Bellemare’s Emotional Connection To Las Vegas Runs Deep
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare remembers Las Vegas well.
Sure, the crafty 37-year-old fourth line center and penalty killer plays for two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay after two seasons with Colorado.
So, there’s a newsy hook there as Colorado and Tampa Bay play for the Stanley Cup. That’s why he was among the most popular players sought for an interview at the Stanley Cup Final Media Day at Ball Arena in Denver Tuesday.
But the still-painful mass shooting on the Strip that killed 58 country music concert fans Oct. 1, 2017 in Las Vegas is still fresh in Bellemare’s memory when he talked with LVSportsBiz.com today.
“We had to answer what the town needed,” Bellemare recalled, noting the team’s red-hot start to its inaugural season propelled the Vegas Golden Knights to the final against Washington.
“Even if we didn’t win the Stanley Cup, it was an amazing year,” Bellemare said.
“There was a special bond between the players, the organization and the fans,” Bellemare said.
He has a special affection for Las Vegas, recalling his two children were born there.
After Bellemare joined the Colorado Avalanche after VGK Year 2, the popular ex-Misfit came back to T-Mobile Arena and scored a goal on his old pal, former Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
“I felt bad about that,” Bellemare said with a straight face. “I didn’t cheer. I tried to be respectful.”
Bellemare even said he talked with Flower after the game and was a true gentleman after scoring on his former Vegas teammate.
“I didn’t want to rub it in,” Bellemare joked.
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The Vegas Golden Knights announced today that fired Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy is the franchise’s third coach in six seasons.
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