More Than Just Another Home Game

As soon as the QMJHL schedule is released in early June, players are quick to circle certain dates. Home games usually take on a different meaning. For some it’s a debut, for others it’s the last time they will ever play in front of friends and family within the league that they have called home for the quite some time.

Riverview, New Brunswick’s Spencer Gill has already experienced his first “home game” as a visitor with the Rimouski Oceanic, but Wednesday’s game at the Avenir Centre will be more than just another home game for the highly touted blueliner, it’s an opportunity to showcase his talents in front of a national audience and countless NHL scouts. “I’m balancing the nerves of my draft year and this event being in my hometown very well,” said Gill.

“I know they are both very important, I am fortunate to be in this position, however I’m trying to stay focused on the details that I can control,” stressed the 17-year-old defender.

NHL Draft pressure is like no other, it can motivate, inspire or tear down and destroy self-confidence. Gill understands and is embracing every aspect of the draft experience.

“I have tried to work on small items each practice and then bring those with me into the games. I am working on being more consistent and good practice habits help with that. I have been a regular in our lineup this season and getting consistent playing time has really helped my confidence.”

Photo Credit Rimouski Oceanic

Confidence is key, a player’s greatest ally and one aspect that can propel a defenceman to entirely different heights. Gill experienced his share of ups and downs in his first foray in the QMJHL a season ago. The Q and the entire CHL for that matter isn’t necessarily kind to 16-year-old defencemen. It’s incredibly difficult to gain traction and play to your identity in a limited role or opportunities especially given where the organization is in its cycle.

The highly skilled transitional two and a half zone defender appeared in 41 games a season ago putting up four assists. Gill’s sophomore season can be coined as a “breakout” one for sure, but those that have followed his trajectory in the game knew what he was capable of and the type of impact player he would become for the Oceanic, it was just a matter of time.

In 42 games this season, the smooth skating transitional two-way defender has 6 goals and 20 assists. Spencer Gill’s processing and instincts for the position and the game are clearly his strongest attributes. Gill has logged massive minutes this season and has played in every situation for the Oceanic and has showed consistent progression throughout the season.

Prospect games are always challenging especially when it comes to getting into a good flow or rhythm on the ice and mentally. What steps is the hometown boy taking to ensure he’s prepared to be at his best on Wednesday night?

“I’m very proud to be chosen to compete in this game, there is obviously a lot of very good players across the CHL. I want to showcase my hockey sense and my puck moving ability, but also want to show my compete level and be difficult to play against,” stressed Gill.

“Obviously, prospect games do have a different flow than a usual game, but I am treating it as a normal game. I will be trying to have clean exits out of my zone and will rely on the various aspects of my game that got me to this event to have success.”

Spoken like a true student of the game. Every player needs a coach and mentor. Every player needs someone that they can trust and bounce ideas off of.  The mentor strives to educate and develop their student’s to be the best. For Spencer Gill that’s Paul Boutilier and Donald Dufresne.

“I am very fortunate to have a strong D coach in Rimouski, Donald Dufresne, he works with me every practice on my game. I am also lucky to have a mentor like Paul Boutilier, he works with several pro defencemen and really concentrates on the smallest details of the position,” explained Gill.

What has Gill learned about himself as a player and person over his time in the QMJHL and especially this season with so much attention and pressure surrounding the draft?

“Last year as a sixteen-year-old, it was very difficult to get in the lineup and earn minutes. That taught me to concentrate in the gym and in practice trying to use that extra time to get better.”

“It was also the first time living with a billet family, they have been great to me and learning to adapt to school online.”

“As far as this year, when I arrived back to Rimouski after a strong off-season training, I was much more familiar with all aspects of both the game and living away from home. As a regular in the lineup this season, I’m gaining confidence the more games I play.”

“With that confidence, the coaches have gained more trust in me and have me playing in most situations,” Gill said.

The 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in a critical chapter in Gill’s draft year story, but the young blueliner realizes there’s tons of work left to be done moving forward. “This spring and summer I will continue to work on my overall strength. Growing quite a lot in a short time requires the strength to go with my height. This will help me with quicker feet and in my battles.”

“We are very lucky in Moncton to have a lot of present and past pro players combined with the training groups that support them. There are many players that are happy to pass on their knowledge and experiences to help with our off-season training.”

“The goal will be to add some weight however getting stronger and more agile while doing it will be my off-season goal,” stressed Gill.

Pressure, excitement and high expectations, that’s nothing new for Spencer Gill, he’s had to deal with that every step of the way. Wednesday night’s game will be more than just another home game, but it’s just another step towards Spencer Gill’s lifelong dream of being drafted and playing in the National Hockey League.