Lesieur Struggles in VHL - Discouraged?

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VSN reporter Butch Netripper, former VHLM star center, caught up with D.C. Dragons RW Guy Lesieur to ask about his experiences making the jump to the VHL for S69. With just 13 games left in the season, this seemed a good time to check in with Guy’s current mindset.

 

Netripper: Guy, you have had a meteoric rise to the VHL. You took to the ice early -especially for a Frenchman as we know hockey, and even figure skating isn’t as popular as it is in many parts of the world like Canada, the United States, Russia, Czechia, or Sweden and the other Scandinavian countries.

 

You enjoyed success from the very beginning in midget leagues all the way through the VHLM. In juniors, you had to get used to playing in the shadows of the Las Vegas greats, Jeff Tates and Benny Graves, but got to see your name in the score sheet on most nights.

 

What has it been like playing in D.C.? Finding the competition a bit stiffer here in the VHL?

 

Lesieur: Man, Netripper, you can say that again. I mean, I don’t want to brag or anything, but I notched 60 points in the VHL with 31 goals. This season? I’ve only managed to bury the puck a paltry 10 times. At this pace, I’m not going to get to even half my goals from last year.

 

Netripper: You talk about goals. That seems very important to you.

 

Lesieur: C’mon man. I’m a sniper! I work all day in practice on my wrister and slapshot. I go to be bed thinking about beating these VHL goalies and lighting the lamp and I dream about scoring the game winner in a 7^th game shootout to win the Cup. Of course I care about scoring goals!

 

Netripper: Ok then. Why so many fewer goals? Issues with your linemates?

 

Lesieur: Whoa! Back down, Netripper! Kiddy (Balentine Kidd) @TukTukTheGreat and Hoops (Mac Hooper) @MacH are formidable! Couldn’t ask for better guys on my center and opposing flank. Non, this is all on me, mon ami.

 

Netripper: So…..

 

Lesieur: Look, I had just one year in the VHLM. That’s a great league filled with great players, but I was a big fish in a smaller pond. I’m up here with some of the all-time greats now. I can’t expect to just waltz in here and take the league by storm. I’m going to have to put in the same kind of work these guys have to improve their games – and I will!

 

Netripper: What’s the development plan then?

 

Lesieur: Well, we’ve got some great on-ice leadership here in D.C. in Mikko Aaltonen and Piotr Jerwa. Amazing what you can learn about scoring from a defenseman who knows what he’s about! (laughs) And our coaching staff, @Enorama and @McWolf, is second to none. These guys really know what they’re doing.

 

Netminder: So, not discouraged after all?

 

Lesieur: Disappointed? Sure. I expect more from myself whether it’s realistic or not, but discouraged? Pas de tout! [Not at all!] I didn’t come here to fail nor did I come here to the VHL to have instant success or quit like a little bébé. I wanted to come to this fine hockey organization, the D.C. Dragons, because I believed in the vision of its coming success. I still believe in it and I believe I will have a part in making that happen for the fans of this country’s capital.