(Laval) Alex Belzile admits it; he has not circled the date December 8, 2023 on his personal calendar. Even if it corresponded to his return to the ice at Place Bell, where he gave himself body and soul for five seasons to the cause of the Laval Rocket. But it is not out of bitterness, quite the contrary.
Now a member of the New York Rangers organization and current color wearer of the Hartford Wolf Pack — their farm club in the American League — Belzile played his first game at Place Bell in a uniform other than that of the Rocket on Friday . And another will follow on Saturday afternoon.
However, the striker from Saint-Éloi, near Rivière-du-Loup, appeared in front of a small group of Montreal journalists looking relaxed and with a smile on his lips on Friday morning.
And throughout the press scrum, Belzile ended up admitting that the game in which he was going to take part in the evening would have a special character.
“I would be lying if I said it was a match like any other. Already this morning, I had an easy smile. I knew a little about what was going to happen today. It sure is exciting. That’s the “fun”. A special match, a great weekend. I’m very happy to come back and skate here again,” Belzile said after his team’s practice session.
When Belzile mentions that he knew a little about what was going to happen on Friday, that’s not entirely accurate. For example, he could not hide a certain surprise when he learned from a journalist that a two-minute tribute video was going to be broadcast on the central scoreboard just before the start of the match.
A video he watched from his position on the blue line, alongside four of his teammates, as a member of the Wolf Pack starting lineup.
“Ah yes?, It’s fun”, that’s for sure. All attention…”, he first commented in the morning when he learned the information.
“I’m very grateful to all the people who have supported me, who are giving me love in this. It’s sure going to be fun.” There is still a game to play, we will have to stay focused. But it’s going to be great times, that’s for sure. »
After the video was broadcast, the spectators gathered at Place Bell warmly applauded the former Rocket player. Smiling, Belzile reacted by tapping his gloves, as a gesture of applause, and raising his stick in the air.
If he hadn’t circled the date December 8, it’s because the 32-year-old hockey player is trying to live day by day, he said. Also, he adds, things can change quickly in hockey and there is no point looking too far ahead.
Finally, the Wolf Pack faced the Cleveland Monsters on Wednesday and their focus, the days before, was directed towards this game.
“I started thinking about it more yesterday (Thursday). Friends, family, my parents, my entourage were much more excited than me,” he said.
After several years traveling to all corners of the continent to practice his favorite sport, Belzile joined the Rocket during the 2018-19 season.
He played four other campaigns with the Laval team in addition to playing 50 games with the Montreal Canadiens, including six during the 2020 playoffs.
With the Rocket, Belzile appeared in 174 games, a team-high, tied with Lukas Vejdemo. Additionally, he is the Rocket’s all-time leader in goals (54), assists (76) and points (130).
Third captain in team history, Belzile also made two appearances at the American League All-Star Game as the Rocket’s color wearer, during the 2018-19 and 2022-23 seasons.
“I have a lot of great memories here. Five great years in Laval, in Montreal. I am truly grateful. This is the organization that gave me my first chance, not only in the American League, but in the National League as well. It’s always going to be special to come back and play here,” Belzile said.
However, the 2022-23 season will have been Belzile’s last with the Canadiens organization.
“There was interest. I can’t say there wasn’t any interest,” he says, speaking of the talks he had with the Canadian.
“There were other teams too. I think it was the first time in my life that I could really take my time and I had, parenthetically, the short end of the stick,” Belzile added.
The Quebec striker finally opted for the Rangers organization, which granted him a two-season contract, the second of which was one-part.
Cut from Rangers training camp at the end of September, Belzile headed to Hartford where he would eventually reunite with goaltender Louis Domingue, a longtime friend, and his first professional roommate, with the Gwinnett Gladiators in the ECHL 11 years ago.
Belzile admits that the presence of Domingue facilitated his adaptation with his new team, one of the best in the American League. And Belzile stands out with a record of seven goals and 22 points in 21 games, before facing the Rocket.
“As soon as you have a close friend, to walk into a new locker room, it’s a little bit less impressive.
“Basically, I’m joining an excellent hockey team, really well managed. We play in a simple but very effective way. When you arrive at a club that is already doing very well, it’s easier to acclimatize. »
