At 34 years old, Alex Belzile just enjoyed the most productive season of his career. And yet, it all seems perfectly logical
By Justin Vézina
A quick visit to the American Hockey League statistics page is enough to spot Alex Belzile’s name near the top of the list. The assistant captain put together an outstanding season, recording 62 points, including 29 goals, in 66 games. A career high for the 34-year-old forward.
“I’m not really surprised,” he admitted when faced with that reality.
Belzile may not quite have a yearly subscription to the fountain of youth, but he does have far more rational explanations for how he has continued to improve at an age when retirement can start looking tempting for many athletes.
“Every year so far, the season I’m having is better than the previous one, so I don’t see why that would stop,” said the player who has nothing to envy of Benjamin Button.
The secret ingredient for the new dad? Passion.
“I’ve always been an extremely passionate guy,” noted the Rivière-du-Loup native. “The people around me know that I love hockey. It’s the thing I love most in the world.
“As you get older, some people slow down, but I think that has to do with desire or passion. It can be a lot of things, but for me, it’s the opposite. I love coming to work every single day.”
Belzile may be smarter and more efficient than he was at the start of his professional career, but he is also in peak physical shape. “This season, I had my best physical testing results when you compare them with my other five seasons in the Canadiens’ organization.”
That helps explain why the most productive player on the best team in the North Division also happens to be its elder statesman.
A productive return home
As mentioned, Alex Belzile spent five seasons within the Montreal Canadiens organization, during which he played 44 games with the big club and served as captain of the Laval Rocket.
However, after two years in the New York Rangers organization, the Quebecer did not hesitate to return home.
“When the offer to come back here was on the table, it was easy. It was my Plan A,” he said.
Ten months later, the main person concerned is still just as satisfied with his decision.
“I have nothing but positive things to say about the Canadiens and Rocket organizations. I knew what to expect, and it’s the same as it was before. Being in an environment that gives you confidence off the ice carries over onto the ice. It’s often connected,” he explained.
The only real change for Belzile was the presence of head coach Pascal Vincent. It’s easy to see that mutual respect runs deep between the two passionate hockey men.
“Pascal does an incredible job. Last year, the Rocket finished first in the league, and this year we’re once again among the top teams. He deserves a lot of credit for that. We, the players, are just the other end that’s connected to the coaches. When you’re well coached, you often get very good results on the ice,” said number 22.
For a second straight season, the Rocket finished atop the North Division. All that remains now is to translate that success into the playoffs.
“I wouldn’t say the real season starts now, but in a way, that’s when real hockey is played. I’m excited,” he concluded.
Belzile and his teammates will not have to wait much longer, as the Rocket will begin their playoff run next week against the winner of the series between the Toronto Marlies and the Rochester Americans. That best-of-three series is currently tied 1–1. The decisive game will be played Sunday in the late afternoon.