At 30 years old, Philippe Maillet has only played two games in the National League, but he is holding on to his dream with the Laval Rocket.
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The center player from Lachenaie has an atypical background. After his junior internship with the Victoriaville Tigres, he spent four years in college at the University of New Brunswick, where he racked up points like a card counter chips at a blackjack table.
After five seasons in the American Hockey League and a two-game stint with the Washington Capitals in 2020-2021, he went to Magnitogorsk, Russia, where he had fun in the KHL.
He proved once again that he could fill his points bag.
Not enough
“I wanted to go there to play hockey, I had great success my first year, I wanted to come back [ici], but the contracts didn’t materialize so I went back and had another big season. »
“I told myself that whether it was a one-sided deal or a two-sided deal, I would bet on myself. Things didn’t work out in training camp, but it’s the beginning of October. »
After a 39-point first season, Maillet finished 14th in the KHL with 53 points in 66 games last season, but when he returns home it will have to be done all over again.
“Martin [St-Louis] I had never seen myself play before, there are few recruiters there, so I’m a new product. I think they were happy and saw that I was fit to play. »
Stand up
Because of his background, he didn’t bow when he was told his short-term future lay in Laval.
“I’ve always been known as an attacking player, but I think I’ve shown that I can be used in several areas [façons]. I win my face-offs, I can do the defensive work. I want to play for the Canadian, that’s why I came back from Europe. »
“It’s very busy at the top at the moment, I don’t see this as a defeat, it’s really a long season. I’ve had a long career and every time something happens I recover, it’s nothing new. When I think about the player I was two years ago, I am even more complete. »
For his part, Jean-François Houle believes that he is inheriting a good veteran who can help him.
“He is a player with good skills, he has proven that he is capable of collecting points in the American League and in the KHL. I think he can be a good mentor for young people and help them progress. »
“We agree that having players supervised can make a difference. The coach can do it, but when it comes from his teammates it goes more between the ears,” added Maillet, who knows exactly which chair he is sitting in, to use a phrase appreciated by the organization.