Maxime Gingras, who makes a living stopping pucks, hasn't given up on his goal. It's taking him longer to get to the NHL than he hoped, that's all.
"If you look at some of the guys out there - [Roman] Checmanek made it when he was 31 - it's still possible," Gingras, 25, said. "It can happen so quick. You never know what's going to happen."
Then again, it's doubtful he ever thought he'd pass this way again after one full season and parts of two others with the East Coast Hockey League's Richmond Renegades. But here Gingras is, all 5-6, 160 pounds of him, armed with a two-year contract and expected to carry the expansion Richmond RiverDogs a long way in their first United Hockey League campaign.
"I didn't even know Richmond was back [in hockey]. I thought the team folded," the native of Lorretteville, Quebec, said yesterday following the team's first practice at the Richmond Ice Zone.
The Renegades packed it in after 13 seasons and almost immediately were replaced by the RiverDogs. And Gingras, who spent the past two years with the Pensacola Ice Pilots as one of the ECHL's busiest goalies (106 games, 47 victories, 3.25 goals-against), was available.
"Pensacola changed ownership, and they didn't know what they were going to do for a while because of the [players' union] strike," Gingras said. "I have a family [wife Nathalie, 14-month-old daughter Leann] and had to make a decision."
He looked into playing in Europe. He didn't give up hope on being invited to an AHL camp or even receiving an NHL deal, for that matter. Then, shortly after owner Eric Margenau gave birth to the RiverDogs, Gingras was contacted by General Manager Jeff Croop.
"I wasn't sure what I was going to do when Jeff called," Gingras said. "It didn't take long for us to make a deal. My wife was excited. I was, too. We have so many friends here. It's like home."
Fan favorites come and go, but Gingras always will be remembered by Renegades partisans for his rookie pro season (1998-99). Unknown, he skated onto Coliseum ice and proceeded to produce what has been - to date - a career season. With Gingras winning 30 regular-season games and posting a record 2.26 GAA, Richmond went all the way to the league finals, losing in the seventh and deciding game in Mississippi. He was ECHL rookie and goalie of the year.
Gingras returned briefly the following season (seven games, winning five) and again in 2000-01 when he allowed four goals in each of his first six appearances and finally was traded Jan. 9 to Mobile for "future considerations." That was akin to being given away, which didn't endear Renegades' management to its fan base. Having excellent rookie Rastislav Stana helped ease some of the concern.
"I didn't have a good start to the season, that's for sure," Gingras said. "I had a great camp with AHL Kentucky and was sure I was going to stay there. So I was down in the dumps, which probably was why I had a bad start."
Gingras did come about though. In December, he allowed 20 goals in 10 starts, including a shutout in Toledo. When he was let go, Gingras was 11-5-3 (3.24).
"The numbers were not the best, but I was still winning games," he said. "That's why I was surprised they traded me. But it worked out for the best. I got to play more."
He should get to play a lot for the RiverDogs. That's the plan. The only other goalie in camp is Olivier Dannel, a 6-4, 210 pound rookie who's on a tryout agreement.
The UHL is new to Gingras, who has played for two teams in the defunct IHL, two in the AHL and three in the ECHL. This is his first two-year contract.
"That's big, getting settled and having a little stability," he said.
© 2003, Media General, Inc. All Rights Reserved