I remember when we thought he was finally the goaltender that we'd been waiting for. He was great too for a short time. Sad how it turned out, but he made it to the NHL which is something thousands of other players would switch places with him for. He made a good income for a short time. Best wishes to the guy wherever he ends up.
I'm extremely saddened by this news. Just terrible how he had a great career ahead of him but all the work he put in turns to crap because his leg won't keep up.
Sucks to see how much talent he had go to waste due to injuries. He was a solid goalie in Ottawa, but with all the injuries he had it was tough on him. He'd be rusty when he came back and by the time he'd get going another injury would happen.
As a Haligonian, I remember going to the Halifax Metro Centre with my Father to see our hometown Mooseheads play. Not thinking much of who they were at the time; I was more overjoyed to just be at a hockey game with him, I managed to see such talented players, many who would make the NHL in the following years.
However, a certain few players will always stick out in my memory: Goaltender Alexei Volkov, a Russian who always stood on his head for us and was always cheered... until the World Juniors would come around and he'd be starting against Canada.
Brandon Reid, who to me, seemed like a poor mans Pavel Bure. He always captivated the crowd with his speed and stick handling. He would occasionally transfer his figure skating abilities to his hockey game, doing spins and leaps. One time, I remember he was skating at his high speed along the boards, saw a player coming at him, and performed a pirouette... at full speed. I was marvelled at how he could pull something like that off.. on ice!!
Jason King, who would eventually be part of the 'Mattress Line' with the Sedin's. He always seemed to put the puck past the goalie...
Last, but not least, was a rookie goaltender... He worked so hard whenever I saw him hit the ice for the Moose, and I am so glad that I managed to see him when I could. His name was Pascal Leclaire. He would go on to be a 1st round pick, 8th overall... and when he was picked by Columbus, it made me feel so proud to be from Halifax. To this day I still have my booklet from the 2000 Memorial Cup in Halifax, containing Lecalire's signature.
You were always one of my favourite players growing up, and continued to be one of my favourite players. As a Halifax Mooseheads fan and more importantly, a fan of this great game... Thank You.
And yes, I know he isn't going to read that.... ever.
He had one moment of glory though,the Sens Penguins playoff triple overtime game where he was stellar.
I'd say he had more than one moment, I'll forever remember him as that goalie that got a ridiculous amount of shutouts that one season and then was never heard from again.
It's a shame seeing talented players retire early though. I wonder how many of these injuries could have been avoided with proper training while they were younger in regards to stretching, training and physical fitness.
I'd say he had more than one moment, I'll forever remember him as that goalie that got a ridiculous amount of shutouts that one season and then was never heard from again.
Steve Mason?
But really, I remember that season, it was great for him, especially early on. I'm pretty sure 4 of his 9 shutouts came in the first 15 games or something crazy like that.
