(Image: Brandon Hynes of the Victoriaville Tigres)

BOUCHERVILLE, Saturday, November 8, 2008 – This week, the official website of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League sits down with Victoriaville Tigres rookie forward Brandon Hynes.

How different is major junior hockey compared to what you experienced in the minors last year?

"Well, it’s different. I knew it would be and that it wouldn’t be a walk in the park. The people around me - the team and the veterans - made me feel comfortable right away, although it’s tough the first few weeks. You’re away from home for the first time and you’re starting over in a new league, but the coaching staff has been great and my billet too."

Did you expect to get off to such a great start?

"No, that wasn’t something I expected at all. From the onset, I was just trying to get a feel out there. Then, after only a few games, I realized that I already had 4-5 goals and that I could play at this level. Now, I just take them as they come. Obviously, if it wasn’t for my linemates, Dave Nolin et Philip-Michael Devos, I wouldn’t be in this position. All the guys on the team, especially the veterans, are all chipping in and helping me out. We haven’t been doing too badly in the past few weeks and we all want to keep it going."

Going back to the draft in Cape Breton, were you expecting to go in the top three?

"That’s what you work for, to get drafted as high as possible. I talked to a friend of mine, Luke Adam (Juniors), who had been drafted pretty high a few years ago (#7) and I predicted that I would go even higher than him, which I did (#3). I rag on him all the time about it when we play each other. But seriously, you never know what can happen on draft day. You can slip pretty quickly. My family and I were very happy to be selected by Victoriaville. They really treat the players like pros."

What are your goals for this season?

"I try not to set personal goals. I always put the team first. If the team is doing well, then I can start thinking about my game."

Source:

QMJHL - Karl Jahnke

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