USHL: QA with Jason Gregoire

New York Islanders prospect, left-winger Jason Gregoire, has picked up in 2007-08 where he left off last season, averaging over a point-per-game with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League. The 2007 third-round pick overcame an ankle problem that nearly ended his career in 2006 and he has established himself as a player who takes pride in his two-way play and being a leader. McKeen's recently had the opportunity to talk with Gregoire, who discusses his career-threatening ankle injury, going the collegiate route, committing to the University of North Dakota, being drafted by the Islanders, and a couple of top prospects he's played with or against.

McKeen's: I know you missed the games on Dec.14 and 15 due to a death in the family, but you also had some sort of issue coming back across the border. Tell me a bit about that.

Gregoire: There were just some problems, a mix up with some paperwork and what not. I mean, I'm not going to get into the technical garbage, but I'm back and couldn't be happier to be back, and obviously had a little bit of impact today, had an assist. So, it's good to see how your team needs you and stuff, so I'm happy.

McKeen's: That was a nice play to catch Newton circling back toward the net. It worked very well, and he scored glove side (against the Des Moines Buccaneers in a 4-1 victory December 29).

Gregoire: I don't know what he was doing in the corner like that, but he's an offensive defenseman and he got two goals tonight. That's exactly what we need, guys to start picking it up. It's good to see. I like him a lot.

McKeen's: You missed half of last season due to the ankle problems and the surgeries. How does it feel to be healthy this season?

Gregoire: Well, after the injury… (pauses), man, I almost lost my foot, it was that serious. So, I've still got a pretty good scar to show for it. I just worked really hard, ride the bike, and whatnot, so that pulled groins and stuff aren't a factor for me. I've just been working hard all year long and certainly, I don't want to miss 30 games, or whatever I missed last year. I'm the captain, I've got to contribute, and you can't do that from the stands. Right? So, I'm trying to stay healthy for my team.

McKeen's: Tell me a bit about both the injury and the surgeries and what happened.

Gregoire: As far as I know, and a lot of doctors didn't even know what it was, but I got an ingrown hair or something and that kind of made it swell up and then rubbing on my skates caused a cyst in my ankle. The rubbing got worse, the skin broke, and it just got really ugly. So, it was surgery time. I played the first two games last year, had surgery, and like every other teenager, wanted to just get back on the ice and did it too soon, and it broke open again, and that put me out for, whatever, the next the 30 games. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, because I got drafted and things are going pretty well. It put me out 30 games; I had to have a skin graft, finally got back playing and had a decent year. I hope to do as well this year if not better.

McKeen's: Tell me a bit more about that because, even with that, you averaged over a point per game coming off that. What were some of the things that helped you rebound and do so well?

Gregoire: Well, I mean being able to watch the league, it was my first year in the league, and sitting out that many games, watch it, see the kind of tendencies of different guys and other teams and how the game is, it's a lot different than back home. So, that helped me out quite a bit. I was kind of like a scout out there, watching how to play the game, and I finally thought I had a good grasp and how it'd feel. So, I came back and did pretty well.

McKeen's: Kind of one of those things where you get to sit back, watch, and pick up the interesting tidbits that different players do and perhaps add it to your repertoire.

Gregoire: Well, it's so easy to say, "Why didn't he do this? Why didn't he do that?" from the stands, but on the ice it's a lot tougher. Everyone at some point should either watch video or watch a game from the stands and isolate the problems and fix them. It'll make them a better hockey player.

McKeen's: You touched on this a bit, but tell me about the differences between the United States Hockey League and the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Gregoire: It's definitely a step up, caliber wise. I mean, the "MJ"… there's some good commitments coming out of there, but USHL, half the team goes to a college every year. It's the Tier I junior league in the United States. It's unbelievable. The "MJ" definitely helped me get here, but this helped me get to UND and hopefully UND helps me get to the next level. It's another stepping-stone in the ladder of hockey.

