There weren’t any Montreal Canadiens at the NHL All-Star Game, but the Laval Rocket were represented at the AHL’s event via Alex Belzile.
The Montreal Canadiens had an active summer adding and acquiring talent through trades, but it went deeper than that. The Laval Rocket got a boost in personnel as well, and one of the offseason acquisitions was Alex Belzile.
The 27-year-old has spent his professional hockey career between the AHL and ECHL. He played 64 games with the San Antonio Ramage putting up 14 goals and 20 assists and is set to breakthrough those numbers this season in Laval as Belzile already has 35 points in 45 games.
The team as a whole haven’t managed to put too many wins together, but his storyline this year is one worth looking into. Belzile being named to the AHL All-Star Weekend was just another chapter within it.
The skills competition was on Sunday seeing Belzile involved in the Rapid Fire with Cory Conacher and Breakaway relay events. Belzile and Conacher held their own against the other duos getting four pucks past goaltender Kevin Boyle who made six saves himself.
Belzile then had some fun on the breakaway challenge even though his scoring attempt didn’t get by Josef Korenar. Making his way down with the puck flat on his blade, Belzile flipped it up into the air attempting to bat it in with the other end of his stick. The initial attempt didn’t make it on net and in usual form, Belzile didn’t give up on the play trying to backhand it in inches from in front of Korenar. But it’s all about having fun, and if you haven’t gotten a chance to see it, it was pretty funny.
Monday will see a set of round robin 3-on-3 games between divisions to wrap up the AHL All-Star Classic starting at 7:00 PM ET. The games can be seen on the NHL Network, SportsnetOne, or online at AHLTV. Maybe Belzile will do something else to force a grin on viewers.
In Case You Missed It
Four questions for the Montreal Canadiens to think about over the break
The Habs are on break, and Marc Bergevin has some things to ponder over including the future of Karl Alzner in the organization.
Are the Montreal Canadiens contenders or pretenders?
Our latest Winning Roundup diving looking ahead to where the Montreal Canadiens finish the season, the effectiveness of the fourth line, and whether Paul Byron‘s suspension was justified.
An NHL All-Star Skills competition without the Montreal Canadiens
It’s been a while since the Montreal Canadiens didn’t have anyone representing them at the All-Star game. At least Youppi! was there.
Joni Ikonen having a quick offensive start to the season
Ikonen is back and didn’t take too much time to get on the scoreboard for KalPa.
Morning Links
Differences Between Chiarelli & Bergevin (THW)
It was an easy comparison a year ago, but one has had a much more positive set of months.
Joni Ikonen speaks about his recovery and return to ice hockey (HEOTP)
It’s a been a long road to recovery, but Joni Ikonen took the time to share his thoughts on the process and his hopes for the season.