Derick Brassard remembers seeing the loose puck at the edge of the net during an Ottawa Senators power play in the first period. He tried to push it with the tip of the paddle to prevent Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Felix Sandström from stopping him, just as the opponent was descending on him with ferocity.
One of his skates got stuck in a crack in the ice as he was carried away by the force of the crowd. Then there was this sharp pain in his ankle, the most excruciating he had ever felt, even more so than when his shoulders left their socket or he shattered his jaw.
Thus ended, on March 30, 2023, with only seven games remaining in the season, an admirable career of 1013 games spread over 16 seasons for this sixth choice in 2006, with three teams mainly, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Rangers of New York and the Ottawa Senators.
Our 36-year-old man from Hull was just finishing a physiotherapy session when he called back The Press.
“I probably would have played one more season,” he confides. I was in DJ Smith’s plans, I think. But it took me eight months to recover. Arriving in November, with the signing of Vladimir Tarasenko, the salary situation of the Senators, it would not have worked. I would be able to play right now, but at my age, after missing a full year, it would be impossible to come back. Hockey is over for me. »
Brassard suffered a torn ligament in his ankle. Surgery was necessary. “They reattached my foot to the back. I never wanted to watch the restart of the game, it was too disgusting. Mikhail Sergachev suffered the same thing. I texted him, actually. I was surprised that he was able to come back after three or four months. »
He thought about returning somewhere last winter. “The Spengler Cup tournament interested me, but I would have had to go to Switzerland and with a little guy of 10 months, I was still quite comfortable at home. I didn’t want to move. »
This annual competition welcomes some former NHL players, including, last winter, Jordie Benn, Nathan Beaulieu, Éric Gélinas and former Canadian prospect Daniel Audette, under the direction of Bruce Boudreau.
But the rigors of the job weighed on him in recent years.
I was starting to find it heavy. I was often on the therapist’s table playing as many matches as possible. It’s frustrating when you’re not 100% for your match. I still scored 13 goals [en 63 matchs] in my final year. I could have pushed, but with the ankle, it was enough. I didn’t want to risk another operation.
Derick Brassard
The birth of Hutson Brassard, in August 2023, was a blessing for him. “I was a little apprehensive about retirement. I had the same routine since I was 15. It went well in the end. I did my physical therapy program, I spent a lot of time with my little guy, I played in garage leagues with friends, I did things I never could have done before. Having this little boy in my life helped a lot. I would have liked to have had him before and taken him to the rink, like the other hockey dads did, but life is like that. I love being a dad. »
He continues his physio sessions in order to stay active on a daily basis. “I like golf, pickleball, hockey, tennis. Already last summer, with the injury, I was having trouble playing golf. After six surgeries, three times shoulder, ankle, wrist, jaw, I have to take care of my body. »
PHOTO DAVID GOLDMAN, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Derick Brassard (16) with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010
The second career
He has ideas for the future, but he has not yet launched his second career. “I would like to work in hockey. But with the baby, it’s more difficult at the moment. I had offers in different roles for NHL clubs, but that would have required me to travel a lot. And I don’t want to move the family again. »
Ideally, he would work for the Canadiens or the Senators in a managerial or development role.
“I have a good relationship with Jeff [Gorton]he was assistant to the general manager when I started in New York and he was the one who traded me to Ottawa once I was general manager [contre Mika Zibanejad]. He always told me to come see him when I retired. He is now VP of hockey operations in Montreal, but the Canadian already has a lot of hockey men. I’ll be patient, maybe the Senators with the new group. Otherwise, junior hockey possibly, but I’m in no rush. »
The media? He will not explore this avenue. “It takes a certain skill to speak on camera. Guys are good at doing this. I’ve never tried it, but I don’t see myself in that role. »
Brassard played almost six seasons in Columbus. Jarmo Kekäläinen traded him to the New York Rangers in April 2013, at the age of 25, for Marian Gaborik. Four years later, a Stanley Cup final and a final four the following year, he moved to the Ottawa Senators for Zibanejad. He stayed there for two seasons, more modest offensively, before settling in Pittsburgh, Florida, Colorado, Long Island, Arizona, Philadelphia, Edmonton and then Ottawa again during the last six years of his career. career.
I was happy to have the opportunity to play in my area, in Ottawa, my parents could come to every game, but I had my best years with the Rangers. Playing at Madison Square Garden, wearing the vest… it took me years to come down after the trade, even though I had the privilege of playing close to home. I grew up watching the Canadiens, but I’m a boy from the Outaouais.
Derick Brassard
He experienced unforgettable things in New York. “I attended the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium, the World Series when the Mets played the Royals [de Kansas City], we had the chance to go see the NBA Knicks on the sidelines with the owner’s tickets, the concerts, it’s quite an experience. I even stayed in Connecticut for two summers to train. »
He had his best years at center for Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash, with a 60-point season, but also 44 points in 59 playoff games with the Rangers.
“It helps when you play with superstars like Zuccarello and Nash. Zuccarello is the best playmaker I have played with in my career. He’s really smart, I have a good relationship with him. Nash was the big guy of the trio. »
PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Derick Brassard (left) with the New York Rangers in 2013
Leadership in Ottawa
The loss of Brassard, an important leader in his final season, was often deplored in the Ottawa media during the winter. The main person concerned makes the same observation. “The team has been looking for each other for several years. There is talent, but everything has to be in place. We need more mature players. There’s Claude Giroux, but it takes more than a leader to help Brady [Tkachuk]. He was made captain at a young age, he needed help. Even the oldest leaders in Montreal, like Nick Suzuki, need their David Savard, their Mike Matheson. »
The Senators also need reinforcements on defense. “Take the Stanley Cup Final. There is no space on the ice. You must be able to counter the best opposing players. Thomas Chabot has been there for several years, but he needs to be supported. Jake Sanderson has just arrived and at only 21 years old, it’s not fair to put that on his shoulders. If they can add at least two defenders capable of taking big minutes, with experience, it will help them. »
Does he look favorably on the Canadian’s reconstruction? “They do things the right way. When you’re not among the NHL’s biggest destinations for free agents, you don’t have a choice to rebuild. Slafkovsky’s progress in the second half of the season is impressive. At first, I was worried about his skills with the puck. He gained confidence and the puck stuck to his paddle. The projection of [Juraj] Slafkovsky at 25, with his physique, he will be dangerous. He seems like a bully and he competes.
“On defense, I like Kaiden Guhle,” he continues. You win playoff games with defenders like him. He’s not going to lead your numerical superiorities, but counter McDavid and Matthews. A good second defender. And in Montreal, with the depth, he will not have to play on a second wave on the power play. These are the two young people who hold my attention the most. »
He would have liked to play in Montreal. “I have been available over the years, but it has never worked out. It would have been special. Maybe work for them one day, you never know…”