In even his wildest dreams, Joel Favreau couldn’t have imagined how well things would go in his first career start for his hometown Prince Albert Mintos.
The 17-year-old stopped all 25 shots he faced and also earned an assist at the Art Hauser Centre Sunday as the Mintos improved to 2-0 with a 5-0 triumph over the Swift Current Legionnaires.
“I think the first game I watched the Mintos play was when I seven years old,” Favreau said. “I had been close to making the team the last couple of years but I couldn’t seal the deal.
“I’ve been working hard all summer and I had a different mental mindset coming into camp. I always felt like I could play with the Mintos and I wanted to prove it.”
Favreau had spent the last two seasons in the Centre Four Midget AA Hockey League with the Prince Albert Dairy Queen Chill, but he got a brief taste of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League last February when he played in the third period of an 8-1 home win over the Notre Dame Argos.
He picked up a pair of wins in the pre-season over the Beardy’s Blackhawks and kept up that level of play Sunday.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start for my Mintos career,” Favreau said. “The guys were playing really well in front of me and I just made sure that I was ready when I was called upon.”
The most excited player after the game was probably Spencer Welke, as he leapt into the arms of his fellow netminder during the post-game celebration.
“Spencer is a great goaltending partner and he’s a great leader in our locker room,” Favreau said. “I love the guy and I really enjoy getting to play with him.
“Everyone on our team is pulling for one another,” Mintos head coach Danton Danielson added. “We saw that in the first period when Cooper (Chisholm) scored his first career goal and everyone was looking for the puck to give to him as a keepsake. Then the exact same thing happened after the game once Joel got the shutout.”
Turner McMillen and Dawson Springer led the way for the Mintos with two goals and an assist each, while captain Chase Friedt-Mohr dished out three helpers.
Justin Dueck made 25 saves for the 0-2 Legionnaires.
The Mintos will return to action next weekend in Warman as they take part in the SMAAAHL’s showcase tournament.
Their first game is Friday at 8:30 p.m. against the Saskatoon Blazers, with their second and final contest taking place at 2 p.m. Saturday against the Notre Dame Argos.
