Guindon living out hockey dream with Rocket

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It’s unlikely anyone aspires to play in the AHL, but goaltender Louis-Philip Guindon won’t complain.

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After all, the McGill University graduate was toiling in the mid-level ECHL, almost an afterthought with the Wheeling Nailers and earning US$600 per week when the Laval Rocket signed him to a professional tryout contract on Dec. 30.

The Rocket required some depth in net following the departures of Cayden Primeau and Michael McNiven to the Canadiens. Although the Nailers are Pittsburgh’s affiliate, Guindon didn’t have an AHL contract, making him a free agent. And he had appeared in only four games this season. He’s one of two Laval goalies, along with Kevin Poulin.

With degrees in science along with a master’s in exercise physiology, the 26-year-old from St-Joseph-du-Lac could have found better, and more lucrative, ways to spend his time. But he didn’t want to look back forlornly in 20 years while contemplating what might have been.

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“Because you dream about this moment your whole life, although I ask myself this question, too,” Guindon candidly admitted to the Montreal Gazette following Monday’s practice at Place Bell. “Going to McGill (for a francophone) was a big decision, just like doing my (degrees). But I never considered not going pro. And when the opportunity occurred, I figured this would be the only time I could do it and I might as well try.

“I was thinking about my future,” he added. “What happens when I’m 45, have my family for dinner? Would I regret not going pro? At least (this way) I tried. Whether it’s for one season or three seasons, I went to play pro hockey. That was the thing. I don’t know how many years I might play, but it’s a blast right now.”

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After a month of practising — but not playing — with Laval, Guindon made his AHL debut on Friday in the third period of the Rocket’s 6-1 loss at Texas while saving all nine shots he faced.

That performance was good enough for Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle to give Guindon his first AHL start the following night against the same team. The 6-foot-1, 181-pounder stopped 26 shots in a 3-2 victory and was at his best in the third period, when the visitors were outshot 12-1 and he allowed only one goal.

Guindon was presented the game puck. He has a 1.63 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage.

After the game, Houle said the rookie made the key saves and had earned the opportunity. And with the Rocket preparing for Wednesday and Friday games at Utica, followed by a stop in Belleville on Saturday, Guindon can anticipate another start.

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“I thought he wasn’t nervous,” Houle said Monday. “Usually a younger goalie, his first game in the AHL, can feel the butterflies or mishandles the puck. He was excellent. He controlled his emotions and played the puck really well as a first-time goalie. And the players played confidently in front of him.

“Everybody knows, as a backup goalie, sometimes it’s tough just to practise. He came from the ECHL, not knowing if he was going to play. But he deserved that game. He was doing well in practices. It’s always a nice story when you see guys come up and contribute to the team.”

Guindon said getting his feet wet, if only for 20 minutes, on Friday eased the burden he might have faced. He said he never realized how badly Laval was being outshot in the third period on Saturday and was just focused on making the next save.

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While he called the Nailers organization “very professional” given their ties to the Penguins, Guindon also rarely played in front of more than 2,000 spectators at home. He said the biggest thing he needs to work on in the AHL is anticipating the play.

“It’s more about finding the pucks early,” he explained. “If I don’t, I’m going to be behind the play. In the ECHL, sometimes I feel I can be behind the play and it wouldn’t have an impact. Here, my margin of error is very (thin). I need to always be ahead of the play. That’s what I’ve been working on.”

Guindon spent four seasons in the QMJHL, playing for Drummondville and Rimouski while producing 15 shutouts, before continuing on to McGill, where he played another five seasons. He went 56-29 in 87 games, was named the team’s most valuable player twice and was a two-time league all-star. Guindon was also named the OUA’s East Division outstanding goaltender twice.

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He turned pro in 2020 with Fort Wayne of the ECHL before moving to Wheeling.

Given how unpredictable his career has been, Guindon is loath to gaze too far into the future.

“I’m not a genie,” he said, laughing. “It’s a day-to-day thing. We’re playing pro hockey and COVID ‘s out there. Looking at the future, I think (Tuesday) will be a great day. I’ll go to the rink, we’re leaving (for Utica) at 12, I think. And I’ll have a nice practice.”

Meanwhile, defenceman Josh Brook, who has yet to play this season following knee surgery, appears close to returning. He was the Canadiens’ second-round (56th overall) draft choice in 2017.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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