Villeneuve got a head start on that work before training camp, when he got to skate against older players, including minor league veterans Joel Teasdale (6-foot, 212), Xavier Parent (5-8, 170) and Nathan Legare (6-foot, 200).
“At the start of the season, we had around like, seven pro guys that were waiting for their [American Hockey League] camp or were waiting for their contract in Europe,” Jacques said. “So they were on the ice, bigger guys, 24, 25 years old. Xavier always wanted to do the 1-on-1’s against them. And he was pushing himself and he was thriving.
“If he was getting beat physically, he was going back after the same guy. You can see that quality and maybe some chip on his shoulder, that he needs to prove something. He just wants to be out there and he’s not afraid to compete against anyone.”
Villeneuve said those battles against older, stronger players has made it a bit easier now facing players his own age.
“It was great,” he said. “Anytime I’m on the ice with someone, I want to play against the best player or the bigger body. I was trying to take something out of those 1-on-1’s. These guys were on the ice with us, and I took a lot of pride in beating them every time. That really helped me.”
Those pre-camp training sessions weren’t the first time Villeneuve tested himself. As a 15-year-old, he left home to spend the 2022-23 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 15U team.
“I saw I could be on the ice twice a day, working out anytime I want,” he said. “So that was great for me. And then also the chance to be away, to live in a billet (home), that was good for me. My mom’s doing so much for me, so I kind of like to be away from them a little. I matured a lot, and that was a big part.”
The Penguins Elite program trains at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, Pennsylvania, the same practice rink the Pittsburgh Penguins use.
Villeneuve said he would see Penguins players occasionally but never got to meet them. However, he did get to meet one Pittsburgh star when he was younger.