RIMOUSKI, QUE.: For 16-year-old Max Brien, the phone call from Sidney Crosby was special.
Being officially named to the Rimouski Océanic roster might be even more so.
The Fall River forward, a first-round selection by Rimouski at June’s QMJHL draft in Halifax, has officially earned a spot with the Océanic after an impressive pre-season camp, taking another major step in what is shaping up to be a promising junior hockey career.
And before Brien begins his first QMJHL season, he got a call from one of the most recognizable names in hockey to talk about the Oceanic and hobbies off the ice.
Crosby and Brien have plenty in common. Both are from the Halifax-area hockey community, both played for the same U18 team (Dartmouth) and both have now been drafted by Rimouski.
“We played on the same U18 team, we’re from the same area, and now we’ve both been drafted to Rimouski,” Brien said.
The two talked about more than just hockey.
“We talked a little bit about school, hockey, golf and his experience in Rimouski,” Brien said. “He gave me some advice.”
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For Brien, who has looked up to Crosby for years, the conversation was something he won’t soon forget.
“I’ve looked up to Sidney for a long time, so getting a call from him was pretty special.”
Brien said the call also gave him another appreciation for the organization he is now joining.
“I think the whole experience of him calling me says a lot about the organization and, more than anything, the type of person Sidney is.”
Now comes the next chapter.
Brien entered Rimouski’s camp with a straightforward goal after being selected in the first round: work hard, earn a spot and make the team.
He accomplished that.
“Once I got drafted to Rimouski at the end of last season, my goal was to train hard and make the team,” he said.
“So to officially be named to the roster and know that all the hard work paid off feels good. I’m really excited for the season.”
The road to that roster spot included both a rookie camp and the main camp.
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Brien said the experience was different than he expected, but ultimately rewarding.
“It was different than I expected, but it was a really great experience,” he said. “Starting with rookie camp was nice because it gave me a chance to get my feet under me and get comfortable. Then I had more confidence going into the main camp.”
It was also a grind.
“But I loved it,” he added.
The Georges P. Vanier Junior High alum knows making a QMJHL roster is only the beginning.
His focus now turns to getting better.
“I think I’ll continue to work on the same things I’ve been working on since last season — getting faster and focusing on the small details of my game,” Brien said.
“There’s always things I can improve on, so I just want to keep my head down, stay disciplined and improve a little bit each day.”
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And while the season is still ahead, Brien already knows one game that stands out on the calendar.
Rimouski’s February 4 visit home to Halifax to face the Mooseheads.
“Obviously, February 4, when we come home to play the Halifax Mooseheads… that’s the biggest one,” he said.
He is also looking forward to Rimouski’s home opener and the excitement surrounding his first games in front of the Océanic faithful.
“I’m really looking forward to our home opener because there’s a lot of excitement around that game.”
There is another matchup Brien has circled, too.
He’s looking forward to playing Gatineau in mid-October now that fellow local player Jayden Tillman, also from Fall River, and a good friend, is with the Olympiques.
