Justin Poirier on a French language podcast...
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Sounds like he likes Orono but is explicitly only around until Carolina comes knocking. Didn't realize (and kind of surprised to learn that) Brad N was on a $950k/yr contract out of Maine, so I guess there is no NIL in college hockey that can compete w that. I also didn't realize Poirier has a brother doing well in the AHL
Here is a flawed translated transcript, based on the autodub..
Host:
Baby!
OK, let me tell you something – this guy is really selling you right now.
He’s putting Maine on the map.
I never thought I’d mention the name of the University of Maine in any context, but…
Justin Poirier, how’s it going over there?
Justin:
I’m good, you?
Host:
What’s going on in Maine?
Justin:
Things are going great, everything’s rolling like clockwork.
I got there a bit nervous, but it’s been good.
Right now everything’s going well – for the team and for me.
I started off with a big hat trick, I think I scored three in my first game, and it’s really fun to live that a second time in junior.
It doesn’t happen often, so yeah, it’s incredible.
Host:
Your first game, too?
Justin:
Yeah, my first major junior game at 16, I scored in my first game – kind of déjà vu. It’s crazy… Oh shit.
Host:
OK, so when you get to Maine…
When you get to Maine, what’s it like?
You get there, you chill… there’s not much to do, right?
It’s pretty much just you guys?
Justin:
Yeah, exactly. The university is in the town of Orono, in Maine, and like you said, the campus – the football stadium, the rink – everything is on the same campus.
But outside of that… there’s literally nothing to do.
Everything revolves around sports – football, and hockey too.
I’d say we (hockey) probably have the better, more historic team, but it’s all about college sports.
Otherwise there’s not a whole lot to do.
The fans, I’d say they’re anywhere from students all the way up to people in their seventies and older.
Host:
Oh yeah?
Justin:
Oh yeah, yeah. On game nights that’s the only thing there is to do.
It’s incredible for sports over there.
Host:
Yo, you’re selling me on it – I might have to go.
I’m telling you, for the experience, for a game, it’s insane.
Justin:
I think so too.
When you first arrive in town – not just the first visit, but for that first game –
you drive into town… were you looking around like “Man, this feels far from everything”?
When I first got there, as I was driving I could feel where I was headed.
I cross the border at Houlton, I think it’s called. I’d never gone that way before.
It’s all little towns – potato country, Houlton – towns I’d never even heard of.
Then you get into Maine: it’s about six hours of driving, one highway and then just country roads, farms, cows, chickens – you see everything except people.
Zero highway, and finally you reach Maine. You look around the town, you walk a bit – the houses there are all old houses. I was really lost, it felt like another world.
But then you get onto campus and you see life again. It’s moving, students are walking everywhere, signs, banners, everything.
For our very first game, I think the puck dropped at 6 p.m.
They let the fans in at 3:30 in the afternoon.
There was a line outside already.
I arrive for the game and people have been lined up three hours early.
Even I don’t show up three hours early!
The fans are already there and I’m like “Whoa, what is going on?”
Host:
I love that, because you know, there are always people talking, leaving, coming back, but at the end of the day nobody’s really talking about all the noise – at the end of the day it’s just high-level hockey and it’s fun to play there.
Playing back home in the Q must’ve been really fun too, but now you’re going to live a new experience.
To me, it’s like a teenager moving into his own apartment – not leaving his parents forever, but going out on his own to explore life.
He might come back home later and have that conversation, but I like how you tell it because you sound really happy.
Justin:
Yeah, I think I’m describing it exactly how I lived it.
I still live at home in the summers – I lived at home all my life.
In junior you have a billet family from 16 to 20, they support you, they cook for you.
Here, I got here, I was 18 at the start of the year, and suddenly you’re pushed into an apartment, living alone, cooking for yourself – it’s an adult life.
It’s a big shock, but like you said, it prepares you for later.
On the hockey side, it really is another level. Guys are older, bigger, you have less time, you’ve got to adjust.
