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AHL Utica Comets

Comet Tales: Mathieu Corbeil

January 20, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


For now, Mathieu Corbeil (pronounced cor-BAY) calls a room in The Hotel Utica home. However, this could change at anytime; as a result of a phone call or a simple invitation into the coach's office. Such is the life of a goalie chasing his dream to the National Hockey League.

The route of pursuing his dream to the NHL, more precisely the Pacific Northwest and Vancouver Canucks, already this season has Corbeil, 22, packing light. Vulnerable and at the same time benefiting from fellow netminders call-ups and injuries, so far for the 2013-14 hockey season, Corbeil has seen action in a combined fifteen games. He has seen action in three leagues (AHL, ECHL, CHL), with 684 minutes of ice time to make his case, there's a future for him within the Canucks organization.

Armed with his work tools; mask, pads, stick, and skates, Corbeil for the most part travels with little else. "Half of my stuff is in Wheeling (WV). That is my base for now. Even last year, when I got called up to Chicago (then Vancouver's AHL affiliate) for three weeks, Missouri was it (my base)," says Corbeil, who made his AHL debut in Cedar Park, Texas two weeks ago, coming in in relief of Joe Cannata.

At times feeling alone and having a sense of temporary occupancy with teams, Corbeil, who hails from Montreal, a region known for producing some of the greatest goalies the game has ever had, past and present, has become masterful at being patient. During our telephone conversation the night before he was to start at The AUD against the Albany Devils, his first at home, Corbeil joked about his living out of a suitcase. " Last year when I was in Missouri (CHL's Mavericks), I was up and down so much, with my time in Chicago, I was given an award for the most flight miles gained."

Sounding far more mature and understanding of his role in the game than his age would suggest, Corbeil likes being in Utica, and makes it known that he wants to stay in the Mohawk Valley for the foreseeable future. There is an air of comfortability for the fourth round pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2010 NHL entry draft. In being around many of the current Comets last season in Chicago, along with participating in training camp this past fall with Vancouver, Corbeil feels welcomed in Utica.

Whatever team Corbeil gets assigned to, he tells of having experienced smooth transitions. "Not much changes off the ice. Hockey players are easy going. You work hard on the ice then enjoy time with your teammates,"Corbeil tells.

Seeing ice time in parts of three Comets games, already Corbeil is ahead of any previous professional season, in progressing to his highest level of competition yet. This could make up for the disappointment felt with his shuttling from Missouri to Chicago, and not getting in an AHL game. "I sat on the bench (in Chicago), it was horrible for me," Corbeil confesses. "I practiced and didn't get into any games."

All the hope, travel, and frustration of waiting for an opportunity to prove his roster space, a sense of fulfillment was realized in Cedar Park on January 11. Corbeil recalls vividly getting the nod from coach Travis Green to enter the game against the Stars. This was the time he had waited for, since last season with the Wolves. He tells of being equally nervous and excited for the chance to prove to himself and the organization of his game-ready worth.

Although the Comets came out on the short-end of the 5-3 match, Corbeil's individual performance was impressive enough to warrant a starting assignment, the following game in San Antonio. "Everyone knows that my best attribute is that I work extremely hard. Travis knows, first hand, how hard I work. I knew that I was ready," Corbeil states.

In keeping his thoughts on the Comets road trip to Texas and Oklahoma City, Corbeil differentiates for him, from being an active participant in a game as opposed to being a spectator on the bench. "You know what to work on, and you have a different vibe for the game." Coach Green waited until after the morning skate to inform Mathieu that he would be starting against the Rampage. "He probably didn't want me to over think the game to much," Corbeil surmised.

As for why the Blue Jackets didn't sign Corbeil, it's a guessing game at best. Having racked up a very respectful 50-11-2 record with the Saint John Sea Dogs (New Brunswick) of the QMJHL for a season and a half, Corbeil thinks that perhaps his less than stellar performance in the Memorial Cup tournament in 2012 had something to do with Columbus cooling on him. "It was a bummer. I knew that I have the size and was athletic to play. That summer I worked hard, and was signed by Chicago (Wolves)," Corbeil remembers.

However, there is one Corbeil-Columbus connection that may not show up in a game sheet or in record books. At the start of the 2011-12 QMJHL season, after being drafted by Columbus, and starting the campaign as a member of the Saint John Sea Dogs, Corbeil was added to the NHL club's roster on an emergency recall. He dressed behind starting goaltender Steve Mason, for a home game against the visiting Dallas Stars.

For now, from his room for one in The Hotel Utica, a quick walk to The AUD, Corbeil possesses only his essentials, while working to make a permanent impression with Comets hockey operations personnel. Airports, auditoriums, and check-out times, these are the solitude of a hockey goalie traveling the road of their dream - currently  in Utica. Mathieu Corbeil seems fine with that, as hope isn't realized without overcoming obstacles.

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