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AHL Utica Comets

Comet Tales: Behind Enemy Lines with PL3

March 7, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond is one happy hockey player. After speaking with him for 15-minutes this past Wednesday, I'm sure of it.

When I was thinking of who on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins roster would make for an interesting conversation, there were no second place finishers to Letourneau-Leblond. With 17 letters making up his notably lengthy and hyphenated name (twice), making the call to the baby Pens' director of broadcasting and media relations (Mike O'Brien) to set up a conversation was a no-brainer.

I'm thinking, how does a child skating for his first organized hockey team have a name as large as Pierre-Luc's, who also answers to "PL3"" for short, last name get squeezed on the back of a jersey? "As a kid, my name went from elbow to elbow," Pierre-Luc chuckles. "Maybe 20-years back in Quebec, it was a big thing to take both your parents last names. Not so much anymore. Leblond is my dad's name, and Letourneau is my mom's."

Although spending last off-season in New York's Capital District, where "PL3"" met hit wife, the proud veteran forward of 41 NHL games, predicts a relaxing summer in his hometown, on the outskirts of Quebec City. When I inform Pierre-Luc that I have spent a couple summers in Quebec City, he solicits my opinion of his home area. Levis, Quebec,with a population of 140,000 people in eastern Quebec, just 12 miles from where the Nordiques were hockey kings for 24 seasons in two professional leagues, is where "PL3"" is from.

"Quebec is a great town in the summer. You cross the bridge there (Quebec City) and in five miles is where I'm from. The people there try hard to make you feel comfortable. I was married last summer, and this year we will go back to my hometown."

Our conversation takes place while Pierre-Luc has just left WBS Pens practice. He is driving, and from the pace that I bring up topics, and he is answering, the former New Jersey Devils draft pick appears to enjoy going down memory lane. After playing two years on the juniors level in the QMJHL, I remind "PL3"" of his first professional team he donned a uniform with - the Adirondack Frostbite in the UHL.

Calling the Glens Falls Civic Center home, the same building where the AHL's Phantoms occupy, "PL3"" recalls his coach at the time, Barry Melrose, albeit for a couple of weeks. "Barry was my coach for two weeks, I think for five games," says "PL3"", who has played for a half dozen AHL franchises since the 2005-06 season. "The league was awesome but the travel was rough."

Pierre-Luc's stay on the UHL level came to a halt and redirected to New Jersey's AHL affiliate at the time in nearby Albany - the River Rats. "PL3"" believes the reason for his promotion so quickly was due to the River Rat's enforcer Cam Jansen being called up to the Devils. With more than 1,200 career AHL penalty minutes racked up, including 206 PIM thus far this season, "PL3"" knew what was expected of him when joining Albany.

"I was called up because I'm a tough kid. (former Utica Devils coach) Robbie Ftorek was my coach then. After that season, New Jersey signed me to a three-year contract," Pierre-Luc recalls.

Having played in one game this season with Pittsburgh, and a handful with Calgary two seasons ago, when pressed for the team who he most identifies with, "PL3"" doesn't hesitate to say New Jersey. He attributes the Devils organization for making him who he he is. "The Devils reputation is as good as the organization. They take care of their people. They made me a better person. I really enjoyed my time with them," Pierre-Luc explains.

Riding through Pennsylvania, I switch the theme of our conversation to the present time. Preparing for the Comets on Friday in Utica, I wonder what motivates "PL3"" to keep himself doing whatever it is his teammates and coach John Hynes, and the entire Pittsburgh organization require, to hopefully return to the NHL.

"I want to be with the best team in the world - the Pittsburgh Penguins. To be in the NHL. They (Penguins) offered me a legitimate chance to make the team in Pittsburgh," Pierre-Luc offers.

"PL3"", 28, tells that he enjoys hanging out with the "boys", going out for dinner with teammates, and playing cards. With a smile and a laugh in nearly every sentence he speaks, Pierre-Luc makes a strong case for being one of the really good guys in hockey, off the ice, that is.

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