Villeneuve brings well-rounded game to Memorial Cup thanks to lift from Leafs

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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The wait is almost over for William Villeneuve. The right-shot defenceman hasn't played since his Saint John Sea Dogs, who will host the Memorial Cup, lost in the opening round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs way back on May 12.

"It's been pretty hard," the 20-year-old admitted. "That first-round exit, that's not the outcome we were expecting. We took a week away from the rink to kind of get a reset and then we came back and went at it like it was a training camp. We were on the ice for two hours every day and working out and all that. It's been a hell of a grind. We'll be ready to go."

The Sea Dogs will face the Ontario Hockey League champion Hamilton Bulldogs on Monday when the Canadian Hockey League championship tournament opens in New Brunswick.

"A lot of excitement around this game," said Villeneuve, who was picked by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fourth round of the 2020 National Hockey League draft. "We haven't played in so many days, so for us, it's going to be important to win the first five minutes and really come out strong and take advantage right off the bat. That will be our mentality."

Villeneuve is looking to build off a strong regular season. He produced 56 points in 64 games, led the league in plus/minus (plus-60) and was nominated for the QMJHL defenceman of the year award. The native of Sherbrooke, Que. reflected on his growth as a player during a conversation with TSN. The following is an edited transcript of the interview. 

TSN: Where did you improve the most this year? 

Villeneuve: "Being reliable in every aspect of the game. When I first came in [to the QMJHL] at 16, I was very offensive-minded and not good enough in my zone and not