Justin Almeida has responded to the hiring of Prince George Cougars Head Coach Richard Matvichuk.
Consider this, the 17-year old Kitimat product notched just 6 points in 48 games last season under former bench boss Mark Hollick and has already surpassed those totals with 7 in the first 6 games this season.
MYPGNOW caught up with Almeida during last weekend’s home games against the Kelowna Rockets and believes his current line is making life easy for him.
“Playing with players like Colby Macauley and Jered Bethune they make it easy for me to play my game plus the mindset of it being my 2nd year and I’m ready to dominate.”
The impressive Hockey IQ of Matvichuk is also rubbing off on him. “His brain for the game is incredible. He knows the simplest things you wouldn’t think of and it gives that little extra trick in your repertoire that works in a game which builds your confidence.”
The Cougars are off to a 6-0 start to begin the WHL and are playing a more uptempo style geared towards the team’s speed and skill.
It’s also an important year for Almeida as he is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft a thought that is in the back of 
his mind. “Last year I didn’t play the style of game I wanted to and this year I have at the beginning along with putting up points and being consistent. The NHL Draft remains my biggest goal.”
Almeida and the Cougars continue their 6 game homestand on Friday against the Vancouver Giants at 7PM.
Jesse Gabrielle and Jansen Harkins are expected to be in the lineup after being returned from NHL camps.