AHL Utica Comets

Comet Tales: Pascal Pelletier's Journey to Utica

January 1, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


Pascal Pelletier, so far, is having a stellar season in Utica.

At the Christmas break, Pelletier leads the Comets in offense, tallying 21 points (5 goals 16 points).  Through 23 games of ice time, the center from Labrador City, New Foundland has quickly become not only a fan favorite, but a player that can be counted on to make things happen at anytime.

Getting to the Mohawk Valley, playing for coach Travis Green, and making a return to the American Hockey League after a five year hiatus for Pelletier, has been an incredible journey.  For the past three seasons, the popular Comet wearing jersey number 23, has honed his career in Switzerland.  Pelletier suited up for the  Langnau Tigers of the Swiss-A League. Participating in European Elite hockey, as opposed to skating in North America, was by choice.

"It (Switzerland) was a great experience.  Hockey there is at a high level, and the pace is fast,'" says Pelletier, who called Buffalo Sabres' Tyler Ennis his teammate, during last season's NHL lockout.  "By playing in North America and Switzerland, I have become a better player."

Having last seen American Hockey League action as a member of the Peoria Rivermen during the 2009-10 season, then a St. Louis Blues affiliate, Pelletier tells of not being far removed from NHL happenings.  Watching many NHL games on TV while in Europe, Pelletier confides that taking his game to the Langnau was mostly a business decision on his part.

Business is what also weighed heavily on Pelletier and his growing family's return to North America, for the 2013-14 AHL campaign.  With his contract ending with the Tigers, it was important for Pelletier to return to Quebec City, the hometown of his then pregnant wife.  Making their off-season home in the city that once housed the Quebec Nordiques NHL franchise,  the Pelletier's wanted for their baby to be born in the familiar surroundings of Quebec City.

At the same time in adjusting to family matters, Pascal was making important professional decisions.  "The market was slow in Switzerland.  Coming back to Quebec was the best of both worlds for us", Pelletier said.  In getting off topic of his own quest for a return to NHL ice this season, when pressed for his feelings on if he sees a return of the Nordiques or another franchise  in Quebec City, Pelletier has a definite opinion.

"Absolutely.  They have started to build a new arena.  The fans deserve a team".

Earlier this season, Pelletier was recalled by the Vancouver Canucks from Utica and saw action in one game.  That NHL skate for Pelletier was his fifteenth of his career.  Back during the 2007-'08 season Pelletier skated in six games as a Boston Bruin, and the following season, 2008-'09 there were seven games played as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.  So, after six years, how did it feel for Pelletier to be back in the NHL?

"It was a weird feeling.  My wife and baby boy were in Utica for just two days, when I got the call for Vancouver.  They were overwhelmed.  I had to pack and left in the middle of the night", explains Pelletier, who spoke with current Canuck and Rome, NY native Tom Sestito during his brief stay with Vancouver.  During the 2009-10 AHL season, both Sestito and Pelletier were members of the Syracuse Crunch.

As for the Comets' slow start of the season and current four -game home winning streak, Pelletier  is taking a relaxed approach to all that the team  experiences.  "When you're not winning, it's hard to feel satisfied.  When you're winning, that's not bad either,"Pelletier states.

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