I defy you to find me a more potent line in junior hockey than the Quebec Remarts' "Globe Line".
Remsp head coach Philipe Boucher (former Sabre) will roll out his new weapon of mass destruction versus Rouyn-Noronda tonight.
Team Russia's Mikhail Grigorenko, Team Sweden's Nick Sorensen, and Team USA's Adam Erne will be front and center. This is going to be exciting to watch.
Three teenagers, too young to play this season in the American Hockey League, not ready to play in the NHL. Circumstances brought them back together for another run to glory. Three uniquely talented players with a lot to prove to their NHL team's brain trust. They are in this together now. Why not make th ebest of it by having fun and laying waste to all oppoents in the QMJHL for the next 90-120 days?
By virtue of Grigo's arrival, erne can now move back to his natural LW position from center where he had been playing. Sorensen and Erne know how Grigo rolls: they keep their sticks on the ice and their center will hit them off with tape-to-tape darts that create scoring chances. Erne is currently second in scoring on the Remparts with 18 goals and 32 assists. Look for his scoring numbers to go up dramatically now that he is not tasked with having to play point guard. He's a bruising power forward in the ilf of John LeClair. Big, strong, mean and has the hands of a surgeon. Grigo knows better than anyone where he likes the puck for his one-timers. Sorensen is the deceptive fast, highly skilled winger who uses his wheels and smarts to find dead-spots in zones so that he can get scoring chances. Sorensen is currently fourth on the Remps in scoring with 15 goals and 17 assists. His numbers will increase as well now that Grigo's back in town distributing the rock.
Sorensen, Erne and Grigo share a tremendous friendship on and off the ice. They have been friends for three years and stay close to one another via texting and phone calls. For Grigorenko, the sting of his recent demotion subsided nearly instantaneously once he was reunited with his bro Sorensen and Erne. Tonight, the three stars will ride together again as a trio. Boucher wants offense and he will get it tonight when Erne-Grigo-Sorensen hop over the boards.
Sorensen told LaPresse on Friday that he's psyched to be reunited with his close friend Grigo:
"With what I saw of him at the world junior Championship and practice [Thursday], he will help us to win games".
Erne was playing center for Sorensen earlier this season, and will no wreyurn to his natural LW position where he will be more of a physical presence. Erne loves to smash opponents as well as take pucks from unsuspecting opponents and walk them off the wall for scoring chances and passes to his linies.
"For now, it will be for him to adapt and help us as best as he can. We must continue to do what we do well, we have a winning concept, here, a good group of guys where everyone means well. Grigo is going fit perfectly, and will play a big role in our success," said Sorensen.
Grigorenko will make his Quebec debut in front of the home fans against Rouyn-Noranda, the same team that he faced last March in his first game back with the Remps after he was demoted back to juniors. He scored a goal and added three assists.
Grigo and Erne were awarded "A's" ass assistant captains to new captain Kurt Etchegary on Friday, plus Boucher will play #25 on the PP. Boucher told LaPresse on Friday that he's encouraged by Grigo's upbeat and happy demeanor on and off the ice. He seems to have assimilated perfectly back into the junior hockey lifestyle. Boucher said he likes what he sees from Grigo this far.
This trip back to Quebec City will prove to be both business and personal for Grigorenko. The fun starts tonight.
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