by Jordan Conn | AHL On The Beat
It’s not typically you discover a participant who scores factors, stacks up penalty minutes, and is an lively member of the group. The Boston Bruins group has discovered a uncommon gem in Jeffrey Viel.
A seventh-year professional, Viel signed a two-year, two-way contract with Boston throughout final summer season’s free company interval and has discovered his groove within the group. He has two targets – together with a shorthanded, game-winning objective on Nov. 8 towards Bridgeport – and two assists with 43 penalty minutes and a plus-1 ranking by means of 19 video games for the Windfall Bruins this season.
The ahead knew that the Bruins had been the perfect touchdown spot for him.
“It’s been nice. That’s why I signed right here,” mentioned Viel. “The tradition right here is wonderful and the chance to be a pacesetter performed an enormous half in me coming right here.”
The Rimouski, Quebec, native is aware of that being a pacesetter isn’t only a job assigned to those that put on a letter on their jersey. Viel exhibits his management day by day in how laborious he works on and off the ice.
“My recreation is the Boston and Windfall Bruins means,” Viel said. “I play laborious and play bodily, preserve the sport easy and get to the web. That’s been my recreation for my professional profession.”
Nevertheless, Windfall head coach Ryan Mougenel realized early that Viel was additionally a task mannequin for younger gamers on his squad, and awarded him an “A” on his sweater when one of many workforce’s alternate captains was recalled by Boston.
“He’s a excessive character man, an amazing teammate, and a pupil of the sport,” mentioned Mougenel. “He’s actually put a variety of time into his craft. He performs the suitable means and has a extremely good talent package deal.”
Mougenel additionally knew a participant like Viel would transition simply into the Windfall locker room.
“The fellows acknowledge what a very good teammate he’s and the way laborious he works,” mentioned Mougenel. “That’s why it’s seamless for him.”
Bruins administration rewarded Viel for his play early within the AHL season and recalled him to Boston for the Nov. 18 recreation towards Columbus. In that chance, Viel confirmed the influence he could make on a recreation along with his bodily type of play.
“I assumed he did a extremely good job going up and doing what he does,” mentioned Mougenel. “Systematically, I assumed he was actually good. I believe they know he can play up there.”
Off the ice Viel’s group minutes are including up, identical to his level whole and penalty minutes, which frequently come from looking for his teammates in a bodily nature. He just lately took a visit to the Resort for Homeless Canine, the place he frolicked displaying love for the animals who don’t presently have a house.
“I like to get invested locally,” mentioned Viel. “It’s an vital a part of being knowledgeable hockey participant, giving again to the individuals and the followers, whereas attending to know the realm just a little bit. I all the time like to contribute.”
And whereas Viel is trying ahead to extra alternatives to offer again to his group, he’s additionally on the lookout for extra methods he can contribute to assist his workforce win hockey video games.
