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Comet Tales: Behind Enemy Lines with Bruno Gervais

March 21, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


After 10-years in professional hockey, and participating in 418 NHL games, Adirondack Phantoms defenseman Bruno Gervais is back in the American Hockey League.

Playing in Glens Falls (NY) this season wasn't Gervais' first choice. Having signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 4, 2012, Gervais was a happy man. Stability for professional athletes is sought after almost as much as financial terms are.

Knowing where and for whom he would be skating with for two seasons brought a sense of relief to Gervais. Of course, as hockey players learned all to well last season due to a lengthy lockout, plan B's were set into action. Before he would take one warm-up shot on net in Philly's Wells Fargo Center, Gervais would need to brush up on his German.

"I was involved with a team made up of NHL players, and we were putting on games all around Quebec for charity," Gervais said. "Jonathan Bernier told me that he was going to play in Germany and suggested I go to. Next thing you know, I made the move."

Bernier, of Laval, Quebec and currently the top goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs, teamed up with Gervais as members of the Heilbronn Falcons of the European Non-Elite hockey league. Where others may have grimaced at the thought of traveling great distances by bus to opposing teams, not Gervais. The former sixth round selection of the New York Islanders in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft saw his nine game stint as a Falcon as a long-distance adventure.

"I like traveling. Seeing a new country, mixing with a different culture, brushing up on my German, I had a great time. The whole visit lasted two weeks, and we got to play in the Spengler Cup tournament in Switzerland," says Gervais, as he was running errands near his temporary residence in Saratoga Springs (NY).

The 20-minute drive to and from the Phantoms home rink at 1 Civic Center Plaza in downtown Glens Falls each day seems to have long been accepted by Gervais, since clearing waivers late last September. Given the Flyers' salary cap issues, and being overstocked with defensemen, Gervais was dispatched to the Phantoms. He has yet to play in an NHL contest this season. 58 games into this season, and counting, coming to Utica on Friday, you would never know if there were frustration on Gervais' part about not being a Flyer.

The native of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec (same hometown of Martin Brodeur) projects seeing his career as a glass half-full. "This is the closest that I have played professionally to home. My friends and family have visited me in Saratoga Springs. Glens Falls reminds me of being back home," Gervais tells. "The snow and cold, and outdoors are so similar."

When asked how he will be preparing for next season and possible free-agency, Gervais prefers not to think that far down the hockey road. "I'll deal with that when the time comes. Right now there are still games to be played."

Gervais has a clear understanding what is expected of professional athletes. Negotiations and training could be demanding, however, it's clear from his perspective that his wife and young son are what keeps him grounded. Also, Gervais' childhood friend since they were 10-years-old Max Talbot of the Colorado Avalanche, also has a calming effect for him.

"We have a charitable golf tournament going for six years and a lot of other projects going on. We train together in the summer. Last year, with us both being with the Flyers, that was alot of fun," Gervais recalls.

Having played for parts of six NHL campaigns with the New York Islanders, Gervais quickly states that he enjoyed his time on Long Island and still has many friends there. However, he seems equally enthused to speak of his one season (2011-12), after leaving the Islanders, with the Tampa Bay Lightning. "Tampa presented a new challenge. Playing with Marty St.Louis, Steve Stamkos, and Vinny Lecavalier was really good. Plus, going to the rink in shorts and flip-flops was a plus," Gervais who skated in 37 games last season for the Flyers, remembers.

When Stamkos netted 60 goals for the Lightning, Gervais experienced all the excitement up close. "He's (Stamkos) a phenom; so smart on the ice, and has a tremendous shot," Gervais explains. "Steve works so hard on his shot. He's so much like St. Louis - a workhorse."

Heavily influenced by the veteran St. Louis, Gervais thinks back to a dinner in which he shared in a Tampa area restaurant with Stamkos and St. Louis. "When they sit down, Steve and Marty look the same size. But, when Steve stood up, he seemed so much taller. Steve is all legs."

Once arriving in Glens Falls to meet his new teammates last Fall, Gervais tells of meeting with Phantoms coach Terry Murray about his new surroundings. Gervais recalls his coach checking in with him to make sure everything was good, and to check his state of mind in returning to the AHL.

Clearly, Gervais continues to make the best of his situation and remain a positive role model for his teammates. Number 37 on the Adirondack roster has earned being number one in the hearts of the team's fans all season long.


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