The Unsung Hero - Patrice Cormier Appreciation Thread

Every year for team Canada there's always a player or two that doesn't get a whole lot of press but is a massive contributor to the team. This year is possibly the biggest instance of that in the history of Team Canada at the World Juniors. The hype machine that is TSN could not stop raving about Tavares and Hodgson. Not that that is unjustified but it was at times a little overboard, especially with respect to the play of Tavares.

I watched the entire tournament and I honestly think that when each team named their top 3 players, Patrice Cormier deserved to be on the list. I'm not a fan of the Quebec League or the New Jersey Devils but this guy was an absolute monster. Look past the stat sheet. You see a very human 1 goal and 2 assists. That's nothing to get worked up about playing on Team Canada. However the intangibles this guy brought that no one else on the team brought was in my opinion the saving grace for this team at the end of the day. He truly was a unique player for this team. He was the best faceoff man. He was far and away the most physical player on a team that was butter-soft up front. He was pretty much a man against boys in this tournament and as an 18-year-old, that's something to get worked up about. He was the go-to penalty killer and defensive forward as evidenced by Quinn putting him out there against the opposition's top line on a consistent basis. I fully expect him to be named captain at next years tournament if he doesn't crack the Devils.

Tavares was a great offensive player but Canada had a ton of guys that could put pucks in the net. They put up at least 5 in every single game of the tournament. However you can easily make a case that after Cody Hodgson, Patrice Cormier was the most valuable player to this team. Take Cormier out of the lineup and there's zero physical presence up front. There's no go-to faceoff man and the penalty kill that was the biggest difference maker in the gold medal game loses it's top guy.

This guy is as sure-fire an NHLer as it gets. He is the prototypical third line center and you need those guys to win championships at any level. While Tavares and Hodgson (and somewhat deservingly so) got all the hype from the media, Cormier played an absolutely massive role on this team that no one talks about.

Cormier was good, but DiDo was better.

Tyler Myers anyone? He was the backbone to the Canadian defence and should be the unsung hero for the tournament.

But yeah Cormier's play didn't go unnoticed and a player like him is essential to every Canadian junior team up front. He won face-offs, killed penalties, and was a physical force up front. He'll likely be back next year with a letter.

How 'bout Dido for giving Tavares and Espo the chance to shine.

Cormier was Canada's best hitter. I love what he brought to the team.

He should be captain next year.

Myers was the one that rocked my world.

If Jordon Eberle does'nt score against Russia with 5 seconds to go this thread would'nt be here right now, but i definetly agree Cormier was a HUGE factor in the gold medal win.

Yeah, I loved Cormier's game all tournament long.

Myers was the one that rocked my world.

This.
&
Yeah Cormier did great in this tournament and the comparsion to Madden of the NJD i agree with.

Yeah Myers looked like the kind of D-man Hedman was supposed to be.

But it's a thread about Cormier and he opened my eyes for sure.

Wow, i am so happy someone decided to make this thread. We have one on the Devils board too.

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=587685

Alot of people are saying he is comparable to madden, But i think he is the perfect combination of Madden and Bobby Holik.

Cormier was Canada's best hitter. I love what he brought to the team.

I think so too. His hits are very in control and timed right compared to a free for all hitting technique SDR has. I think it is very Holik like. I really hope he is the captain next year, because i think he would lead the team to another gold, but i really do believe that he will challenge for a spot on the New Jersey Devils roster if one of Holik or Madden is gone in the offseason. IMO He is our best center prospect and think if he is utilized in the right role he can be successful now and in the future. I'm thinking the way Brandon Sutter is being developed in Carolina. Centering the fourth line.

It's pretty good to have two players who played big roles for their country in the past two WJC's.

Patrice Cormier and Matt Halischuk are going to be awesome players for the Devils.

I watched the gold medal game and thought Cormier played very well. Do non-Devils fans think he's going to be NHL ready in a season? With Madden and Holik both in the latter stages of their thirties, the Devils are going to need a new checking center and Cormier appears destined for the role.

I am so happy with our pick of Cormier, i really think he has a shot at the team next year with the decline of Madden and Holik. Also, if you take a gander at me avatar, you will see the beast, Patrice Cormier.