Sammy Blais reveals his moto: Right up Rick Tocchet's alley
Samuel Blais hasn't had the most straightforward journey since winning the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.
Once seen as a promising middle-six winger for contending teams, Blais has battled numerous injuries and inconsistent production, significantly impacting his career trajectory. Now, he finds himself at the 2024-25 Vancouver Canucks training camp on a professional tryout (PTO) contract, following an AHL deal with the Abbotsford Canucks. While his immediate future may be in the minors, Blais is determined to prove he still has what it takes to contribute at the NHL level.
Despite his positive outlook, Blais admits there's pressure to stand out.
The winger understands that games, more than practices, are where he can make his mark. Reflecting on his struggles over the past few seasons, Blais acknowledges that the road has been challenging. «Last year was not my best,» he admitted, referencing his time with St. Louis. However, he pointed to his solid 2022-23 season as proof of his ability to succeed when given the right opportunity. «I think I belong in the NHL, so it's just going to be for me to prove it.»
Perhaps Blais's most significant advantage this year is his health. After battling that difficult ACL injury recovery, he finally feels confident on the ice again.
With head coach Rick Tocchet, a former teammate and roommate of Blais' old coach Craig Berube, now guiding the Canucks, Blais sees the similarities. Craig Berube and Tocchet are pretty much the same kind of guy. They like the physical game and playing hard. That's his game, and it's hard to play against.
As Blais attempts to resurrect his NHL career, he focuses on being that tough, physical presence he's always been.
Now, he hopes that same approach will earn him a spot in Vancouver's lineup.
Source: Canucks Army
''Be hard to play against'': Sammy Blais set on cracking Canucks' roster
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 23 | 98 ANSWERS Sammy Blais reveals his moto: Right up Rick Tocchet's alley Do you think he has a chance to be signed to a standard NHL contract? | ||
| Yes | 66 | 67.3 % |
| No | 32 | 32.7 % |
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