GRENIER FRESH FROM BUSY WEEKEND
Feb 2, 2017Alexandre Grenier was busy last weekend.
While his Comets teammates began dispersing from The AUD last Saturday evening, with several days of "time off" planned, Grenier had his itinerary pre-planned.
"It's always an honor. As a kid, it was special for me to watch (All-Star games) on TV," says Grenier, speaking of his selection on January 19 to the AHL All-Star Classic.
With his parents at Saturday's Comets-Crunch game at The AUD, having made the drive from their suburban Montreal home, once Alexandre was dressed and packed, they immediately left for Allentown, PA. A member of the Eastern Conference's North Division, Grenier (and fellow Comets All-Star Jordan Subban) kept a busy schedule in the Classic's host city.
On Monday evening, teaming (temporarily) with members from rival North organizations, Grenier participated in the round-robin tournament games between the AHL's four divisions. However, the night before at the PPL Center, the fourth-year Comet was in heavy demand.
Signed up for three events in the skills tournament, Grenier was eager to catch up with some "old friends".
Former Comets' teammate Nick Jensen is one friend that the Utica forward had sought out. "I'm really happy for him," states Grenier of the success Jensen continues to enjoy in the New York Rangers' organization. It's time to catch up."
Springfield Thunderbirds' defenseman MacKenzie Weegar was another name for Grenier to check off, as far as being reacquainted with. They have a past, as both played for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL.
Grenier, leading the Comets in scoring (35 points) at the season's break, began his Saturday evening (January 29) entered in Event three – AHL Live Rapid Fire. Shooting alongside Toronto Marlies' Kerby Rychel, Grenier traded shots at San Jose Barracuda netminder Troy Grosenick in round one.
Event six - Giant Food Stores/Velaspan Pass and Score – this time, Grenier had fellow Comet Subban and St. John's IceCaps' Chris Terry laying on the offense to goalie Anton Forsberg.
In what was to be Grenier's final outing at the PPL Center during the skills competition, in round seven he teamed with his pal from Halifax, Weegar and three others (including Devon Toews, winner of the CCM Fasted Skater event representing the Bridgeport Sound Tigers) challenging Jack Campbell in goal, during the ExteNet Systems Breakaway Relay.
"Greener (Comets' coach Travis Green) came up to, and said, "You're in the All-Star game". We (Comets) had just traveled a long road trip," remembers Grenier.
The North Division went 1-2 in tournament play.
Having his parents with him to share his very first All-Star experience at any level of play, Grenier soaked up of being "in the moment", in Allentown. "(Being selected an All-Star) means your efforts are being successful. That's a good feeling."
Completing the eight-hour round trip drive, from Allentown to Utica on Tuesday, Grenier and his teammates resume the AHL's second half of the season on Friday in Hartford.
Written by Don Laible