Caught in the United States, Kreutzer is bored
Gregory Kreutzer hopes the Canada-US border can open next week to allow him to join the Sherbrooke Phoenix before the start of the season.
Share September 15, 2020 Updated September 16, 2020 at 2:43 p.m. Share Taken in the United States, Kreutzer is bored
Jérôme Gaudreau La Tribune Gregory Kreutzer could have seized the opportunity to play in Europe or among professionals in the United States this season. But the American refused to miss the chance to finish the work started with the Sherbrooke Phoenix last season. But as the Canada-U.S. Border will remain closed until Sept. 21, the 20-year-old defenseman has to content himself with watching his teammates' games on the internet while training on his own.
“It's hard not to be with the guys now. I often talk to my teammates who are at the camp, but also to Samuel Hlavaj, who seems to have as much difficulty as me to join Canada. We do not know anything about the next steps. We fill out the papers and do what the League and the team ask us to do, hoping not to miss the first parts of the season. “
From October 2, Stéphane Julien's men will be able to begin to forget the abrupt stop of last March, which ended the Phoenix dream season. The Sherbrooke club will then play a first part of this very special 2020-2021 campaign. A season which promises to be once again filled with success, however, for the Phoenix.
But time is running out for Kreutzer, Slovak goalkeeper and Russian defender Pavel Grishin. Because on their arrival in Canada, the three foreign players will have to respect a quarantine before joining their training and participating in the matches.
The good news? Kreutzer says he is in great shape.
“As in Canada, everything was closed here this winter for long weeks. I had to train alone at home. But then, the private arenas opened their doors and the gyms too. In total, I participate in six workouts per week and I give myself one day off every seven days. But there is nothing better than a training camp with his club and his teammates to get back in shape, ”says the one who lives in Michigan.
Surrounded by his agent, forward Bobby Lynch of the Manitoba Moose in the AHL and Matek Pekar of the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL, Gregory Kreutzer said he was well surrounded.
“I train with guys from Major Junior, NCAA, American League and ECHL. I also participate in camps that allow me to shoot guards. I'll be ready! I could have chosen other options this year, but I loved the Phoenix and the Sherbrooke gang. I wanted to come back. “
“I often talk to Greg and we all can't wait for it to unlock,” says Phoenix general manager and coach Stéphane Julien. There will be a little adjustment period after his 40s, but Greg knows the league and the team well. I'm not worried. “
The expected reinforcement
His return to Canada will allow the Phoenix to breathe a little. Remember that the Sherbrooke organization had to cancel its last preparatory game for lack of defenders.
“We can only wait and trust the QMJHL. We see European players starting to arrive, like those affiliated with a club in the National League, ”says Julien.
Among them, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Mikhail Abramov is back in Victoriaville while Yaroslav Likhachev reunited with his Blainville-Boisbriand Armada teammates on Sunday.
“I was supposed to leave on August 10 and then on August 14. Last week, I was asked to stay ready and finally, I hope I can head to Sherbrooke next week. There is a lot of confusion. Until then, I watch all the games on the Internet, hoping to be able to play the entire QMJHL season this time with the Phoenix, ”concludes Gregory Kreutzer.
