Alexis Gravel’s incredible journey

How much can we – or do we want, rather – to stick to professional hockey? Every minor league player invariably asks himself the question at one point or another.

Simon-Olivier Lorange
Press

Alexis Gravel has just been there. And he was quick to respond, most frankly, when he found himself facing the unknown as to his future. “It doesn’t make sense to do this all my life. ”

Recently released by the Allen Americans in the ECHL, the 21-year-old goaltender will begin a new chapter in his life and career over the next few days. Less than two months after having rubbed shoulders with the Canadiens’ players at the team’s training camp, he will put on a new uniform, that of the Patriotes de l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR).

To say the past few weeks have been busy for the former Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL, is an understatement. Invited to the Canadiens rookie camp in mid-September on a trial contract, he subsequently attended the main camp – “in the best shape of my life,” he said.

Cut off two weeks later, he reported to the Laval Rocket in the American League, again there in the hope of signing a contract. However, the workforce in front of the net was already complete not only in this team, but also in the branch of the Lions of Trois-Rivières, in the ECHL. The disappointment was sharp for the one who hoped willingly to play in Quebec for the first time since the Bantam ranks.

The call of the Americans then came. Heading to Allen, Texas, hoping to stay there until Christmas. “After that, we’ll see,” he said to himself.

The experiment only lasted three weeks. Due to the unexpected return of the club’s first goalkeeper, Antoine Bibeau, there was congestion in the semi-circle. And it was Gravel who got hit. Back to square one, then.

With ECHL operating under a weekly salary cap, some players can quickly become nomads. And the Quebecer did not want this way of life.

“You can be released or traded anytime, there is no stability,” he said on the phone. It’s not an easy league, it’s very open. I said to myself: it doesn’t make sense to do this all my life. Go and study, spend three or four years with the Patriots. ”

Enthusiasm

Putting his dream of becoming a professional hockey player on hold is of course not a decision that Alexis Gravel made out of heart. However, he took his turn towards university hockey with great enthusiasm.

Her sister is already studying at UQTR. His father, François Gravel, also a goalkeeper and ex-Canadian first-round pick in 1987, spent a season there before flying to Europe for a career in France, Germany (where Alexis was born). ) and Italy.

Academically, first, Alexis got a taste of university in Halifax, where he had the status of a free student. Describing himself as a student who has to work hard to get good grades, he will now be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in administration.

In terms of hockey, then, he will be introduced to a caliber that frankly surprised him when he attended the Pats’ first local game last Sunday. “I couldn’t believe how good hockey it was! He exclaims.

In fact, the flirtation between Gravel and the Patriots had started during the summer. He went to visit the campus and the sports facilities. UQTR was his “plan A”… if he played in the college league. Because his real plan A was to play for the professionals. What did not happen, but which could always happen later, you never know. “I’m going to be a better goalie at 24-25 than at 21,” he predicts.

Here is moreover that a happy combination of circumstances ensured that a goalkeeper position was vacated in Trois-Rivières, since Zachary Bouthillier did the opposite by finding a full-time job in the ECHL.

On a personal level, finally, Alexis Gravel has the feeling to put down his suitcases. The first years of his life he spent in Europe, depending on his father’s career. After returning to Quebec for a few years, this time it was his mother’s job that led him to play in Ontario, for the Mississauga Senators. He then spent his entire junior career in Nova Scotia. In the meantime, he also attended two training camps for the Chicago Blackhawks, a team that drafted him in the sixth round in 2018, but with whom he never signed a contract.

In Mauricie, he will be close to his sister, his parents and his grandparents. “I realize how positive it is. I’m really happy, ”he says.

” I am excited to begin ! », He adds feverishly.

In Trois-Rivières to stay there

Patriotes head coach Marc-Étienne Hubert confirms it: his new player is pumped up. He will join his teammates over the next few days.

In reality, Gravel is far from being the first in its situation. For 10 or 15 years, says Hubert, studies are much more valued among young hockey players. “The guys have this openness, to want to do a baccalaureate first while continuing to progress towards the professional ranks. It has evolved, and so has the caliber of the league. It helps guys make up their minds. ”

Despite the disappointment of a dream that is eroding, he has never seen a player arrive with his head between his legs, he says. “We wouldn’t want guys who end up here by default. ”

Alexis Gravel is also categorical: wearing the Patriots jersey is not a consolation prize. An NHL entry contract could set him back, but nothing is on the radar. Until further notice, he is a student-athlete.

In Trois-Rivières, he will share the net with Tristan Côté-Cazenave. He does not yet know what workload awaits him. To be honest, he doesn’t worry too much.

“When they give me the net, it will be up to me to keep it. This is how it works. ”

The Patriots will play their next game on Friday when they host the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.