But those are the sacrifices you have to make if you want to improve as a player.
At the point I was in my career, if I wanted to get to the next level, this was the step I had to take this year.
So no regrets at all – it’s really fun living this this year.
Host:
Me, I never played in the NHL and I wasn’t… (laughs)
I keep saying you have to love “La Classique” (the summer tourney), you have to love it.
Every year I watch it, I love it.
Justin:
Yeah, for sure, it’s a big moment to watch with my brother and everyone.
There are a few things that fall through the cracks, but I know a couple of guys that play in it and we watch it every year.
Next edition, I’m there 100%, I’m telling you live right now.
Host:
What I see when I watch “La Classique” is that guys don’t necessarily play at 100%, but you can really see the different levels – who’s playing hard, who’s coasting.
For someone who doesn’t know junior major or NCAA, can you explain what the difference is between Major Junior and NCAA? Because honestly, I hear too many takes from people who never played.
Justin:
Well, if we’re just talking pure talent, you can find exceptional, talented players in both leagues.
The real difference is age. Major junior looks small to some people, but it’s 16 to 20 years old. In NCAA you can come in at 18, but generally guys are 18 to 25.
By 24–25, guys who want to play pro, their size, strength, mentality, and vision of the game – it’s all on another level.That’s the big difference. When I played major junior in Baie Comeau, I had three great seasons. But when I got here, my first game, I realized I didn’t have time to do all my little fancy moves and dekes I could do in junior.
I don’t have time for all the same plays, even if major junior is an excellent development league.
Here, with where I was in my career and the seasons I’d had, I was really ready for the next step: playing against men.
Because the next step after this is the NHL or AHL – and there, age gaps don’t really exist anymore.
You can be 22 playing against a 38-year-old dad, fully mature. So by taking the college route, I think it’s what will make me more ready to make that next jump.
Host:
Have you played against Gavin yet?
Justin:
No, not yet. I’ve played against Quinnipiac and some other good universities. But I’d say my first real challenge is this weekend – we’re playing Boston University: the brother of Lane Hutson; Ryder, Sasha, they’ve got like 6–7 first-round picks and big names. Back when I was in junior I watched those guys, and some of them I played with or against – like Boisvert and others. So there are familiar faces, and when you look at Boston University, everyone talks about them. Now I’m the one who’s going to be playing against them, so yeah – it’s going to be our first big test as a team. It’s pretty crazy when you think about it – playing against Boston University. At the beginning of the year, when I was talking with my family before making my decision, my brother – who’s pro with Calgary's program – told me, “You’re going to play against players like that, against those kinds of universities. I didn’t even get the chance because of the rules they had.” I didn’t really realize it back then, but now I’m at Maine and I’ve got butterflies.
My first game against a big university team with national team guys – it’s a big challenge waiting for us.
Host:
Is Cole Hutson that good?
Because when I watch the highlights I’m like “Damn…”
Justin:
Yeah, I played against him at U18, U17. I never played against Lane, but they both make similar kinds of moves and plays.
The crazy thing – is that right now he’s doing that
in the NHL. At the college level he was doing the same stuff with Quinn, and the question is, will Cole be able to do that too?
In my opinion, yes – they’re huge talents, unbelievable edgework.
But taking that to the NHL is something else. I still watch the Canadiens as if I’m their number-one fan. I watch Lane, he dances on the blue line, it’s stupid – he does whatever he wants with the puck. The guy is 20, 21 – still so young – and his brother is going to follow a similar path. What these guys can do with a puck is insane.
Host:
You still watch the games as a fan?
Justin:
Of course. I got drafted by Carolina, so part of my heart is with them now; I have to follow that path because my goal is to play for Carolina one day. I follow the Hurricanes, I have a few contacts there.
But I’m a Montreal kid, born and raised. On TV my heart is still with the Canadiens – that’ll always be my team. In the NHL business sense, it’s Carolina, but in my heart on TV it’s 100% Montreal.
Host:
How many years of university do you have left before you get your shot?
