Used with permission of author
When Richmond Renegades goalie Maxime Gingras came to the United States for the first time in 1998, he assumed that everyone knew his hero -- the French-Canadian cartoon character Asterix. He was surprised to learn Americans didn't know the sprite-sized figure, who has a few things in common with the 5-foot-6 Gingras.
So, as a way of breaking the ice with some of his new fans, he told them; "Asterix is the smallest guy in his village," said the 1998-99 ECHL Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year. "He's very smart. All of the missions that he is assigned are the tough ones. And I've never seen him lose."
Early in that season, Gingras made a big impression, establishing himself as one of the top goalies in the league. Soon, thanks his fan club -- "The Max Pack" -- he was flooded with Asterix comic books. That made him feel right at home, even if he was quite distant from his native Quebec.
"They became my family," said Gingras, who got married that season and celebrated by getting in his first on-ice fight with the opposing goalie in his first game after the wedding. "That was a special year for me. The people I met, and all the players from that team, are going to be my friends forever."
The presence of the 22-year-old Gingras is one of the reasons why the Renegades are among the early favorites to contend for a championship this season. When he was there full-time, like he was in 1998-99, the Renegades were almost unbeatable. Gingras carried the team to within one win of the Kelly Cup.
Last season, Gingras wasn't around too much. He was with the AHL's Providence Bruins in the beginning of the season, but appeared in only 15 games with them, going 3-9-1 with a respectable 3.08 goals-against average.
Whether it was there, or with the IHL's Houston Aeros, there seemed to be no room for him to play. By the time he came back to the Renegades, in time for a first-round loss to the Trenton Titans, it was too late. Things were too much out of sync.
"That was a very different way to learn about pro hockey," Gingras said. "I was moving somewhere new every month, not staying in the same place for more than a week. It was weird. I wasn't frustrated. I just wanted to find a place to play."
That was one of the reasons he decided to stay in Richmond, where he has that opportunity, and the adoration of the team's followers. He maintains the link to the past with a picture of Asterix that adorns his goalie mask.
"I have to focus on what I am doing right now," Gingras said. "The NHL is not that far away. This is a goaltender's league. I'm only 22. I can still get there."
Mark Simon covers the Trenton Titans and the ECHL for the Trenton (N.J.) Times. He can be reached at trentonhockey@aol.com