DU Recruit Gregoire Is Setting Nebraska On FireFrom: Lincoln Star Journal
by BRENT C. WAGNER
To understand the significance of what you are about to read, you should first know this.
Lincoln Stars coach Steve Johnson, well, let’s just say he doesn't throw around individual praise of players with the same regularity as they give away T-shirts at the Ice Box.
Not to say he's not fond of his guys. Johnson's just a big team guy — no penalty for that. That's why the compliment Johnson gave Stars forward Jason Gregoire after a recent victory was all the more impressive.
“Our guys don't have to watch hockey on television to see how to play the game," Johnson said, “they can watch Jason Gregoire.”
Whoa. Heavy stuff, but it doesn't take an NHL scout to see that Gregoire is becoming one of the most complete players in the United States Hockey League.
He has missed most of the season because of two ankle surgeries, but Gregoire has nine goals and 10 assists in just 13 games. Most impressive, Gregoire has not had a negative plus/minus statistic in any game, including the 10-1 loss at Sioux City.
Much of what makes Gregoire so good doesn't always show up on a stat sheet, either. Things like protecting the puck, forcing turnovers, and blocking shots. In short, the dirty work it takes to be successful.
“Those little things are my game,” Gregoire said. "I'm not great at anything, but I'm good at a lot of little things, especially on defense. If you're not a total hockey person it might go unnoticed, but that's most of my game.”
Gregoire was somewhat unnoticed last season, despite earning rookie of the league honors in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League — comparable to a Tier II division in the United States. He had 12 goals and 11 assists in 14 playoff games, leading his team to the league championship.
But Johnson got a tip from a friend that he couldn't go wrong with snagging Gregoire, and drafted him without having seen him play. The Stars got a steal when they took Gregoire in the 13th of 19 rounds in the 2006 Entry Draft.
“It was the coolest thing ever when I got drafted,” Gregoire said. “I was telling all my buddies I might be going to Lincoln, Nebraska — this place I've never heard of — and I started hearing about the Cornhuskers.
“And while this might be a football area, they sure love their hockey down here.”
Johnson says it's probably not just coincidence that Lincoln is 10-3 with Gregoire in the lineup, and the coach had plenty more to gush about Gregoire. Among Johnson's praise:
Gregoire, 17, had one goal and four assists in the opening weekend, and parlayed his early success into scholarships offers from the who's who of college hockey. He eventually settled on seven-time NCAA champion Denver, but doesn't know yet if he'll enroll there next season, or return to Lincoln.
As you may expect for someone who grew up across the street from a rink in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Gregoire loves the game. That love likely set him back, though, as he couldn't stand being off the ice, and tried to return from October ankle surgery too quickly. Gregoire needed a second surgery in December.
His passion also shows in his play. In the determination that Gregoire showed in scoring a breakaway goal against Tri-City with three skaters chasing him, and the shot he blocked in the last 30 seconds to preserve a win against Green Bay.
He’s driven, too, Johnson said.
“(Tuesday) we had a hard practice, and he's still out there now working on stuff — he just understands what it means to be a good player on and off the ice,” Johnson said. "He's very classy off the ice — a guy you look at the whole picture with, and how he carries himself. Everything from his appearance to his grades
“He's that guy who just gets it.”
Lincoln Stars coach Steve Johnson, well, let’s just say he doesn't throw around individual praise of players with the same regularity as they give away T-shirts at the Ice Box.
Not to say he's not fond of his guys. Johnson's just a big team guy — no penalty for that. That's why the compliment Johnson gave Stars forward Jason Gregoire after a recent victory was all the more impressive.
“Our guys don't have to watch hockey on television to see how to play the game," Johnson said, “they can watch Jason Gregoire.”
Whoa. Heavy stuff, but it doesn't take an NHL scout to see that Gregoire is becoming one of the most complete players in the United States Hockey League.
He has missed most of the season because of two ankle surgeries, but Gregoire has nine goals and 10 assists in just 13 games. Most impressive, Gregoire has not had a negative plus/minus statistic in any game, including the 10-1 loss at Sioux City.
Much of what makes Gregoire so good doesn't always show up on a stat sheet, either. Things like protecting the puck, forcing turnovers, and blocking shots. In short, the dirty work it takes to be successful.
“Those little things are my game,” Gregoire said. "I'm not great at anything, but I'm good at a lot of little things, especially on defense. If you're not a total hockey person it might go unnoticed, but that's most of my game.”
Gregoire was somewhat unnoticed last season, despite earning rookie of the league honors in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League — comparable to a Tier II division in the United States. He had 12 goals and 11 assists in 14 playoff games, leading his team to the league championship.
But Johnson got a tip from a friend that he couldn't go wrong with snagging Gregoire, and drafted him without having seen him play. The Stars got a steal when they took Gregoire in the 13th of 19 rounds in the 2006 Entry Draft.
“It was the coolest thing ever when I got drafted,” Gregoire said. “I was telling all my buddies I might be going to Lincoln, Nebraska — this place I've never heard of — and I started hearing about the Cornhuskers.
“And while this might be a football area, they sure love their hockey down here.”
Johnson says it's probably not just coincidence that Lincoln is 10-3 with Gregoire in the lineup, and the coach had plenty more to gush about Gregoire. Among Johnson's praise:
- “Jason's not the most skilled guy in the world, but he just knows how to play the game in all three zones. When he gets quicker and stronger, he's going to be a pretty dynamic player.”
- "He plays with a lot of courage, and you can't play this game scared. The other night he scored a goal by the puck going off his head into the net. We got some guys who won't go to the net, and really hold themselves back. Part of being a goal scorer is being in the right place at the right time. The right spot is usually at the net."
- “Guys who play with him are fortunate. He works hard, and does things that force two defenders to take him.”
Gregoire, 17, had one goal and four assists in the opening weekend, and parlayed his early success into scholarships offers from the who's who of college hockey. He eventually settled on seven-time NCAA champion Denver, but doesn't know yet if he'll enroll there next season, or return to Lincoln.
As you may expect for someone who grew up across the street from a rink in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Gregoire loves the game. That love likely set him back, though, as he couldn't stand being off the ice, and tried to return from October ankle surgery too quickly. Gregoire needed a second surgery in December.
His passion also shows in his play. In the determination that Gregoire showed in scoring a breakaway goal against Tri-City with three skaters chasing him, and the shot he blocked in the last 30 seconds to preserve a win against Green Bay.
He’s driven, too, Johnson said.
“(Tuesday) we had a hard practice, and he's still out there now working on stuff — he just understands what it means to be a good player on and off the ice,” Johnson said. "He's very classy off the ice — a guy you look at the whole picture with, and how he carries himself. Everything from his appearance to his grades
“He's that guy who just gets it.”
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