Forged Steelheads: How Idaho became a launch pad for two AHL All-Stars

Laval Rocket captain Alex Belzile acquired the information he was going to the All Star Recreation in his dwelling rink so final minute, he couldn’t make plans for family and friends to get to the sport.

The final minute name wanted a number of issues to occur. First, Belzile wanted to be despatched down, then Justin Barron — the particular person he changed — wanted to say within the NHL. These issues occurred, and it led to a reunion with somebody Belzile met on his winding street to the NHL.

Belzile was in his third skilled season when he joined the Idaho Steelheads for the 2014-15 season. That very same season, Neil Graham was in his third season as an assistant coach for the Steelheads. This previous weekend, Belzile represented the North Division whereas Graham, who now coaches the Texas Stars, was the coach of the Central Division workforce.

At that time, Belzile had three stops within the ECHL and a brief stint with the Hamilton Bulldogs within the AHL, however hadn’t had sustained success. The season in Idaho was his breakout. He had 28 objectives and 41 assists in 63 video games, and completed second in workforce scoring.

“I keep in mind him being a really clever, cerebral hockey participant,” Graham stated about Belzile. “Passionate for the sport. Passionate for studying. He was a superb teammate and that’s simply Alex Belzile the hockey participant. I believe as an individual, I completely loved him. Simply seeing him in the present day was thrilling. It’s been some time, we clearly then confronted off in opposition to one another within the playoffs on completely different groups however to see him in the end get to the Montreal Canadiens and dwell out his dream it’s been particular to observe his growth and progress. It’s particular that I get to see him right here.”

“That’s what it’s all about on the All-Star recreation. My first one in Springfield, I had a coach that coached me in Alaska within the ECHL,” Belzile stated. “It’s enjoyable to see Neil having success in his teaching profession too. He was a extremely devoted coach and I had enjoyable in Idaho that yr, we had a extremely good workforce and it’s clearly enjoyable to see him once more.”

After the yr in Idaho, Belzile had two extra seasons cut up between the AHL and ECHL earlier than becoming a member of the Rocket. After one season in Laval, he earned himself an NHL contract for the primary time at 27 years previous. He made his NHL debut within the bubble playoffs in 2020, earlier than in the end incomes an everyday season shot the subsequent season.

“It’s an ideal instance of perseverence,” Graham stated. “After we coached him, he was extraordinarily pushed not solely to maneuver to the next stage however he knew what wanted to be completed and he was passionate for the profitable facet of video games. He pushed his teammates, he wished to do issues the proper approach and there’s no shock that he was capable of work his approach up. You take a look at his hockey resume, the completely different stops alongside the way in which, he most likely has fairly the story to inform however us being a small chapter in that story is particular and we’re pleased with him and we’re not shocked.”

Whereas Belzile labored his approach as much as the NHL, Graham is doing in order effectively. The yr after Belzile was in Idaho, Graham turned the Steelheads’ head coach. He stayed there for 4 years earlier than turning into an assistant with the Texas Stars. That very same yr, he was promoted to move coach after Jim Montgomery’s dismissal led to a shakeup of the group’s coaches.

Now in his third full season with the Stars, he has led them to a 24-11-9 file, which was prime within the Central Division. The group views him extremely, and he’s absolutely a rising star (no pun meant) within the teaching ranks. Whereas Graham wasn’t stunned that Belzile made all of it the way in which to the NHL, Belzile isn’t stunned that Graham has made it this far, both.

“He’s been a tough working man, he’s sharp in his method to hockey,” Belzile stated. “He’s actually critical. Whenever you work arduous and do the proper issues, good issues that may occur.”