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.
2007-08: Bernier began the season with Los Angeles after more than earning himself a chance at showing what he can do on the big stage. After a phenomenal NHL debut, Bernier was thrown to the wolves in the next three games as the defense in front of him could not find their own end of the ice with a map and a compass. Bernier struggled a bit upon returning to Lewiston, but turned things around towards the middle of the season to finish at or near the top in most goaltender categories in the QMJHL again. At the conclusion of Lewiston’s season, Bernier joined Manchester to finish out the season as the starter in net.
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. His initial struggles to start the 2007-08 season in Los Angeles had more to do with poor play by the defense and unfamiliarity with his surroundings than lack of talent. Bernier will compete for a spot in Los Angeles during training camp, but is more likely to split starting duties in Manchester for the 2008-09 season.
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
|
|
2007-08
|
Los Angeles
|
NHL
|
4
|
1- 3- 0
|
4.03
|
.864
|
0
|
|
|
Manchester
|
AHL
|
3
|
1- 1- 1
|
1.63
|
.946
|
0
|
|
|
Manchester*
|
AHL
|
3
|
0- 3- 0
|
2.76
|
.908
|
0
|
|
|
Lewiston
|
QMJHL
|
34
|
18-12- 3
|
2.73
|
.908
|
0
|
|
|
Lewiston*
|
QMJHL
|
6
|
2- 4- 0
|
2.93
|
.918
|
0
|
Profile Last Updated: July, 27th 2008
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