LAVAL – Let it be said, just to close the loop: Jeffrey Viel didn’t know who Luke Tuch was either.
The Quebec striker and the Canadian’s hopeful came to blows in the Rocket’s first game of the season. The duel was unequal. Viel received 499 penalty minutes in four seasons in the QMJHL and 704 others in six seasons and dust in the professionals. He has nearly fifty fights to his credit. He already had the courage to invite Zdeno Chara to the center of the arena. Tuch, for his part, comes out of the American university ranks, where fighting is prohibited.
Colleague Mikaël Filion well described the consequences of this confrontation on Tuch, who was left with a few scars. Friday morning, Viel offered his version of the facts a few hours before the start of a doubleheader between the Rocket and the Providence Bruins.
“Of course, I normally like a rookie a little less,” agreed Viel backstage at Place Bell. I didn’t know he was a recruit, I found out later. But my primary duty, regardless, is to defend my teammates. If he hits one of my teammates, I’ll at least go see him. He doesn’t have to say yes or no, I will never force anyone to fight, but it’s part of my job. »
Tuch’s confidences highlighted the enviable reputation that Viel has built in the American League.
Whether it was during his five seasons in the San Jose Sharks organization or his brief stint with the Winnipeg Jets farm club, the former captain of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan is part of an endangered species. ‘extinction. Two years ago, he was one of three AHL players to score 15 goals while amassing 150 penalty minutes. Last season, he scored 17 goals while spending 142 minutes in the penalty box. In 2021-2022, his busiest season in the National League, he fought eight fights and received 114 penalty minutes in 34 games with the Sharks.
In short, he is not shy and knows how to add a little color to those of his opponents who want to challenge him. Tuch learned this the hard way.
This role can be fundamentally thankless. Its potential impacts on an athlete’s mental and physical health are increasingly better documented. But Viel always felt that it stuck to him and at 27 years old, it never crossed his mind to change his identity.
When we ask him if it is more difficult for him than before to “crack up” for a match during which he knows that his body will pay the price, his laugh and his look seem to ask his interlocutor in unison how did he do it? -he could well have thought of such a stupid question.
“No, not really,” replies the man who already has three fights this season. I always liked it. Of course, if you have this role and you’re not comfortable in it, it might be a little harder. But I’ve always been really comfortable there. I always liked it. So no, it’s not harder than other years. »
Same casual air when we talk to him about the long-term consequences of fights on the brain.
“We did a lot of work by limiting the maximum number of fights per year to nine. It’s no longer the fights of the 1970s or 1980s either, when the guys no longer had helmets and just punched. I would tell you that in 70% or 80% of my fights, I don’t land a single punch. Maybe it’s because I know how to defend myself! But I think there’s a lot of work that’s been done on this. It’s good to be aware of the risks, but it’s not something that stresses me out. »
Last summer, starting July 1, Viel signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins. In some ways, the decision may come as a surprise. Players like him, who still have hopes of reaching the NHL, often choose an offer from an organization with smaller numbers that can offer them a less winding path to the big club.
But when you think about it twice, the union is logical, natural.
“There are still several teams who have shown interest. I chose to come here because the culture of the Bruins reflects my style of play quite a bit, explains the former Memorial Cup champion. You know, I know they have a good team, they have a lot of depth. But I told myself that guys like me don’t have that much. »
The Bruins have had a disastrous start to the season, with only four wins in eleven games. Maybe, who knows, a fractious leader like Viel could be asked to inject a little energy into a locker room looking for answers.
In the meantime, he concentrates on his tasks with the school club. His ideas must be clear. At the end of the week, a Rocket player might be tempted to make him understand that he crossed a line by attacking a rookie at the start of the season.
“I’m always ready!” », he exclaims, carefree, at the mention of this scenario.
