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Title: Nice Matt Moulson article
Description: from faceoff.com


stevedepot - October 23, 2009 02:30 PM (GMT)
QUOTE
Moulson surprises naysayers
PAT HICKEY, The Gazette
Published: Friday, October 23, 2009

John Tavares is off to a quick start in the National Hockey League - which isn't a surprise to most people.

Tavares has been ticketed for stardom since he was a 14-year-old and the last time he was in the Bell Centre was in June when the Islanders selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft.

There was a handful of doubters who noted Tavares wasn't very strong or that he wasn't a great skater.

But New York Islanders linemate Matt Moulson said he isn't surprised Tavares has been averaging nearly a point a game.

"I've trained with him for years and I've seen him work hard; I know his compete level," Moulson said. "I've been telling people that he can score 35-to-40 goals."

At this point, it should be noted that, while Tavares has four goals, the Islanders' team leader is Moulson with five and he said "a lot of people would be very surprised" if he scored 35 goals.

When Moulson was 14, a teammate's mother said he was the worst player in the Greater Toronto League.

Moulson recalled that slight in an essay for classmates at Mont Carmel High School after he was recruited to play hockey at Cornell University.

Moulson said his father always had faith in him and he worked hard after setting his sights on playing hockey at a U.S. university. But getting to the U.S. wasn't easy.

"I tried out for the B.C. Hockey League and I was cut; I tried the USHL and I was cut. I ended up with Junior B in Ontario," Moulson said.

Moulson was playing for the Guelph Scorpions when a Cornell recruiter saw him.

"I scored some goals in the first six games and Cornell scouted me for a couple of weeks," Moulson said. "One day, they called me and asked if I wanted to play for them and I said I'd get back to them. I called my father to tell him about it and he told me to call them back right away.

"They're the first team that offered me anything. I didn't know how prestigious the school was. I called them right back and said: 'I'm coming.' They said: 'We don't know if your marks will get you in or what your financial aid will be,' but I said: 'That's okay, I'm coming anyway.'

I never regretted it. "

Moulson played four seasons at Cornell, where his teammates included Canadiens blue-liner Ryan O'Byrne. When Moulson graduated, he signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings.

He spent four years in the Kings organization, collecting six goals and four assists in 29 NHL games.

When he became a free agent, the Islanders came calling, because head coach Scott Gordon remembered Moulson from his days in the American Hockey League.

"I saw him a lot when he was playing for Manchester and I liked the fact that he has a quick release on his shot," Gordon said. "Some guys take an extra step or make one more deke. He shoots the puck."

phickey@thegazette.canwest.com
Montreal Gazette



bumpkin - October 23, 2009 07:30 PM (GMT)
6 goals in 29 games works out to almost 17 for a full season. That would have put him where on our team at the end of last year?
I sure hope he is not a flash in the pan. We need Tavares, Okposo, and Moulson to get 25 each.

Craving_the_Cup_Since_1992 - October 23, 2009 08:00 PM (GMT)
I picked up Matt Moulson in my hockey game (NHL 08) last night. I like Moulson.

LEDZEP - October 23, 2009 08:19 PM (GMT)
user posted image
I'm hear to win
The Stanley Cup :cup:

LEDZEP - October 23, 2009 08:22 PM (GMT)
QUOTE (LEDZEP @ Oct 23 2009, 04:19 PM)
user posted image
I'm hear to win
The Stanley Cup  :cup:

user posted image
And he's hear to
coach me to
the Stanley Cup :cup:

----
Matt Moulson

dragoneye - October 23, 2009 09:24 PM (GMT)
I was wondering when the Moulson threads would arrive. He has obviously been the best surprise of the year. Hell, even if he averaged 1/2 a point a game for the season it would be a miracle.

totallypucked - October 24, 2009 04:07 PM (GMT)
QUOTE
When Moulson was 14, a teammate's mother said he was the worst player in the Greater Toronto League.


What a freakin' obnoxious bi&%#! I wonder what Toronto car wash her son is now working at as Moulson is playing on a first line in the NHL.

IslandersWin86 - October 24, 2009 04:35 PM (GMT)
QUOTE (totallypucked @ Oct 24 2009, 12:07 PM)
QUOTE
When Moulson was 14, a teammate's mother said he was the worst player in the Greater Toronto League.


What a freakin' obnoxious bi&%#! I wonder what Toronto car wash her son is now working at as Moulson is playing on a first line in the NHL.

If you hadn't noticed...vast majority of sports moms are the same way.

There are obvious exceptions, though. Like Katie Strang :yea:, Dee, etc.




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