Florent Vericel

[Prof. Zach Enron 84]

 

User: dart | TPE: 65 (0 Banked)
LW | 5' 11" | 183 lb. | Age: 17 |  |

 

 

 

 

Florent Vericel is a fast shooting LW hailing from Mirabel, Quebec. Vericel's hockey career is as weird as they come, he had never picked up a stick before until a sixth grade gym class, that is what introduced him to the sport that is now his passion. Vericel had always been a runner he was fast for his age and was always a lock for his school at any speed events, he never really had a passion for running but he loved the competition and was good at it. That all changed after that 6th grade gym class, when he picked up that stick it was like he was born to play.. but not only play.. he was born to score. 

 

Vericel's shot was naturally good, somehow without playing ever before he could shoot but his skating was well.. not there Vericel worked on his skating every day he could until he had the fundamentals down Vericel was lightning fast as expected but he was lacking control. When the time for Vericel to attempt making a Bantam team everybody past on him so he made the decision to move to Edmonton, and this move did wonders for his career. The SSAC Mount Carmel Tigers managed to get Vericel who instantly showed his scoring prowess.
After this career move which showed how willing Vericel was to do anything for hockey he moved back to Quebec and was instantly asked to join the towns Midget Triple A team, he continued to do what he did best and registered 27 goals and 17 assists in 50 games for the Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois. These performances put him on the map to be drafted into the QMJHL, he was picked 15th overall by the Drummondville Voltigeurs. He wouldn't crack their lineup right away as they loaned him to the MHL for a season of development. Vericel came ready to play next season and was immediately put into the line up for Drummondville, his regular season was impressive for a rookie as he netted 24 goals and 24 assists in 64 games. Drummondville had made it to the playoffs and Vericel showed that he was a top scorer scoring  8 goals and 6 assists in 11 games for Drummondville on his way to his first Presidents cup. Unfortunately the team placed second in the Memorial Cup which became tradition for Vericel throughout his career in Drummondville. In his next season with the Voltigeurs he continued his reign of dominance that playoff breakout with a 42 goal and 31 assist with another 64 games played, but his dominant season didn't end there, Drummondville again made the playoffs where Vericel was a monster scoring 19 goals with 12 assists in 20 games again helping Drummondville to another Presidents cup and winning himself the Guy Lafleur trophy as the QMJHL's Playoff MVP.. sadly again, Vericel and the Voltigeurs finished second place in the memorial cup. Vericel put in notice with the Drummondville Voltigeurs that he'd not be returning to play a final season as he wanted to chase greater competition. 

Vericel had seen some impressive Junior's talent be drafted into the VHLM but was far too late to declare, he talked around with his agent and was told that he could join a VHLM team under contract for one season but then would have to go through the draft process after that season and that was the route Vericel took. He had multiple offers from great teams but had known someone recently drafted to the Miami Marauders. Dakota Lamb's father Mark Lamb was at one of Vericel's games in Edmonton doing a little bit of scouting and impressed by his play Lamb made an effort to introduce himself after the game and gave him some advice on what it takes to be a high level hockey player and what it takes to win. Vericel grew to have a sense of loyalty and grew to be willing to do whatever it takes as long as his team wins. Vericel had never really played with a group as committed as him until the QMJHL but going into the VHLM he had no idea what the experience he'd like, but knowing what Mark Lamb's personality and views were he knew that Dakota would share the same mindset as him. He signed with Miami as soon as he saw their offer come in and is fully committed to making the team a winner along side center Dakota Lamb.

 

Vericel is yet to score a VHLM goal but he has always shown that he can score at any level, he is just taking his time to adapt to the speed of the game and trying to be more consistent in his growth to make sure he can get back in Miami this draft.

 

(798 words)