Photo by Hartford Wolf Pack & Bridgeport Islanders
OTTAWA – Former Carleton Ravens goaltender Francois Brassard (16-19) has his first win in the American Hockey League (AHL). Brassard was recalled early last week by the Hartford Wolf Pack and immediately made an impact making 31 saves in a 3-2 victory.
The 27-year old Brassard has spent part of two seasons with the Wolfpack, splitting time between the AHL club and ECHL affiliates in Portland, Mn., Wheeling, WV., and Jacksonville, FL.
A member of the Ravens 2019 OUA Bronze Medal team, Brassard was an integral part of the team that faced the UNB Varsity Reds at the U SPORTS championship in Lethbridge, Alta.
“We are very happy for him,” said Ravens coach Shawn Van Allen. “He was a big part of our program and played a huge role in our team going to the Nationals a few years ago.”
Brassard joins former Raven Nathan Todd (17) in the AHL and becomes the seventh Raven of the modern era to play in the AHL after their time at the Ice House.
For Brassard, his time since graduating has been spent up and down between the ECHL and AHL. As a two-time NHL draft pick, Brassard has embraced his slow rise to the AHL, “It felt like a long time coming, I’ve been working hard to get a chance to play at this level and you know obviously that was the goal before coming to Carleton.” said Brassard. “Coming to school was still the right decision for me in the long run. It really helped me shape my game a little bit better and be ready to come at the pro level.”
Photo: Bridgeport Islanders
In 2020-21 Brassard played only 9 games at the ECHL level, spending most of the year on the Pack’s taxi squad, so it was a bit of a shock to get his first game action in 2021-22 due to COVID. “You never really expected to play games because of guys out with COVID, but I’m glad I was here and ready.” Brassard would continue, “The people here in Hartford, in the organization, have been really good with me. They made a point that I deserve to be here, so I finally get a chance to play and prove that I belong.”
For Brassard, the connections to Carleton still run strong, after skating in the summer with a number of local pros, including some former Ravens, his phone was blowing up after his first win with former teammates and friends reaching out. “It was nice, I’ve had a couple of chats with guys, it’s good to reconnect,” said Brassard. “Even though I see the guys back at Carleton in the summer, it’s nice to talk to them during the season, catch up with everyone.”