McKeen's: Obviously, as a Canadian hockey player of your caliber, the option of major juniors was open to you. What made you decide to go the Tier II/Tier I/college route?

Gregoire: Well, I was drafted by Calgary [Hitmen, of the Western Hockey League] when I was 16, and at that point you don't know what college hockey is in Canada. Luckily for me, my dad did, and just kind of told me to just wait out, play your options, and started playing the "MJ" and started talking to colleges, started talking to more, and I just saw that was definitely the lifestyle for me. It gives you two or three extra years to mature and I need that as a player, as a kid. I need to mature physically, mentally, and as a hockey player, too. So, I need those extra years and that's basically what sold it.

McKeen's: What are some of the things you are looking to improve upon, that either Lincoln wants you to work on, or UND, or even the Islanders?

Gregoire: There is no doubt that in the game of hockey, it's getting to be a faster game, less clutch and grab. That's the biggest thing. You've got to be quick. Your footwork has just got to be bang, bang, bang. It's not how fast you can get end to end – it's blueline to redline kind of drill, the short races to the puck. That's one thing that we focus on quite a bit, running ladders, working out, and what not. Speed, quickness, and my shot... (pauses), I looked up to Ryan Duncan of UND, and he's just got a bomb of a shot. He's an NHL-caliber player and that's what I want to be in the next couple years.

McKeen's: On the flipside, what do you feel are some of your strengths already?

Gregoire: I'd say protecting the puck is one of my biggest things. I'm very good at that, but on the defensive side, I think I had eight blocked shots tonight. I mean, I'm a good defensive forward but also contribute on the offensive side. I see the ice very well and can move the puck. I think those are my strengths and I take pride in that.

McKeen's: You are among the scoring leaders in the USHL, hovering around the top 10. Tell me about your season overall.

Gregoire: You could be the leading goal scorer and not be happy with your season, right? So, obviously you look back on certain chances and say, "Man, if I would have buried about five or half my chances, man I'd just be up there." But, every kid could say that. I've just got to bear down on chances. As far as the team goes, we're just coming together and a game like this really helps us do that. I think a couple more wins like this on the road and at home will really bring us together and be a Clark Cup-potential team.

McKeen's: Tell me about being drafted by the Islanders and how you found out.

Gregoire: I was watching at home, I actually had to buy the NHL package to watch the second through seventh round. If it were up to me, I mean, I wanted to watch it, but I could have been fishing or whatever. But, I was at home watching with a couple buddies and my mom, my dad was golfing, but I didn't see it on TV first, I got the call first, unfortunately. I would have liked to see the name come up, but I got the call from Garth Snow of the Islanders, saying congratulations and talked about the camp and it was just, whoa. I tried to hide it from my mom, but I was grinning from ear to ear and she knew exactly what it was. I just came back and she was maybe happier than I was and just got on the phone and called my dad, and he'd already heard from about four other people, so I wasn't the first one to tell him.

McKeen's: It got around pretty quick. I read that the Islanders talked to you before the draft and so did the Devils and then the Canadiens. What are some of the things that they asked you and told you?

Gregoire: One big thing was my ankle. They all asked if that was all right. Obviously, it is all right, the Islanders thought that, they got MRI records and stuff. They really dug into that. I don't blame them. You don't want to draft a kid who's done for life. But, it was things like that, I did some testing, and they asked me about strengths and weaknesses, same deal, just another guy, asking a kid about hockey. They take it very seriously; obviously, it's their job to find the right kid who's going to mature into an NHL prospect.

McKeen's: I saw on the Islanders website over the summer, they had the videos of the developmental camp and such. Tell me a bit about that and how it gave you an edge and what you learned there.

Gregoire: I was playing against players like Kyle Okposo, Rhett Rakhshani, some other guys, Blake Comeau, who's actually called up with the Islanders, and [Jeff] Tambellini and guys, and it was good to see that. I mean, I wasn't too far behind them. I went in there with the mentality to just have fun, "you're not making the team," and I had a good camp, did well, and could compare myself to these top-end players, and I did really well. I had a blast, we got to a Yankees game, and it was fun.

