This observation, or rather, this acceptance of the harsh reality, does not seem to change the happiness he has in playing hockey. Grégoire is playing his seventh season in the American League (AHL) and his first with the Texas Stars.

He loved his life in suburban Austin.

It was a bit like a homecoming for me, because when I was a kid, my father (Jean-François Grégoire) played in the Central League in Texas, the striker explained to Radio-Canada Sports. I live in Texas and here I learned my English. It looks like I will be full and ready for another challenge in the next few years.

The next challenge was undoubtedly a trip to Europe to accompany his younger brother Thomas, an attacking defender playing in Finland.

I still don’t know what country I want to go to. But what attracted me the most was playing with my brother. I think with our baggage, good opportunity right now. My brother is good on his team. For my part, I still have over 375 games in the American League.

The fact remains that, for a North American player, deportation to Europe often means an end to the dream of playing in the NHL. Jeremy Grégoire knew this and he was at peace with his situation.

Since his first three-year contract with CH, where he participated in several preseason games, he has not been linked to any NHL organization. After two seasons in Newfoundland and one at Laval with the Rockets, he played a year in Milwaukee and three in Tucson before heading to Texas.

For an AHL veteran, without an NHL contract, it can be hard to climb the ladder. Grégoire was clear. At the start of the season in Texas, his coach left him a few more times.

My dream in the NHL is farther away, I’ll tell you. Since Christmas, not so long ago, the pressure on myself in relation to that has somewhat lessened. At Laval, in 2018, I thought I played well, but there were changes and I was not offered a second contract. When you change organizations, you are behind their draft picks and behind the former veterans.

However, the matter is not impossible. His best friend Zachary Fucale proved it this season by starting his first NHL at age 26, after a long tour in the American League and even in the ECHL, a lower level.

The conversation between the two became emotional when Fucale received the long-awaited call.

We talked on FaceTime and we both had tears in our eyes, Grégoire recalled. Zach is a very emotional person and he has never been easy in his career. Hard for a goalkeeper. And so, hats off to him. He will travel far.

Proud of his career in the American League

On Radio-Canada Sports ’visit to Texas at the end of March, the Stars won a thrilling shootout duel against the Milwaukee Admirals in an atmosphere large enough to complicate the crowds of several National League amphitheaters.

About 6,000 spectators gathered to entertain Grégoire and his teammates. Quebecer also stood out for his intensity during the match. Aside from constantly bothering his rivals on the ice, he also gave up against an opponent.

The games in March are intense when both teams want to get into the playoffs and our hockey fans love it, he said. We really want to put on a good show. I want to engage physically. There are more relaxed battles where I make better offensive games. But tonight I have to take care of the big people on the other side.

He may not play in the National League, but he earns from professional hockey.

I have the impression that people’s perception of the American League has changed quite a bit since Rocket moved to Laval, he explains. Previously, people talked about minor leagues in a persuasive way. But now they realize that the American League is great for us and it’s good hockey.

To have a career in this league, for me, it is absolutely not a failure. For me, it was a time of learning. Hockey careers are often influenced by injuries and timing. I’ve still played a few preseason games in the NHL, so I tell myself I’ve kind of tasted it anyway.

Jeremy Grégoire’s journey is reminiscent of the journey of Maxime Fortunus, now an assistant coach at the Texas Stars. In 18 years of professional career, including 15 in the American League, Quebecer has only played 9 games in the NHL.

Fortunus admires Grégoire’s travels and leadership.

He brings a different energy to the team than the other players and he manages to maintain a very good level of intensity in good and bad weather, Fortunus judges. He always plays to the limit. For guys like him, the AHL becomes your National League. You have to have the right mentality of someone who does not want to give up. This is the only thing you can ask a player.

If he enjoys the time spent in Texas with his girlfriend and even if he possibly sees himself in Europe with his brother next year, Jeremy Grégoire is also thinking about his post-career. Consistent with hockey, he takes two or three distance courses per semester for a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Hockey is still his priority, but there are many more. When we asked him what we could ask of him, he answered without hesitation a good time with his girlfriend.

I think I’m at a point in my life where family will be the front and center. So far, I’m fulfilled and that’s all I ask for.