SNAPSHOTS: Jacob Bernard-Docker putting his best foot forward to make Senators


“It’s just about coming here and not being afraid to make mistakes. I’m just kind of rolling with it.”

Article content

WINNIPEG — Jacob Bernard-Docker is taking a business-like approach to training camp.

Advertisement 2

Article content

The Ottawa Senators defenceman is trying to show general manager Pierre Dorion and coach D.J. Smith he’s ready to take his game to another level.

Article content

The 22-year-old had his second audition of the pre-season Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets at the Canada Life Centre. He’s determined to prove he can be the same steady defensive player he was with the club’s AHL affiliate in Belleville.

Article content

“This is just about being as consistent as you can be,” Bernard-Docker said before the game Tuesday. “There’s a spot (available) and I’m just trying to put my best foot forward. This year, kind of knowing what to expect has helped me.

“It’s just about coming here and not being afraid to make mistakes. I’m just kind of rolling with it.”

Advertisement 3

Article content

A first-round pick in 2018, Bernard-Docker suited up for eight games with the club last season and was solid in the 58 games he played in Belleville. The experience last season helped him prepare for this camp.

“It definitely helped. I think I really found my game in Belleville and those games in the NHL are nice to just see where I was at,” Bernard-Docker said. “This year, I’m just hoping to make the next step.”

He’s in a battle with Lassi Thomson and Maxence Guenette for a spot. The one aspect you have to like about Bernard-Docker’s game is his defensive awareness.

“A staple of my game is being reliable defensively,” he said. “But the modern-day NHLer has to be able to move the puck and has to be able to skate and close your gaps. It’s a bit of everything. I’m not going to be the guy (getting) crazy points, but I do want to contribute offensively when I can.

Advertisement 4

Article content

“I think I’m just less timid. I came in afraid to make some mistakes and this year I think I’m just going to try to roll with those. That’s going to help me learn faster by not being afraid to make those mistakes. (Assistant David) Bell helped me a lot last season with my stick and just little details that I didn’t have in my game.”

Bernard-Docker said he knew making the transition from the University of North Dakota to Ottawa wasn’t going to be easy.

“It was going to be an adjustment,” said Bernard-Docker. “In my career so far, every time I’ve been on a team so far, for the first year I’ve almost come in a little too careful. The first bit has always been an adjustment for me. That’s something I’m trying to fix.

“Now, that I’m comfortable, it’s time to go 100 per cent.”

Advertisement 5

Article content

If Bernard-Docker is sent to Belleville, he wants to make sure he leaves with his head held high.

“I just want to have a camp that I can hang my hat on and know that I put everything out there,” Bernard-Docker said. “The decisions after that aren’t up to me. I just have to leave everything out there.”

LINING UP

The club’s top line against the Jets was made up of centre Shane Pinto between newcomer Tyler Motte and winger Mathieu Joseph.

There’s a good chance that trio could start the season together because they feed well off each other. Smith is trying to give them a chance to build some chemistry in camp and Joseph likes what they bring to the table.

“Pinto is a great two-way centre and very mature for his age. Motte has been known to be very reliable defensively,” Joseph said. “These guys are hard-working that can skate and make plays. It takes time to jell and to build chemistry to where you want it to be.”

Advertisement 6

Article content

Coach D.J. Smith believes they’ll be able to help each other and the team.

“They’re going to play the right way, they’re going to check and their defensive play is going to allow them to create some offence,” said Smith. “They can put pucks in and hold onto pucks for us. They can take faceoffs and I think they’ll just continue to get better.”

THE LAST WORDS

Forward Tyler Boucher impressed enough against the Leafs on Saturday to earn a spot against the Jets. Smith has liked the poise Boucher has shown and his speed. He’ll likely be sent back to the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s in time for the season to begin, but the longer the club’s first-round pick in 2021 can stay here the better it is for his development … A big reason the Senators took a young lineup to Winnipeg was the long flight. “We’re flying there day of the game and then flying back, and that’s pretty taxing to put on veteran players in a long season,” Smith said. “It may be a little unfair, but the young guys can handle it better. It just so happens it’s (the Jets’) first home game, but hockey’s hockey and you’ve got to go out there and do it right.” … Forward Ridly Greig, who suffered a shoulder injury at the IIHF world junior championship in August, skated with a jersey that allowed contact Tuesday for the first time in camp. The expectation is he’ll be able to suit up either Friday against Toronto at the CAA Arena in Belleville or Saturday at home against Montreal .”We’ll see how these skates go, and if everything goes to plan he’ll be in one of those exhibition games,” Smith said.

[email protected]

Twitter: @sungarrioch

    Advertisement 1

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

Leave a comment

x
SMM Panel PDF Kitap indir