Young goalkeeper Crepeau relishing opportunity to learn

The first squad of 2014 for Canada’s Men’s National Team is short of experience and long on youth in just about every position except in goal.

Goalkeepers Lars Hirschfeld and Kenny Stamatopoulos plan on being in the mix for Canada as preparations for another FIFA World Cup cycle start to ramp up. But right behind them is Maxime Crepeau, who is in his first camp at the senior level but has plenty of international experience at the U-17 and U-20 levels.

“They’re taking me under their arms,” Crepeau said after the team’s second training session in Sunrise, Florida, USA on Friday. “They’re just giving me some advice on how I play and they’re some great guys and personalities off the field but it has been good.”

Crepeau would like to one day be a regular at the senior level but for now he simply has to make do with learning from two goalkeepers with plenty of experience both professionally and internationally. Still just 19-years-old, Crepeau still has most of his career ahead of him.

And though they know Crepeau would one day like to take one of their spots on the roster, both Hirschfeld and Stamatopoulos are embracing the mentorship role with the younger goalkeeper in the fold for the first time.

“I think he’s a big talent,” admitted Stamatopoulos. “He has a lot to learn but I think he’s done quite well. He’s gotten into the program. If he sticks with it and gets some games, he’s a good contender for the job.”

After a few busy days involving two training sessions, it will be a bit lighter load for the team on Saturday as they have an intra-squad match before returning to regular training on Sunday.

The camp concludes on Tuesday.