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Desautels looking for a bigger role

Jun 21, 2013 | 7:00 AM

Working for a Regina plumbing outfit this offseason as his summer job, Prince Albert Raiders goaltender Andy Desautels has done a lot of work with fixing and installing pipes.

But he’s hoping to spend a lot more time between them in this upcoming season.

After appearing in just 13 games as a backup last year, Desautels could get a lot more playing time seeing as he’s the only goaltender expected to come to Raiders’ training camp to complete a full WHL game.

Rylan Parenteau is the only other goalie in the Raiders’ protected list to appear in a WHL game, playing nine minutes.

It’s a big year for Desautels, hoping he can earn and keep the starting position in goal.

“Obviously last year, I didn’t get the opportunity to play that much and I think I have a lot of prove,” said Desautels. “I have to prove to my teammates and to everyone that I’m ready to go to be a starter in the Western Hockey League and help give the team the best chance to win as possible next season.”

When asked about the upcoming goaltending issue, Raiders general manager Bruno Campese told paNOW.com that Andy Desautels’ situation is not much different than the career path of last year’s Raiders starting goalie Luke Siemens.

Heading into his 19-year-old season with the Moose Jaw Warriors two years ago, Siemens had only played 24 career games in the WHL before taking on a workman’s load; playing 121 regular season games in his last two seasons including 66 with the Raiders last year in his overage campaign.

Desautels has 14 WHL games under his belt heading into his 19-year-old season with the Raiders and believes he can blossom into a go-to goaltender like Siemens, if given the opportunity.

“I really think I can,” said Desautels. “I think for me, it’s all about confidence and kind of getting into a rhythm. When you’re not starting, you don’t have much of an opportunity to get into a rhythm.

“If you’re improving yourself and getting to play a lot, it’s a lot easier to get your confidence. That way, it’s a lot of easier to grind with it rather than coming in every once in a while.”

Although he sat on the bench watching Siemens hog all the minutes (3,784—second most in the WHL), he didn’t develop a grudge. Instead, he gained a friend and learned a lot about how to be a goaltender at the major-junior level.

“We still talk quite frequently, even in the offseason still,” said Desautels, who briefly played with Siemens with the Everett Silvertips in 2010-2011. “We’re really close and we roomed together on the road all the time.

“I learned a lot from Luke last year. It’s going to be a nice tool to have going into next season, learning what I did from him.”

The biggest thing Desautels has taken in from his time working with and watching Siemens is how economical he was with his movements, allowing him to continue to stay fresh deep in games and late in the season.

“(Siemens) didn’t overwork himself when he was in the net, he was always calm and collected,” said Desautels. “That really helps when you’re playing big minutes in the Western Hockey League, you’re able to play a hard 60 minutes and you’re not tuckered out halfway through the season.

“The biggest thing with him was the stamina, his conditioning and how he played the game.”

Desautels had the best seat in the house to watch Siemens work his magic.

He’s served his apprenticeship on the bench, now it’s time for some work between the pipes.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea