Alex Belzile wastes no time when asked if expectations will be higher at Place Bell this season: “The championships are what we play hockey for…”
Posted at 4:34 p.m.
The tone is set, and it’s exactly the same tone that the Rocket will try to set in its first game of the season, Friday night in Laval, by hosting the Belleville Senators.
The Canadian school club is coming back from the dream season that we know, which did not end with a championship, but which nevertheless led to a happy spring. It’s the kind of thing the Rocket guys want to repeat this time around, only better.
“There have been changes in the team and that’s the reality of the American League, added Belzile in a telephone interview Thursday. But we still kept our core players. There are a lot of veterans from last season who are coming back, and last season I think we showed the rest of the league who we are, with our fans, our noisy arena, our team. We want to continue on this momentum. »
Among the returning veterans, there is of course Belzile himself, who returns this time with the captain’s C embroidered on his jersey, inherited from Xavier Ouellet. A management choice that Belzile happily accepted.
First of all, I think it’s very flattering… I’m very honored to represent the Rocket and the organization of the Canadiens like that, the club of my childhood. But in reality, it does not change much in the work that must be done on a daily basis. It’s a club here that is well built with veterans, and it’s up to us to continue to set an example for the youngest.
Alex Belzile
“I heard the news from [l’entraîneur] Jean-François Houle, who came to announce it in the locker room on Monday. This is very good news because for me, helping people comes naturally. »
On a personal level, Belzile, at age 31, has not given up hope of one day returning to skating on National League ice. A privilege he was able to taste with the Canadian, the time of two games in 2020-2021, and the time of 11 games during the last season. In 13 season games with the Montreal club, and 6 others in the playoffs in the bubble in 2020, the Quebec forward was able to collect 2 assists.
He didn’t expect to end up at the Bell Center right away, especially since the Canadiens didn’t really have a place among the forwards to start this season.
But he hopes his cell phone will ring during the campaign…
“Obviously the main goal, when you show up for training camp, is to be part of the club… I was able to hold on a year ago, now I’m in Laval, but as I always tell the youngest: you never know. The seasons are long, there are injuries, changes.
“I don’t lose hope and I continue to improve every year. There are plenty of players who had their best seasons after the age of 30. You never know when your phone is going to ring…”
Season over for Fairbrother
Separately, the Rocket announced Thursday afternoon that defenseman Gianni Fairbrother suffered a season-ending right knee injury. The injury occurred during the Oct. 9 game at Belleville. The 2019 third-round pick had 1 goal and 6 assists in 25 games with the Rocket last season.