TORONTO, ONT – The National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) today announced the completion of a Leaguewide educational tour led by members of the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition (NHL PIC). Beginning at the start of the 2023-24 season, NHL PIC members hosted one-hour guided conversations with active Players in all 32 locker rooms where discussions focused on diversity and inclusion, emphasizing how inclusion builds the foundation for stronger and higher-performing teams.
Tag: pierre-edouard bellemare
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare embraces fresh start with Kraken
TAMPA BAY – Pierre-Edouard Bellemare made his mark with the Lightning as the consummate locker room guy, a player who could lift his teammates with his ever-positive demeanor and genuine appreciation for playing the game.
But in finding a new home with the Seattle Kraken this season at age 38, Bellemare wants to show he still has more hockey left in him on the ice.
“It was not that something was wrong here in Tampa,” Bellemare said. “It was more like, ‘OK, how can I challenge myself to be more like I was a few years ago and instead of being maybe set back a little bit.”
In the first period of his first game back in Tampa with the Kraken, Bellemare was honored with a video tribute, and given a standing ovation by the Amalie Arena crowd. The Kraken ultimately escaped with a 4-3 overtime triumph.
Analytics with Alison: Bellemare Deep Dive
SEATTLE, WA – Pierre-Edouard Bellemare knew quite a bit about the Seattle Kraken even before signing a one-year contract with the team this summer. The center played for Dave Hakstol when both were with the Flyers organization; he played with Andre Burakovsky in Colorado; and for 15 years, the Frenchman has lived a few houses down from friend and Kraken assistant captain Adam Larsson in Sweden.
But beyond the personal connections, there’s a bite to Bellemare’s game on the ice and the special ability to motivate and mentor off the ice that makes him a solid addition to the Seattle roster.
“I think (Bellemare) brings a lot,” Larsson said. “Even in the dressing room (he is) a veteran presence. He’s vocal and obviously he’s a proven steady center. I’m sure he will like the way we play here and how the team works together. I have only good things to say about him.”
Shane Wright still working hard as his Kraken camp nears its end
SEATTLE, WA – Kraken prospect Shane Wright was again one of the last players off the ice Wednesday morning before accompanying his travel group to British Columbia for the night’s penultimate preseason game.
Wright’s appearance in a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the B.C. town of Abbotsford will likely be his last this preseason as remaining players leave Thursday for Edmonton, Alberta, and Friday’s finale against the Oilers before the Oct. 10 regular-season opener. It has been a workmanlike training camp for last year’s No. 4 overall draft selection, evidenced not only by Wright staying late after practices but also his picking up on professional hockey nuances.
“I think, overall, I’m feeling more comfortable out there,” Wright, who assisted on a first period Andrew Poturalski goal, said before leaving for Wednesday’s game. “I’m more comfortable holding on to the puck a little bit more, making plays and understanding our systems just a little bit better. And understanding teammates and systems and all that.”
Kraken Camp Video: Why You’ll Love Pierre-Edouard Bellemare
SEATTLE, WA – Seattle training camp continued Friday at Kraken Community Iceplex, with new rounds of drills, scrimmages, and conditioning exercises. Among the new campers is Pierre-Edouard Bellmare, the pride of Le Blanc-Mesnil, France.
Pierre brings to the Kraken veteran savvy, penalty killing know-how, faceoff expertise, and a smile as wide as the Columbia river. Get to know Bellemare in today’s Kraken Reaction video.
Kraken Agree to Terms with Veteran Forward Bellemare
SEATTLE, WA – The Kraken continued to restock fourth-line options Friday, agreeing to terms with veteran forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, 38, on a one-year contract ($775K average annual value).
Born in Le Blanc-Mesnil, France, Bellemare has enjoyed a late-starting but successful career. He has played nine seasons in the NHL, not making his league debut until 2014 at age 29. He moved through multiple European leagues, playing in France and Sweden, before getting a chance with the Philadelphia Flyers.
He was only the ninth player born in France to reach the NHL at the time. He went on to break Antoine Roussel’s league record for most games played by a Frenchman with his 608th career game Dec. 1. He trails only Roussel in career goals, assists and points.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare Named a Finalist for the Masterton Trophy
TORONTO, ONT – The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.
A player from each team is nominated by the local chapter. The list will be narrowed to three finalists and a winner named at the NHL Awards on June 26. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare was nominated for this prestigious award by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bellemare playing with a heavy heart after his mother’s passing
TAMPA BAY, FL – When a young Pierre-Edouard Bellemare started playing ice hockey, he didn’t have a bag filled with brand new equipment. He wasn’t shooting pucks with the latest, state of the art stick. For much of his childhood, he grew up playing the game with a third-string pair of skates that were so small his feet would curl up inside the boots.
But without those skates, Bellemare probably wouldn’t be playing in the NHL. And without the relentless hard work and dedication from his single mother, Frederique, he probably never would have had those skates to begin with.
“My mom’s involvement was huge,” said Bellemare. “We started playing hockey right around the time my father decided he wasn’t going to show up anymore. Once we decided to start skating, it became really clear that, because of our financial situation, we didn’t have the money for it. But my mom always found solutions.”
Bellemare started playing hockey when he was six and a half years old, along with his brother Geoffroy-Alexis, who was 10 at the time. Their mother did whatever was necessary to allow her two sons to play hockey, even while raising three daughters as well. But it wasn’t about the money for Frederique. She just wanted her boys to obey one life lesson both on and off the ice – always give 110%.
Lightning’s Pierre-Edouard Bellemare drives fourth-line heroics
TAMPA BAY, FL – Pierre-Edouard Bellemare didn’t want to give himself too much credit following the Lightning’s 4-1 win over the Kraken Monday afternoon in Seattle.
Locked in a tight-checking game with not many scoring opportunities, Tampa Bay’s top offensive threats were quiet and the Lightning needed a jolt from their bottom two lines.
Bellemare doesn’t score much. His job is to center a fourth line focused on playing a heavy game and possessing the puck, winning faceoffs and being an anchor on the penalty kill.
But in a game like Monday’s, where Tampa Bay had to find its offensive game from somewhere other than its top-six forwards, Bellemare made sure he was in the right place at the right time.
In a first period that saw the Lightning make 25 shot attempts (15 on goal), they were sustaining zone time and pressuring the net. But it wasn’t until Bellemare deflected an Ian Cole shot past goaltender Philipp Grubauer with 1:17 left in the period that the Lightning were rewarded with a goal, the game’s only tally in the first two periods.
“It’s depth,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “And that’s the difference with some teams. When you have some depth, it helps you win some hockey games, and in a game like (Monday’s), when (Nikita Kucherov) or (Steven Stamkos) or (Brayden Point) isn’t getting one, you need somebody like ‘Belly’ to get it for you, and it turns out to be a big one for us.”