McKeen's: You mentioned this a bit, but who were some of the fellow prospects that really impressed you there and why?

Gregoire: Okposo and Tambellini and Comeau were probably the standouts. I mean, Okposo is just a thick guy, speed, shot, he's got it all. He actually de-committed from Minnesota. I'm not sure where he's going, but I hope he finds somewhere good, because he's a good player. Tambellini is probably one of the fastest guys, just tree trunks for legs, the most dedicated guy I've seen, along with his hands and his shot. It's unbelievable. It's guys like that that you look up to and try to work toward to be just like them.

McKeen's: The Islanders have not been shy lately about drafting players from the USHL, drafting Okposo, yourself, Shane Sims, and Blake Kessel. What does that tell you?

Gregoire: It tells me that the USHL is one helluva a hockey league. It really develops some great players to college and NHL scouts see that. I mean, hopefully the USHL keeps getting better and more draft picks come out of there, because it's great for the league, great for the coaches, and the teams. It's just promoting it, every draft pick promoting it a little more.

McKeen's: What are you initial impressions of the Islanders organization?

Gregoire: They seem great. They were great to us. Unfortunately, for me, going to NCAA, they couldn't buy me anything. But, I met with the owner and stuff and he seemed very nice. I don't remember if I got to talk with the head coach or not, but it was definitely a positive experience. I was impressed and want to be a part of it.

McKeen's: As we have discussed, you are going the NCAA route, tell me about committing to UND, but also kind of de-committing from Denver.

Gregoire: Well, I mean, what really sold me, combining both of your questions, I suppose, is UND is two hours, door-to-door, from my house. It's probably the greatest coaching staff in college hockey, I believe. They're just so professional and up front with you. We get along really well, we have a good relationship. Academics are not a problem, obviously, they're good there, and you can compare "The Ralph" to any arena. I mean, come on, the hockey program is second to none. It's just unbelievable. And the guys there, like [Jonathan] Toews, and [T.J.] Oshie, and Duncan, and those guys… when I went there, they just made it feel like home.

McKeen's: Speaking of Toews, I noticed on the USHL's website earlier this year that you mentioned Toews as the best player that you have played against. Tell me about your impressions of Jonathan Toews.

Gregoire: Well, when I played against him (pauses)… I just wanted to push it, because we have played against each other, but that was probably between 8 or 12. I was younger. All I remember was, in overtime he just dangled and sniped bar down. That's exactly what he is – he's just a dangler, just an unbelievable hockey player. Just look at his stats that he's putting in the NHL. That's a kid you're like, "Man, he's from Winnipeg!"

McKeen's: I noticed you also gave some props to former Lincoln Star Colby Cohen. Tell me a bit about his game.

Gregoire: Colby Cohen, we became buddies when we came here to Lincoln last year. He's a solid d-man. He can find that open man like no one else and he's got a bomb on the point. I bet you he scored more powerplay goals than anyone. I give him a lot of props. He's doing well in BU. I think he's actually hurt now, we talk quite often, but he's a solid d-man and just like Colorado (Avalanche), I'd expect to see him there someday.

McKeen's: I guess, lastly, I saw that Steve Yzerman is your favorite player. Tell me a bit about why "Stevie Y"?

Gregoire: Why "Stevie Y"? Well, I mean, he's like the longest captain of any team, or whatever. He's just a class act guy. Obviously, I've never met him, but a class act guy on and off the ice, some of the most beautiful goals, softest hands, and that's kind of what I look up to be. If I could be like Steve Yzerman in the NHL, I think any kid would say that, but it'd be a dream come true.

McKeen's: Plus, the defensive side of his game really developed over the course of his career.

Gregoire: Oh, of course.