BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Ottawa 67's head coach Brian Kilrea loves
Wahnapitae. In this small community, located about seven
minutes east of Sudbury, he found an interesting hockey well to
dip into and stock his squad with winners: the Talbot
family.
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JULIAN TALBOT |
Nine years ago, Kilrea plucked a pesky
forward by the name of Joe Talbot from the hockey ranks and put
a 67's jersey on him.
From 1997 to 2001, Joe was one of the main
cogs in the Ottawa machine. In that time, the 67's hoisted a
Memorial Cup (1999) and won an OHL Championship (2001).
In 2002, Kilrea dipped his bucket in the
Wahnapitae hockey well again, this time scooping up a feisty
forward by the name of Julian Talbot, Joe's
younger brother.
"I wish the parents hadn't stopped with Joe
and Julian," jokingly said Kilrea. "I would have really liked
to have had a couple more Talbots to coach because they're a
great family."
Despite lofty expectations his older brother
left for him, Julian has made his own mark in the OHL and the
Ottawa franchise, and he's done it the same way that Joe did:
with hard work.
"Julian has been one of those fellows who
played good all year, and he's getting more recognition now in
the playoffs," said Kilrea.
"He's been our number one centreman. He kills
penalties and wins important face-offs. He's always on the ice
against the other team's very best players. He's a carbon copy
of his older brother, Joey."
A carbon copy indeed.
Julian's development almost mirrors Joe's
development. Both scored 28 points in their rookie seasons. In
their second seasons, Joe jumped to 52 points, while Julian
recorded 49. Both hit the 60-point mark in their third season,
with Joe scoring 69 and Julian registering 66.
In his final season, Joe scored 79 points.
Julian still has one more season to play, but he's looking to
achieve an OHL Championship, and a berth to the Memorial Cup
now.
"We have a great team here," said Talbot. "We
have four solid lines who know their roles and do their roles.
We're looking to go far and, hopefully, win it all."
Sudbury was a perfect training ground for
Julian.
"Growing up, I always went and watched the
Sudbury Wolves play," said Julian. "Just seeing the OHL made me
want to play. I had a lot of good coaches in Sudbury while I
was playing there. Every team I played on, I got something from
it, and used it to get to the OHL."
When the 67's won the OHL Championship in
2001, Joe played a huge role, scoring 28 points in 20 games en
route to the victory.
Now, just like his brother, Julian is also
putting up big numbers as the 67's make another charge towards
OHL supremacy.
As of Wednesday, April 27, Julian had 15
points in 15 playoff games, including two game-winning goals as
the 67's had made it to the Eastern Conference Championship (by
beating Sudbury 4-2) against Peterborough.
The 67's could eliminate the Petes tonight in
Ottawa. If they do, the 67's will move onto the OHL
Championship against either London or Kitchener.
Julian is overjoyed he's carved his own niche
in the league.
"When I first came into the league, there was
a lot of expectations from fans and the team," said
Talbot.
"All they remembered was Joe's last year,
when they made it to the finals. It went away once everyone got
to know me and see what I could do. I
am more of a defensive player. I kill
penalties, but I can also put the puck in the net if I get a
chance.
"Playing in the OHL has been a great
opportunity for me. Being coached by Kilrea has been awesome.
He expects so much from you, and can get it. When he's yelling
at you, he's really helping you become a better player."
Playing Sudbury was memorable.
"It's been exciting and unbelievable,
especially coming out on top."
Julian has one year of eligibility left in
his major junior career. He plans to lace up his skates
again.
