“It’s always been my dream, my feeling, that I could be that player in that league. »
Posted at 5:51 p.m.
The patience and efforts of Frédérick Gaudreau finally paid off. After dividing his time between the NHL and the American League in recent years, the Quebecer showed last year the impact he can have on the Bettman circuit. He had 44 points in 76 games with the Wild.
Visiting Brossard for training for his team on Monday afternoon, the 29-year-old forward chuckled when asked if he felt like he had finally proven he deserved a place him well in a big league roster.
“In the National League, what I realized really early on was that you never really proved your place,” he answered frankly, before acknowledging that last season had been “ beautiful “.
“Above all, it was just fun showing up to the arena with these guys every day. I think, for me, that was success in my season. It was to have fun. »
Gaudreau has not always had it easy. But he believed in himself. Never drafted, the Bromontois played four seasons in the American League before playing a full campaign in the Bettman circuit, in 2018-2019, with the Nashville Predators. The following year, he returned to the American League.
“I wanted an opportunity to play even if it was in the American League, because I wanted to rebuild myself, to become the player that I know I am capable of becoming in this league. That’s what happened, ”he said on Tuesday.
That season allowed him to sign a one-year contract with the Penguins in 2020 and arrive in Pittsburgh “more confident”. More “himself”, that is to say “more versatile and complete than strictly defensive”, he explained.
As part of Sidney Crosby’s roster, Gaudreau had 10 points in 19 games, earning him a contract with the Wild the following year. Which brings us to today. Patience and effort, they said.
“I have always believed in it. I’ve always stuck with that idea. It has guided my decisions over the years. »
Grateful
Since the start of the season, Gaudreau has been playing on the Wild’s second line alongside youngsters Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi. Like his team, which has won only one of its first five games, the Bromontois does not know the expected start, having collected no points in five games. It must be said that he was placed on the wing rather than another center, which requires “a small period of adaptation”.
After a season like last year and as he enters the final year of his two-year contract, Gaudreau could legitimately feel some pressure to put on some good offensive performances. But he tries to see things differently.
“Every time I show up at the arena, I get on the ice like when I was a little guy with a gang of boys which is amazing. My head should stop thinking about anything else. That’s quite simply what I’m focusing on this season, what I’m working on. »
As for the contract, “it’s just business”. “I don’t want to spend a season losing my mind with these things,” he said. I’m playing hockey this year, so I just want to take it with a lot of gratitude. »