Justin:
In college you can play four years. I came in at 19, so I could play until 23 and turn pro after. That’s the maximum.
But the development staff in Carolina can sign me earlier if they want – end of the season, next year, whenever.
They could say “OK, you’ve done enough here, go to the AHL.” So yeah, four years max, but it could be one, two, three – whenever they feel I’m ready, they sign me and I move up.
Host:
Carolina’s development is insane. The Checkers are amazing. I don’t understand how they pump out so much talent every year – first round to seventh round, guys go to the Checkers and come out as full-time NHLers for five, six years. It’s cool.
Justin:
Exactly – that brings me back to my draft. Like you said, my size was always something people held against me, so when I slid to the fifth round I was disappointed. But when I heard my name with Carolina, and saw the other guys they drafted – Jackson Blake, Bradly Nadeau, guys like that – they’re all smaller players who always had to prove themselves despite their size.
I look at players like that – they’re my reference. Same with right-handed players like me.
Bradly played at Maine two years ago too, which was part of why I chose Maine – Carolina saw how he developed there.
They draft guys with talent, even if they’re small – that doesn’t matter to them.
If you have talent and they think you can play there, they’ll pick you in the fifth or seventh, sign you, and work with you. I was really proud to be drafted by them.
Host:
Were you there in person?
Justin:
Yeah, I was in Las Vegas with friends, family, my brother, everyone.
Host:
How was that? Because you said you expected to go around the third round, right?
Justin:
Yeah, to be reasonable I was thinking third round. The talent is there, but of course you have to work hard, and then there’s my height – how much does that matter? After sliding in the draft, my brother, who’d been through it, told me: “It’s just a number.” And it’s true – once you’re drafted, it’s about what you do after. At my first camp I thought I did better than some guys who went in the second round, but the scouts see what they see.
Anyway, I was there the whole two days, expecting third round, slid a bit, but that’s life. What matters is what you do afterwards.
And just being in Vegas – it’s a city you have to visit at least once in your life. After the draft, we basically didn’t sleep – the city never stops. There are almost more people out at night than during the day. The Sphere, the Strip, the big ball with screens everywhere – it’s crazy. You can even watch the draft on the screens outside without having a ticket. People were watching from outside the building, just standing there.
When the third round ended, then the fourth, I wasn’t thinking about going home. Of course there’s a bit of disappointment when you slip, that’s normal. When you imagine something and it doesn’t happen, it stings. But I never had the mindset of “I’m going home.” I had my agents, my family, everyone supporting me, telling me, “It only takes one team.” I was sitting in my seat and then heard “Baie-Comeau Drakkar forward Justin Poirier” from Carolina and I stood up – I almost blacked out. It’s a childhood dream.
I know in reality being drafted doesn’t mean you’ve made it – lots of drafted players never play a game – but for me there are three steps:
get drafted, sign a contract, and play an NHL game. I’ve checked the first box. Now I’m attacking the other two.
Host:
We’re going to have to send you a painting for that big cow painting behind you (in the video) so it doesn’t stay alone.
Justin:
When I visited apartments and saw that big cow painting, I knew this was the place. I visited two or three in the same building, then went to see one that my teammate lives in, and when I saw the cow he said, “That’s the one for you.” I told him, “You’re right, I’ll put the cow right behind me in the living room.”
Host:
We’ll send you a little painting, I love it. Now, I want people to get to know you. What do you listen to before games?
Justin:
Mostly rap – Drake, that kind of stuff. In midget AAA I had a good music library because I was the DJ in the room. But as you move up – junior, college – there’s kind of an age hierarchy, so the older guys pick the music. When it’s time for our warm-up with the boys, the music is blasting in the rink.
But when it’s time for me to get dressed, or after warm-up, I go to the room, put on my headphones and listen to my own music.
I go up into the stands, visualize my game, talk to myself a bit – what I want to do that night, how I want it to go, hype myself up. Right before going on the ice I keep my music until about two minutes before, then I take the earbuds out, listen to the last song the boys have put on, and we hit the ice.
