At 34 years old, Alex Belzile has just enjoyed the most productive season of his career. However, it all seems to make perfect sense
Written by Justin Vézina
A quick visit to the American Hockey League’s statistics page is enough to see 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 striker.
“I’m not really surprised,” he admitted when faced with that fact.
Belzile may not have a year’s worth of the fountain of youth, but he has other plausible explanations for how he’s continued to thrive at an age when retirement might seem tempting to many athletes.
“Every year until now, the season I’m having is better than the previous one, so I don’t see why that can’t stop,” said the player who doesn’t envy Benjamin Button.
The new dad’s secret ingredient? Enthusiasm.
“I have always been a very loving boy,” commented the native of Louperivois. “People who are close to me know that I love hockey, it’s my favorite thing in the world.
“As you get older, some people slow down, but I think that has to do with desire or interest. It could be a lot of things, but for me, it’s the opposite. I love coming to work every day.”
Belzile may be smarter and more efficient than before his professional career, but he’s also in great physical shape. “This season, I had my best physical exam results compared to my 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 oldest executive.
A productive homecoming
As mentioned, Alex Belzile spent five seasons in the Montreal Canadiens organization, where he played 44 games with the senior team and served as the 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 stakeholder is still satisfied with his decision.
“I have nothing but good things to say about the Canadiens and Rocket organizations. I knew what to expect, and it’s the same as before. Being in a place that gives you confidence on the ice carries over to the ice. It’s often connected,” he explained.
The real change for Belzile is the presence of coach Pascal Vincent. It’s easy to see that the mutual respect runs deep between two passionate hockey men.
“Pascal is doing an excellent job. Last year, Rocket finished first in the league, and this year we are again among the top teams. He deserves a lot of praise for that. We players are another end connected to the coaches. If you are trained well, you usually get very good results on the ice,” said number 22.
For the second season in a row, the Rockets finished atop the North Division. All that’s left now is to translate that success into the playoffs.
“I can’t say that the real season starts now, but in a way, this is where the real hockey is played, I’m happy,” he concluded.
Belzile and his teammates won’t have to wait long, as the Rockets will begin their playoff game next week where they will face the winner of the series between the Toronto Marlies and the Rochester Americans. The best-of-three series is currently tied at 1–1. The final will be played on Sunday afternoon.
