Following three years serving as the back-up in Los Angeles, newly acquired Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier says hes "ready for the challenge" of battling James Reimer for the number one spot in Toronto. [url=http://www.metsrookiestore.com/Mets-Mookie-Wilson-Kids-Jersey/]Mook ie Wils

Following three years serving as the back-up in Los Angeles, newly acquired Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier says hes "ready for the challenge" of battling James Reimer for the number one spot in Toronto. Mookie Wilson Jersey . Speaking on Leafs Lunch with Bryan Hayes and Jamie McLennan on Thursday, Bernier said it was "very hard" at times being entrenched behind Jonathan Quick and is now excited at the prospect of getting an opportunity to compete with Reimer for the top spot with the Leafs. "Im ready for the challenge," Bernier said. "Ive been waiting three years for that and now I finally get some playing time so Im very excited to come and Ill be ready." The 11th overall pick in the 2006 draft explained he learned a lot from backing up the 2012 Conn Smythe Trophy winner for three seasons and although it was frustrating, he used it as a learning tool. "It was very hard. Sometimes motivation was pretty low but I know at the end of the day, when I look back at this, its going to make me a stronger person and a stronger player and it was good for me to learn from one of the best goalies in the league." Coming off his best year statistically, in which he posted a 9-3-1 record to go along with a .922 save percentage and 1.88 goals against average, Bernier said he welcomes the competition with the Leafs incumbent goaltender and believes in having a supportive relationship with his fellow netminder, similar to what he had in L.A. "Im very happy, its a great opportunity to come to Toronto with James I think its going to be a good battle," Bernier said. "It reminds me a little bit of when I got to the Kings. We kind of grew up together. Obviously the chemistry is key when you want to win and you want to play for each other, so thats the right way to do it." Reflecting on his most recent season, Bernier said he was excited to embrace a larger role with Quick nursing a back injury. "This year was really good for me. Johnny had back surgery so I kind of stepped in and played a little bit more at the start and it was nice to play some back-to-back games and start feeling like you still got it." Talking about Berniers 2012-13 season, Kings general manager Dean Lombardi told Dave Naylor on TSN Drive that "without Jonathan Bernier, I dont think we make the playoffs." He went on to say that Berniers play this season proved he was ready to make the leap to being a starting goaltender in the NHL. "Clearly, (he has) the upside of a number one goalie," Lombardi said. "If you look at his pedigree to date, I dont think you could find another unproven number one who has done everything possible to prove he was a number one. Everything from what he did in the minors, to how he progressed at the NHL level and then certainly this year I think put him over the hump because not only did he play well, but he won big games." Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis reflected on how he expects Bernier will fit into the Leafs plans going forward earlier in the week when he spoke with Dave Naylor on TSN Drive, Tuesday afternoon. "From our standpoint, it was the excitement about bringing in another top young goaltender into the organization and have Jonathan and James (Reimer) together," Nonis said. "I think it gives us probably, in my opinion, one of the top two punches of potential in the National Hockey League." Nonis said he expects both goalies to compete for the number one spot and isnt worried about a potential conflict between the two. "Well I think thats always a risk at any position," Nonis said. " Its a situation where we feel we have two guys with great potential and great character and theres no reason why they cant both compete hard for that job and push as hard as they can to keep control of the net." Bernier said hes simply looking for an opportunity to challenge for a starting spot and believes Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle will give him that. "From what Ive heard, theyre kind of similar in a way because theyre fair coaches and as a player thats what you want," Bernier said when asked about the similarities between Carlyle and his previous coach, Darryl Sutter. At 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, the 24-year-old is not among the bigger goalies in the NHL, but said he makes up for it with his hockey instincts. "Im not a very big goalie, so I need to be in good position. So Id say reading the game is probably my biggest strength. When Im on top of my game I can read two, three plays before its going to happen and thats probably got me to where I am now." Devin Mesoraco Jersey .C. - Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek says guard Goran Dragic will return to the starting lineup against the Charlotte Hornets after missing the last two games with a strained back. Nolan Ryan Jersey . The 28-year-old lefty made his MLB debut in 2013, making 10 starts and going 2-5 with 4.05 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Albers was named the Twins organizations minor league pitcher of the year for 2013. http://www.metsrookiestore.com/Mets-Tug-Mcgraw-Kids-Jersey/ . Russell Wilson against Darrelle Revis, former teammate Brandon Browner and whatever schemes Bill Belichick dreams up.Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is confident Dele Alli can handle the hype after Sir Alex Ferguson described him as the most talented midfielder since Paul Gascoigne. Alli has seven goals and 12 assists already in his debut season in the Premier League and he impressed on the international stage last weekend with a commanding performance in Englands 3-2 win over Germany.England boss Roy Hodgson has likened Alli to former midfielder Bryan Robson and Ferguson has added his own praise for the 19-year-old, believing him to be among the best young midfielders to emerge since Paul Gascoigne. Pochettino has been eager to play down the hype his young star has been garnering but the Argentine has no concerns about Alli wilting under the weight of expectation.Its very good praise from one of the best managers in football history. I can only agree with him, Pochettino said of Fergusons comments.Am I worried about the hype? No, you can see the whole season how he has managed the pressure. He is very calm, very mature.He has managed the pressure and the popularity and how to be a senior player and play for the national team. He is very calm. Alli (right) has had an impressive season with Spurs We always need to be aware and look after him. We have a lot of control about that. Only he can go down if you are not aware but we look after him in a good way.Now he is fresh, at a good level, he has a good mentality. He is mature enough. We have no worries about his future.On Saturday Night Football Spurs take on Liverpool, a club Alli came close to joining when he was on the brink of leaving MK Dons. Why Tottenhams title challenge could hinge on their game with Liverpool Alli was driven up to Anfield by Dons manager Karl Robinson and even met then-manager Brendan Rodgers, only for the Merseyside club to stall on the deal.Liverpools loss has been Tottenhams gain but Pochettino admits even he has been surprised by the speed of Allis progress.There is always a question mark with a young player, he added. Alli (left) impressed while on international duty with England You can assess his left and right foot, his performance on the pitch and in training. Jay Bruce Jersey. But how a young player can be affected by the big things that happen in football, being a senior player, being in the national team, this is always a question mark.You can be aware and try to support him but I think that all the same it has surprised us how he has shown maturity.Victory at Anfield would see Tottenham reduce the gap behind Leicester to two points, with the Foxes facing Southampton in the first match of Super Sunday. It is the only time in the run-in Spurs get to play before the league leaders but Pochettino insists his side must focus purely on their own performances.We need to try and win every single game and wait for Leicester to drop points, Pochettino said.But we have no focus on the seven games, we are focused on Saturday, the most important game. We try to win the game and wait to see what happens in another stadium. At 101 years of age Irene McBride is Tottenhams oldest season ticket holde We are focused on our game try to perform well and win and wait to see what happens because it doesnt only depend on us but 99 per cent it depends on us to fight until the end of the season for the title.Meanwhile, Pochettino has been given a welcome injury boost, with news Toby Alderweireld has recovered from a stomach bug and is expected to be fit to face Liverpool.Fellow defender Jan Vertonghen is back in training after overcoming a knee injury, and while this weekend will come too soon for the Belgian, he could be available to face Manchester United on April 10.Watch Liverpool v Tottenham on Saturday Night Football. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 5pm. Or watch live for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. 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