Gingras works a double shift

Monique Walker

Leann Gingras has more personality than some adults.

She giggles and coos. She wiggles and drools. At 4 months old, she doesn't have any other responsibility. And in between the coos and small meals, she rests.

Ice Pilots goalie Maxime Gingras relaxes with his 4-month-old daughter, Leann Gingras, on the living room sofa in their condo on Pensacola Beach.
Bruce Graner

At noon last Tuesday, Leann slept.

Maxime Gingras slipped into his two-bedroom apartment without waking her. His morning practice with the Pensacola Ice Pilots was done.

In the past, the end of practice meant the end of a work day. Now, the end of practice is just the beginning.

Gingras and his wife, Nathalie Genest, are raising their first child, while Gingras handles the duties as the Pilots' primary goaltender.

The new addition hasn't slowed Gingras, who ranks second in the East Coast Hockey League in save percentage and third in the league in goals against average.

His stellar play earned him goaltender of the week in November and last week he was runner-up for goalie of the month.

"His character is the thing that makes it easy for Max," Pilots right wing Greg Pankewicz said. "The way he prepares, he's always at the top level. He's always focused. He's a big part of what we're trying to get accomplished."

Now the trick for Gingras, 24, is to balance the excitement of a newborn with the discipline to rest and focus to play a position that requires extreme concentration.

NEW ADDITION

"It's just amazing," Genest said. "A year ago, she wasn't even here, and now you have this amazing person that laughs when she looks at you and reacts."

On Aug. 1, Leann arrived. Eight hours of labor and Leann was born. She was 7 pounds, 11 ounces and delivered in Quebec City, their hometown.

After four years of marriage the couple welcomed Leann. Genest bought clothes and stuffed animals. Teammates gave gifts.

Every facial reaction or squirm was caught on camera.

"I didn't think I would be able to see the puck again because of all the flashes," Gingras joked.

But after the initial excitement became the challenge of merging the life of hockey with being parents.

They began with a schedule.

No more grocery shopping at 2 a.m. Less parties. More responsibility.

Pankewicz and his wife Charmaine have learned the balance while raising their 2-year-old daughter, Taylor.

"He's got to sacrifice a bit," Pankewicz said. "It changes your life. You can't just jump in the car and get something from McDonalds. I still call my parents from time to time for advice. It never ends."

In previous seasons Gingras developed a game-day routine. He's the first off the ice after the morning pre-skate. He eats and then naps for four hours. He wakes up with a cold shower, eats again and then returns to the Civic Center for the game.

But now, some days his naps are shorter. Some days he would rather stay up with Leann.

"If I'm really tired, Nathalie just looks at me and says, `Go to bed," Gingras said. "I need my energy, but she needs hers too."

Friends have helped the two, whose family lives in Quebec City. For Genest, sometimes her only break comes during Pilots games when friends take turns holding Leann while Genest watches the game.

"Everyone has been great," Gingras said. "You realize just how important it is to have friends."

With the added help, it eases Gingras's mind while he is on the ice.

BETWEEN THE PIPES

Gingras has a few dreams. He has a love of fighter jets and once toyed with the idea of flying. But his ultimate goal remains reaching the National Hockey League.

At 5-foot-6, Gingras has had to make his way in a game moving toward taller and bigger goalies.

His rookie season, Gingras had a career year with the Richmond Renegades. He was selected ECHL Goaltender of the Year for the 1998-1999 season, while helping the Renegades reach the Kelly Cup Finals.

He joined the Pilots last season and has become a staple between the pipes. Last season he was 24-17-6 and posted a .918 save percentage.

He became a primary element for Pilots coach Todd Gordon to have re-signed for this season.

"No matter if its 5-1 or 0-0 Max plays the same," Gordon said. "He's focused and never loses concentration."

The Pilots have endured a four- game winless streak this season, but now are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Gingras has remained a constant throughout that span.

This season, Gingras is 9-5-4 with a .931 save percentage and has allowed 2.29 goals against average.

He is satisfied with his performance this far into the season, but after a bad game his thoughts tend to shift toward his family.

"If I don't play good, then I could get traded or either go home," Gingras said. "We rely on this and it can put on more pressure, but I don't think about it. Once you do that it becomes more like a job and this is a game."

Gingras keeps a picture of Leann in his locker. Just looking at her can make him smile. She gnaws on her stuffed animals and struggles to make sounds. She has bright eyes and a gaping smile.

He doesn't worry about being a parent and a hockey player. He doesn't look too far ahead and tries to stay in the moment.

"You've got to be yourself," Gingras said. "She's learning and we're learning too. Some day she'll tell us if we were good parents."