he participated in rookie camps with Toronto previously):

Worth noting here is that Joel Champagne at 20 years old is 6'4" and 220lbs. He's a center who's excellent in the dot and seems like a good candidate to be a third line energy guy.

Maybe as a prospect he was lazy defensively, maybe as a prospect Champagne didn't hit enough; these things are irrelevant. Brian Burke has said he wants some big kids to play his style of game and passing on Joel Champagne while handing a contract to Brayden "Playdough ankles" Irwin (to quote mf37) seems like a terrible move.

Arbitrary nickname we'll give him even though he'd probably hate it

"Bubbles" - yeah, it's pretty obvious, but it nicely runs counter to his image as a big, physical forward.

Video

Check out some QMJHL playoff action, in which Champagne scores the first goal by driving aggressively to the front of the net and burying the centering pass...

What's at stake

While 82 points in 65 games is nice, we have to remember that he achieved those marks as an older player, after years of producing at about half that level. Destined for Milwaukee currently (he signed an AHL contract in May), Champagne will have to show that he's ready to take a step up and compete against bigger and better opposition.

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Comments

Cue JR...

and the mancrush begins!!!

You're welcome...

by SlapShot Radio on Sep 9, 2011 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

That’s all I’ve been waiting on concerning this series.

by OddManRush on Sep 9, 2011 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Oui, oui! So excited

My self-imposed off-season OTF exile ends as I leap with joy at Jöel Champagne.

A prospect so mighty and two-way-ey, he will single-handedly make Ryan Ellis grow into a post-pubescent body.

The first time Paul says his name, all of our Goc-related tears will be dried and Jerred Smithson will exhibit a fourth and fifth emotion (envy and admiration, respectively).

Nine months after he scores his first goal, 10,000 babies will be born in a period of 36 hours and all of their names will include a trema.

He already has a nickname, but it can’t be said aloud. It’s like the tetragrammation and speaking it will cause heart attacks from 6th Avenue to Gay Street.

Welcome to Nashville, Jöel.

Champagne for the Campaign!

"I like JR’s style, kinda reminds me of HST without all the drugs and mayhem" -DonBorvio

In the market for a new favorite player

OtF Resident Rascal

by JRTheByLineGrinder on Sep 9, 2011 7:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs

rec'd

Something Funny

by BradPerala on Sep 10, 2011 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Isn't champagne usually called "Bubbly"?

THAT’S a better nickname. It’s more degrading, which will either tick him off or focus him. :)

by DonBorvio on Sep 9, 2011 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

6-4 220?

Great at faceoffs?

Better than a point a game in juniors?

Get him up here to replace Legwand and put some pucks in the net!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Sep 9, 2011 7:17 PM EDT reply actions

He's a big boy

A Balthazar, if you will.

Champagne-bottle measure jokes are always winners.

"I like JR’s style, kinda reminds me of HST without all the drugs and mayhem" -DonBorvio

In the market for a new favorite player

OtF Resident Rascal

by JRTheByLineGrinder on Sep 9, 2011 7:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Hint: David Legwand was also a point per game plus player in the juniors:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=31823

by DonBorvio on Sep 9, 2011 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh Don

Are you suggesting that juniors stats are inflated? That’s crazy talk!

"I like JR’s style, kinda reminds me of HST without all the drugs and mayhem" -DonBorvio

In the market for a new favorite player

OtF Resident Rascal

by JRTheByLineGrinder on Sep 9, 2011 9:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Age is the HUGE factor there

105 points in 59 games as a 17 year old? That’s impressive.

82 in 64 as a 20 year old? Not so much.

That was one of the two big warning signs with Linus Klasen last summer. Guys his age typically have very little upside left.

Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and founder of HockeyGearHQ, a site devoted to hockey equipment and accessories. Catch me on Twitter, or join OTF on Facebook!

by Dirk Hoag on Sep 9, 2011 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

woah

Guys his age typically have very little upside left.

Hate to hear those words about a 20 year old. I know it’s reality, but that would suck to say that I was a goner in my career of choice at that age. No?

Something Funny

by BradPerala on Sep 10, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions