Laval Rocket captain Froese using life in minors as motivation
Byron Froese might never be a star, but of the 110 National Hockey League games he has played over eight years, 48 came with the Canadiens last season. On Tuesday morning, following an early 60-minute practice at Place Bell, Froese and his Laval Rocket teammates were preparing for a nearly 400-kilometre bus trip to Utica, N.Y., and a game Wednesday night. Then it’ll be another six hours by bus to Cleveland the following day for a pair of weekend games. The organization will take a charter flight back from there, but there are few perks in the American Hockey League. “It’s always tough,” Froese said. “At the same time, it’s motivation. You remember the days on the (NHL) charter flights. You keep it in the back of your mind for motivation.” Froese, a 27-year-old centre from Winkler, Man., was a fourth-round (119th overall) draft choice of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2009. He signed a two-year, US$1.3-million contract with the Canadiens in July 2017, and found himself recalled from the minors early last season, due to the inconsistent play of former first-round draft pick Michael McCarron. Froese was the Canadiens’ fourth-line centre, splitting time there with Jacob de la Rose. But it wasn’t until Daniel Carr provided some spark to the line — one that also consisted of Nicolas Deslauriers — that it enjoyed a modicum of success. It also was no secret Montreal was weak at centre. Froese could see the writing on the wall when he reported to camp two months ago. He wasn’t playing on one of the top four lines and sometimes had to change positions. He’s not certain whether he would have remained with Montreal had the organization not retained 18-year-old Finnish rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi, but Froese was placed on waivers in late September. “Obviously I was disappointed,” he said. “Nobody’s goal’s to be in Laval. Everybody’s goal here, as it should be, is to be in the NHL. And that’s still my goal.” The silver lining, if any, has come from Froese being named Rocket captain a second consecutive season. But unlike last year, when the vote was conducted by the players, this time he was appointed by new head coach Joël Bouchard and his assistants. Bouchard made it clear there was no correlation between the two. “I looked at him the whole training camp, the way he behaves off the ice, in practice, in games. The way he speaks to his teammates and handles himself off the ice,” Bouchard explained. “He’s a veteran, but he’s passionate about the game and very invested. He’s respected by his teammates and quite smart; you can have a conversation with him. “He’s not captain because he’s not going back to the NHL,” Bouchard quickly added. “At the moment, he’s the right guy we want and like.” At his best, the 6-foot-1, 202-pounder can provide an energy shift with his hard work and determination. But like many players who have languished in the minors, something was missing — be it speed or offensive production. Froese has had his moments. After producing 42 points in 46 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, the Leafs signed him. But in 56 games as a fourth-line centre, he scored only twice. Back in the minors for the majority of 2016-17, Froese scored 24 goals and registered 39 points before being traded to Tampa Bay for Brian Boyle and a second-round pick. Froese played only four NHL games for the Lightning, but its Syracuse farm team went deep into the playoffs. Bouchard said there have been no problems with Froese’s attitude. “The NHL is a tough league. It’s timing sometimes, position, contract. Sometimes the style of play can play in the mix,” Bouchard said. “He definitely has a well-rounded game and can play in any situation. “He’s my Swiss Army knife. He can play the wing, centre, on the power-play and kill penalties. He understands systems, has a great work ethic and is a good player. Sometimes a team needs something else.” Being named captain, Froese said, is the biggest challenge of his career. As a veteran on the Rocket, he believes it’s imperative to lead by example, instilling some basic tenets in younger, more easily influenced players. Froese wants them to work hard and understand that just because they’re in the minors, it’s not a lifetime gulag they’ve being dispatched to. Froese has three goals and six points through 12 games this season. And even if Laval is the closest he gets to the Bell Centre, he hopes to provide some pride and winning attitude for a team that missed the AHL playoffs. In the last year of his contract, Froese must also contemplate the future. “That’s on my mind quite a bit,” he said. “That’s what makes this leadership opportunity more important. A winning team’s the best thing for a contract year. Everybody wants a winner.” Meanwhile, although McCarron suffered an upper-body injury recently and missed the last game, he was on the ice Tuesday and accompanied the Rocket on its road trip. Nikita Scherbak, sent down recently for a conditioning stint, is recovering from an illness.