Jamie McBain should feel at ease in the Canes' locker room tonight. After all, it may look a lot like the Albany River Rats' room.
Around the defenseman will be Jay Harrison and Brett Carson, Patrick Dwyer and Zach Boychuk, not to mention Brandon Sutter. All were with the Rats at some point this season.
Harrison, recalled by the Canes on March 3, played a nice chunk of the season with McBain in the AHL and believes McBain is more than ready.
"It's great to see him get his first opportunity," Harrison said of McBain, who is expected to make his NHL debut tonight against the Boston Bruins. "It's probably the first of many, because he's such a talented young player and he's been playing well down there.
"He's incredibly poised for a young defenseman. He's a very mature young man, on and off the ice. He controls the puck, he controls the play, and he's not intimidated by older guys or playing against the other team's top line. I think he'll have no problem making the adjustment."
Harrison said he's sure the coaches and older players will have some soothing, reassuring words to make McBain feel comfortable. Harrison noted Canes coach Paul Maurice was his coach with the Toronto Marlies when Harrison made his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2005-2006 season.
"He just said to take everything in and enjoy every single moment," Harrison said. "Take in all the sights, all the sounds. Just enjoy it, go play and have some fun."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
I'll be watching ...
Tue, 03/16/2010 - 14:22 — esteban1949on the tube tonight...i wish him and the canes all the best, but boston lost last night and they will be in a fowl & growly mood...:)
The Canes are Good,My Grandkids are Better, and Life is Great !!
Go Canes !!
A wounded Bear
Tue, 03/16/2010 - 15:06 — sittler27Hmmm.. a wounded bruin. Best we put them out of their misery.
Go Canes!
McBain
Tue, 03/16/2010 - 13:20 — abramsdougI am glad McBain is getting a chance tonight. He has improved tremendously over the course of this year in Albany. He seems to be a player who has an inner calm no matter what the circumstances.
McBain
Tue, 03/16/2010 - 13:53 — sittler27I'm excited for him too. Good kid.
There is a lot to like about how the Canes are getting situated for the future. McBain and Rodney have upside as offensive minded D. Carson is very versatile and if he puts on some muscle could join Gleason as a shut down defenseman. Joni, when he's on, can be awesome. And then its a matter of fitting in another peice. Much will depend on the progression of Picard or whether we resign Pothier. But unlike last year we have some good options.
Up front we also have potential with Sutter getting better all the time; Boychuk showing top 6 flashes; young prospects in Osala, Tlusty, Bowman, Samson, Dalpe, and others. Would be nice to get a free agent big body.
Add to that a high draft pick.
And we are solid throughout the organization in goal.
Its been a tough year but it is ending with some fun hockey to watch and a good feeling about the future.
As a bonus, next year has the prospects of a few weekends taking in a Charlotte AHL game along with Panthers football and it is almost heaven.