Dean Letourneau (right) alongside family friend Scott Brum
It will be interesting to see which NHL team-set will contain Dean Letourneau’s rookie card- but it’s a safe bet that the centreman from Braeside will be the first village resident to crack the big league roster.
Letourneau’s name, known throughout the Valley, could well make it to fans lips across North America, following a successful local apprenticeship.
If Dean had his druthers, he’d like to play for a coach with a winning formula that also accommodates his natural playmaking capabilities.
Of the NHL’s thirty-two teams Letourneau does have a couple of personal preferences.
We spoke with Dean following his return from this year’s Scouting Combine in Buffalo, held June 3rd to the 8th.
This year’s crop drew 100 of the top rookie prospects (65 forwards, 32 defenders and 3 goalies) to strut their stuff before a scouting contingent eager to assess not only physical, but mental capacities, in recommending to their clubs who gets picked when.
Next stop, Vegas, June 28th.
The 6-foot-six Letourneau could be selected in either the first or second round- and an NHL Draft Watch Party will be hosted that Friday night at the J. Arthur Gillies Centre in Braeside by Scott and Debbie Brum, adjacent to the outdoor rink where he first laced up his skates.
Scott confesses to having been a family friend- and fan of Dean since he was four feet shorter.
By Rick Stow