Sammy Blais reveals his moto: Right up Rick Tocchet's alley

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Felip Gosselin
September 23, 2024 (7:22 PM)

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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.

«When they [the Canucks] offered me a PTO, they just said that they liked players like me and that I would get a good shot at making the team,» Blais shared when asked about his decision to join Vancouver. His gritty, hard-nosed style makes him a natural fit for the bottom six, particularly in the wake of the recent Vasily Podkolzin trade. «I'm a physical guy out there. I play the game hard, nose to nose... I'm able to make some good plays too with the puck and be confident with the puck.»

Despite his positive outlook, Blais admits there's pressure to stand out.

«It's my first time being on a PTO. Normally, I go onto a team with a contract and stuff, but it's been a little nerve-wracking,» he said. However, Blais remains confident, drawing on his past NHL experience. «I've been around a long time in the NHL, so I kind of know what to do to be successful... just be myself.«You got to stand out. But for me, practices are hard to show that a little bit. But when games come, I think just play my game, play hard.»»

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.

"When I was in the AHL, I was more of a scorer and passer, but in the NHL, you've got to do something else to stand out. For me, it was being physical, hard to play against, and that's what made me successful in the NHL."

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