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Wednesday 23 September, 1998
Tanguay making impression at Avs camp
Tanguay may have had a slow start at his first National Hockey League camp, but he's in full gear now.
The 18-year-old forward scored two goals and added an assist in Colorado's 7-3 win over the San Jose Sharks Monday in Denver.
"I think he has shown great improvement over the course of camp and into the exhibition season," said Brian MacDonald, Colorado's chief scout. "He has gained his confidence day by day and I think the results are an indication of how far he has come."
Tanguay tipped a Sylvain Lefebvre shot during a power play for his first goal Monday.
But the highlight of his night came on his assist when he was part of a three-way play involving Joe Sakic and Claude Lemieux.
"It's awesome," he said, "playing with Lemieux and Sakic on the power play and being able to contribute on one of their goals."
It's unusual for NHL teams to keep 18-year-old prospects, even first-round picks such as Tanguay. But his play has people wondering.
After Monday's game, reporters were asking the same question, "Do you think you can make this team?"
The always polite Tanguay has a modest answer.
"It's going great right now, but they have such a great team here, all kinds of veterans, all kinds of excellent players," said Tanguay, who had an assist and a shootout goal in Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Kings.
Tanguay isn't likely to be back for the Mooseheads home opener against the Quebec Remparts on Friday night.
Tanguay, one of 33 players left in Colorado's camp, won't play today in Anaheim against the Mighty Ducks but he is scheduled to play Thursday when the Avalanche hosts the St. Louis Blues.
"I was talking to (coach Bob Hartley) yesterday and he said, 'As long as you're playing well, you're going to stay here. I'm going to keep the best 23 players up here, so just play your hardest and we'll see what happens."'
A former fan of the Quebec Nordiques, Tanguay regularly attended games at Le Colisee in Quebec City.
He said he's learning a lot from the players he used to watch as a youngster.
"Yesterday, I was on the bench and (assistant coach) Bryan Trottier told me, 'Look at (Peter) Forsberg. Every time he doesn't have the puck, just follow him with your eyes and you'll see where to go.'
"It's unbelievable. He's so well placed all of the time, middle of the ice, covering everybody. That's the reason he gets the puck so often."
MacDonald said Tanguay, a native of Ste-Justine, Que., is a good skater but needs to improve his speed.
He also needs to become better at taking a check. That's expected to come as Tanguay matures physically. He's six feet and 180 pounds right now.
One of the main reasons Colorado drafted Tanguay 12th overall was his creativity. That aspect of his game has been apparent in camp.
"He fits in quite well with the NHL players in the hockey sense and the creativity part of the game," MacDonald said.
"We have great plans for him. He's an important part of the future of our organization."
Notes - Halifax's Alex Johnstone is expected back today from camp with the New Jersey Devils. ... The Boston Bruins assigned former Moosehead Elias Abrahamsson to Providence of the AHL while The Calgary Flames sent defenceman Derrick Walser to Saint John of the AHL.