Host:
Any superstitions?
Justin:
Yeah – I always eat the same pre-game meal and I always put on all my left gear first, then my right – left pad, right pad, etc.
Host:
What do you eat?
Justin:
I always eat steak – really cheap little minute steaks from the butcher. People are going to chirp me for this, my parents and friends too, but I don’t need a $60 T-bone. Give me a little minute steak you throw in the pan or on the grill for two seconds, a bit of steak spice, I eat that and I’m good to go. It doesn’t cost much – four steaks for four bucks, like a dollar a steak – and it works for me.
Host:
When you get to Carolina, don’t tell them that. (laughs)
Justin:
Yeah, exactly.
Host:
What do you do to relax? Hobbies? How do you chill?
Justin:
During off-season, I’m a big golf guy – I love playing golf with the boys and my family. At home I like going fishing too, it’s relaxing. I play a lot of dek hockey, but in dek I change roles – I play goalie now.
Host:
You play goalie?
Justin:
Yeah, I’m goalie in dek. It might sound funny, but I’ve always wanted to be a goalie. My brother told me, “Look, reality is you’re too small.” So because of him I ended up as a forward, and I don’t regret it – I thank him for that.
But now I get to put on goalie gear once in a while. At Christmas practices when we do fun skates, sometimes the forwards need a goalie and I’m the first to raise my hand:
“Give me your gear, I’ll go stop some pucks.”
If there’s a charity game or “La Classique,” I could play goalie, ref, whatever – but goalie, I love it. I’ve never played a real game in net on the ice, so I don’t have real goalie skills, but because I’ve been playing dek goalie since I was 7, if you put me on the ice I won’t be totally lost. My best friend is a goalie too – we used to borrow his gear during the holidays and we’d buy ice time, and I’d go in net. I love it.
Host:
OK, we’ll wrap up, but I want to talk about your brother a little.
He’s doing well right now with the Wranglers, right?
Justin:
Yeah, exactly. He’s doing really well with the Calgary Wranglers. I think he’s got two or three points in his last game. Our relationship is great.
It’s pretty cool to have two brothers who are going to play pro; one day we might have our picture together on NHL Instagram side by side.
The funny thing is my parents don’t even know how to skate. They never played hockey and I tease them about it because we ended up with some talent and they can’t even skate. My brother’s the one who taught me to skate and play. He was the only role model close to me, so at that level he’s my model, my hero.
He’s in his fourth season with Calgary’s farm team, he just signed a new contract. I think his chance to play in the big club is getting closer and closer.
At the start, like me, he was more of an offensive defenseman, great stats in junior, rookie of the year, all that. Now he’s working on his 200-foot game. Like I said earlier, the step from junior to NCAA is big, and from NCAA to the AHL is even bigger. You have to have your game A1 to play there.
He’s working hard, and I hope with everything in me that he plays in the NHL as soon as possible and that one day we play against each other and chirp a bit.
Host:
Last year he had 42 points in 71 games – that’s big for a defenseman. We’ll definitely have him on the podcast someday too, and this year he’s coming to play against the Rocket in Laval so we’ll get to see him. Big shoutout to you guys – you’re both doing great.
What impresses me most is the mindset. Even though I don’t know Jérémy personally, from how you talk about him I can see he’s kind of your mentor, guiding you based on what worked and what didn’t for him. I love the mindset you both have – it’s beautiful to see, and not every pair of brothers has that.
Justin:
Really appreciate that. Like you said, maybe you don’t know all the details, but I think you’ve got a good sense of it – you watch a lot, you know what’s going on.
Having that kind of feedback is always fun. And yeah, I'll pass the message to my brother too.
Host:
Anytime you need anything. And I’ll check how long the flight is, because I don’t drive down there – I’d have to fly to Maine.
Host:
Alright, I’ll check your schedule and text you about which game I can come down and back in a day.
Thanks a lot, brother. See you next time, boss.
