This summer, Alex Belzile signed a very interesting two-year contract with the New York Rangers with the full intention of securing a place in the National Hockey League (NHL) as quickly as possible.
The former Laval Rocket captain’s new contract is only for the 2024-2025 season, demonstrating the Blueshirts’ confidence in him. At 32, Belzile is a late bloomer and has proven his skills in his stints with the Montreal Canadiens.
“To change organizations after five very pleasant years in Montreal is a big change, but I think it’s for the best,” the never-introduced forward recalled in a press conference on Tuesday.
The right winger is trying to impress the management and has to pass ahead of other experienced players such as Jonny Brodzinski, Riley Nash, Anton Blidh and Jake Leschyshyn or even young talents such as Brennan Othmann.
“It’s been pretty fun so far. Moving to a new organization is pretty exciting, Belzile admitted. In every training camp you have to try to prove that you are an NHL player. I do my best and work hard.”
Things didn’t go quite as planned in the Quebecers’ first preseason game against the Rangers. They lost 3-0 to the Boston Bruins and Belzile only fired a single shot into the opposing net.
“These preseason games are to work on systems and new things that the coaching staff is asking you to do. The longer the training camp lasts, the more comfortable you feel, and that’s what I expect after my first game,” said the Rivière-du-Loup native.
In his career on the Bettman circuit, Belzile collected 15 points in 44 games. With all the CH injuries last year, he had a great opportunity to showcase himself, playing 31 games and picking up 14 points.