Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 18:31
By Andrew Vitalis
Okay, so he’s not a native of Minnesota. When you look at his birth certificate, it actually says Quebec, but Junior Lessard certainly considers himself, at least, half Minnesotan anyway. After all, it was during his time in the land of 10,000 lakes that the name “Junior Lessard” became a household name, especially in Northern Minnesota. All it took was four years in a Minnesota-Duluth uniform, 142 career points, a first team All-American honor, and the Hobey Baker Award. Is that all?
“I always felt at home in Duluth. I still love going back there,” said Lessard. “It’s such a fun place to be. Hockey wise, my first year we struggled. We had a new coach and a new system. My sophomore year, things really started to turn around. The program made a lot of progress year after year. It felt really good to be apart of that.”
Lessard wasn’t just part of the turnaround. Some still say he spearheaded it. After a slow start with the Bulldogs, Lessard, as he puts it, got more comfortable as time went by. After posting just 12 points his freshman season, he racked up 30 as a sophomore, 37 as a junior and 63 as a senior.
“There were quite a bit of adjustments (as a freshman). Hockey wise, it was a much better league than I was used to. My expectations were high and I really didn’t get the type of offense I wanted,” remembered Lessard. “Year after year, I was just more confident out there. I was playing a bigger role and getting more opportunities. I worked really hard to get there. I remember coming back to Duluth in July and working everyday with the team’s strength coach. It took a lot of sacrifice. When the season started, the pieces just fell into place”
Pieces, which ultimately produced a masterpiece. Sure, we know the numbers, but just to put things into perspective; the 2004 Hobey Baker Award winner played in 45 games his senior season. He scored a goal in 32 of them!
“I couldn’t believe what was happening. Then, once it came (Hobey Baker Award), I was so proud,” smiled Lessard. It really just came with hard work. I remember at the beginning of that season, I heard all of the predictions and my name wasn’t even mentioned. It was something I never even thought about until I got it.”
No question, it put Lessard on the national map. What followed was a free-agent contract with the Dallas Stars. However, even Lessard admits throughout his career he’s been a little slow out of the gates at times. Early on with Houston (AHL) was no different.
“I think some people were expecting me to step in right away and be an NHL player,” stated Lessard. “Just like with every level I’ve played at, it took me awhile to get my feet wet. I was maybe the best player in college then, but in the pro’s, it didn’t mean anything.”
Like in Duluth, it took Lessard one season to get comfortable. After posting 22 points in 71 games as a rookie, good numbers for most but certainly not up to his expectations, Lessard burst onto the AHL scene in year two, tallying a Hobey-like 56 points in 64 games with the Iowa Stars during the 2005-06 season. More importantly, Lessard made his NHL debut with Dallas that season, playing in five games. No surprise, he scored his first career NHL goal during that stretch.
“It was definitely a good experience,” stated Lessard. Playing in the NHL is a dream for every player. Even though I didn’t get a chance to stick around long, it was nice.”
Over the next two seasons, Lessard became accustomed to making the most of his opportunities. He had to. During the 2006-07 season, despite playing most of the season with Iowa, he found himself back in the NHL for one game. Yes, he scored a goal. Then, during the start of the 2007-08 campaign, Lessard played two more games with Dallas while spending the rest of his time in Iowa, the Stars AHL affiliate. Although happy about the NHL exposure, Lessard admits his time with the organization was running out.
For someone who had been making a living by taking advantage of opportunities on the ice, Lessard didn’t think he was getting much of an opportunity with the organization.
“I kind of lost my fire a little bit. I felt I had proven myself in Iowa. I started to get down on myself,” remembered Lessard.
But just like a scorer on a cold streak, all he needed was a lucky bounce, or in this case, break. That break came on Jan. 15, 2008, when Lessard was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sometimes something as simple as a phone call can change everything.
“It was really weird. I remember waking up for a pre-game skate and I got a call from the GM (General Manager) in Iowa, telling me I just got traded to Tampa Bay. Then the phone cut out. A few minutes later, he called back again, said he didn’t know why the phone got disconnected, and told me again,” laughed Lessard. “I was just in shock, I didn’t remember anything. I was making breakfast when he called. I went to the rink right away and I didn’t even remember what I had for breakfast, I was just in shock.
“It was something I wanted,” added Lessard. I was really happy, but at the same time, I had been with Dallas for 3 ½ years, and in the span of a few seconds, that was done. Still, I’ve always believed as a player, if the move puts you in a good situation, it’s a good move.”
Two months after the move, Lessard found himself back in the NHL, playing 19 games with the Lightning. After finishing the season with Tampa, Lessard saw another opportunity in Atlanta and jumped on it. After signing a one-year contract with the Thrashers in July of 2008, sticking with the dog theme, the former Bulldog is now playing for the Chicago Wolves (AHL). Currently on what he would consider a cold streak, Lessard is focused on turning his game around and getting back to the NHL.
“No matter where you play, you always have to perform. When I was with Dallas, they always told me that even though I was playing for them, 29 other teams were watching. That is so true. Every time you step on the ice, scouts are always there,” commented Lessard. “Even though I’m not putting up as much points as I would like right now, I’m still going to the rink and having fun. Yes, it’s my job, but how many people have the opportunity to play hockey for a living. I just try and keep that in mind. I’m just working hard and trying to get comfortable out there again.”
Oh no, there’s that word again. Something tells me we’ll know when that happens. So will his opponents.
