Bucky vs. Brossoit, goaltenders’ duel

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This article was published 17/04/2023 (923 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LAS VEGAS — It’s not just a trip to the second round of the playoffs that’s at stake when the Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights face off.

No, bragging rights between a pair of long-time buddies will also be on the line.

“Whoever wins this series, the other isn’t going to hear the end of it,” Vegas starting goaltender Laurent Brossoit told the Free Press on Monday following his team’s practice.

That friendly salvo was directed towards Winnipeg’s No. 1 netminder Connor Hellebuyck, who served as a mentor to Brossoit when they were Jets teammates for three seasons between 2018 and 2021.

The two men share the same off-season trainer (Adam Francilia), the same agent (Steinbach’s Ray Petkau) and a similar sense of humour, as evident by Hellebuyck suggesting he was going to send Brossoit a text message saying “I’m coming for him.”

“I watched a lot while I was there, so I got to pick his game apart and use what I thought was good,” said Brossoit. “So yeah, he influenced me in a positive way, now it’s time to use it against him.”

Touche!

Hellebuyck standing in Winnipeg’s crease is no surprise, as the 2019-20 Vezina Trophy winner is one of the best in the world at his craft, coming off another stellar season. Brossoit getting the starting assignment is a bit of an unexpected development, considering the career backup was sent to the American Hockey League for a 23-game stretch earlier this year.

“You don’t want to reflect too soon, but it’s definitely a time when you’re down in the minors where you start to question how many more opportunities you might get in the NHL,” Brossoit admitted.

“Whether that was realistic or not, it’s something that creeps in and you kind of have to fight against. Focus on the process, rather than the results at the time, and here we are.”

Injuries to Logan Thompson and Adin Hill opened the door, and Brossoit burst through it with a sizzling run of hockey which includes a 7-0-3 record, 2.17 goals-against-average and .927 save percentage.

“Every time I talked to (AHL staff) things were going well, he was very good for the other young goalies down there,” said Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy.

“Got his game in order, worked hard, good leadership skills with how he prepares to play. Comes up here, plays really well. I think he’s a terrific pro, he’s been an excellent goalie for us.”

With Thompson and Hill now back to full health, and trade deadline acquisition Jonathan Quick also in the fold, it’s quite the crowded crease for the Golden Knights. Brossoit will get the first chance to, as his coach puts it, “run with the ball.”

“I’m excited. There’s a lot of emotions obviously when stakes are this high,” said the 30-year-old British Columbia product.

“A lot of excitement, a lot of nerves. That usually turns into adrenaline by the time the game starts. And then obviously these storylines mixed in makes it a lot more fun.”

Brossoit said he’s a different goaltender over the past year, which he credits to offseason hip surgery last year that has now left him more flexible. Although it delayed his start to this year, and played a role in getting dispatched to the minors, it’s made him better than ever.

“It’s very exciting to finally be able to regain that mobility and use it in the tool box,” he said.

Brossoit has always kept tabs on Hellebuyck and other former teammates with the Jets, and wasn’t surprised to see his former job-share partner leading the team into the playoffs, including a stretch of 13 straight starts.

“That was my biggest frustration is how much he wanted to play when I was there,” said Brossoit.

“He wants the net. He’s a competitor. Hopefully we can take the fact he has played a lot to our advantage and be able to step up on the gas and hem them in and maybe by the end of the series that will come into play.”

Having so many other masked men now looking over his shoulder likely adds some additional pressure, but Brossoit is just focusing on what he can control.

“When you’re competing against that many good goalies, if anything it either breaks you or it motivates you. And I think for all of us it motivates us. It just lights a bit of a fire under you, and I think that’s a good thing,” he said.

Veteran Quick, who has been through plenty of playoff battles including a pair of Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014, has been a calming influence throughout.

“It’s very cool. I’ve already, as much as I can, picked Quicky’s brain,” said Brossoit.

“He’s got a lot to offer, on and off the ice. You watch him, you take things in from his game. He’s so athletic. He’s been good, a true teammate helping me.”

So who are the mutual friends of Brossoit and Hellebuyck cheering for?

“I’m sure on their end they think of it as a win-win to have two guys playing meaningful games,” said Brossoit.

“It makes it that much more exciting, probably that much more nerve-wracking for them. It just adds another element, it should be fun.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg