Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.lewistonhockey.com
- Name: Jonathan Bernier
- Position: G
- Catches: Left
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 177 lbs
- Birthdate: 1988-08-07
- Eligible for Draft: 2006
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Laval, Quebec
- Acquired: 1st round (#11 overall), 2006
- Playing In: Pro
Jonathan Bernier
Prospect Grade: 8.0 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: David A. Rainer
History
The brother of Vancouver Canucks draft pick Marc-Andre Bernier, Bernier was the eighth overall selection in the 2004 QMJHL Midget draft, going to the Lewiston Maineiacs. He was not counted on to carry the team in his first season, instead playing as an occasional spot-starter behind one of the best netminders in the league in 2004-05, Montreal draft pick Jaroslav Halak. Bernier appeared in only 23 games, posting modest numbers. He was a member of the Quebec squad in the under-17 championships, and picked up a gold medal for Canada’s under-18 squad.
2005-06: With Halak graduating to the professional ranks last season, Lewiston was Bernier’s team, and he seized the starting role admirably, standing on his head on a regular basis, and helping a Lewiston squad that was lacking many of their star players from the previous season attain respectability, and garner a playoff spot. He elevated his play in the playoffs, facing lots of rubber and making many big stops, however, his Herculean effort alone was not enough to get Lewiston out of the first round. He will return as the team’s starting netminder next season.
2006-07: Bernier posted a record of 26-10-0, a 2.58 goals-against average, and a .905 save percentage during the regular season. Bernier back-stopped Lewiston to the QMJHL championship where he started every game, finishing with a 16-1 record, a 2.34 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. There is little else for Bernier to accomplish in the QMJHL after leading the MAINEiacs to the title.
Talent Analysis
Bernier is a hybrid stand-up and butterfly goaltender with great reflexes, is very quick moving from post-to-post with tremendous puck-handling skills around the net. He plays big in big games – save his performance in the 2006 CHL Top Prospects game, wherein the young goaltender allowed six goals on 31 shots in 32 minutes work. He is occasionally prone to get agitated in net when facing intense traffic, but generally manages to keep a level head.
Future
Showing no flaws in his game, and great consistency, Bernier should be a starting netminder in the future. In the Q, Bernier will face many shots and see an abundance of different schemes and looks from the opposition. He still has another year of juniors eligibility left, but has already signed an entry-level contract with the Kings. Due to his age, unless he makes the NHL roster in training camp, Bernier is again bound for the QMJHL.
Stats
| Year |
Team |
League |
GP |
W- L- T |
GAA |
SA% |
SO |
| 2004-05 |
Lewiston |
QMJHL |
23 |
7-12- 3 |
2.97 |
.909 |
0 |
| 2005-06 |
Lewiston |
QMJHL |
54 |
27-26- 0 |
2.70 |
.908 |
2 |
| 2006-07 | Lewiston | QMJHL | 37 | 26-10-0 | 2.58 | .905 | 2 |
| Lewiston* | QMJHL | 17 | 16-1-0 | 2.34 | .919 | 1 |
*=playoffs
Profile Last Updated: June, 24th 2008
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