The Hartford Wolf Pack have welcomed a familiar face back to the XL center for the 2013-14 season.  During his first stint with the American Hockey League club between 2007 and 2010, Brodie Dupont notched 44 goals and 59 assist for 103 points in 224 regular season games.  Upon his return, Dupont is excited about being back after a long time away.  “I’m kind of the older guy joining this team the second time around, and I really want to take the time with the young guys, work hard, and set a good example for them.  I just really want to enjoy my time playing back in North America.”

The pathway to the 2013-14 season has been filled with ups and downs since he left Hartford after the 2009-10 season.  The 26-year old from Russell, Manitoba has experienced everything from a major injury to playing overseas.

“During the season there will be times where you really struggle, and times where pucks are bouncing off your shin pads and into the net.  My mindset has really changed from getting mentally wrapped up in things to just having fun.  Working hard and having fun are two things you can control.”

The hard work Dupont poured into his game paid off during the 2009-10 season when he received a call-up to the New York Rangers, even if the call came when the forward was relaxing.  “Everybody strives to get to the NHL, and it is funny the way it happened with me when I found out.  I was at the movies with my phone shut off, so the Rangers couldn’t get a hold of me.  They had to call my wife to somehow reach me.  When they finally did, emotions ran high and you don’t have much time to process it. Once my wife told me, I was on the first flight out the next morning.  It was a sweet experience and I won’t forget it, that’s for sure.”

With his confidence running high, Dupont was dealt a crushing injury just before the start of the 2011-12 Nashville Predators Training camp.  “I felt I had a real opportunity to make the team, and a week before the camp I tore my Achilles.  At times when you’re injured you get real frustrated and down on yourself.  To be completely honest, my wife was my rock the entire time I was hurt.  I would come home sometimes frustrated with the world, and she was always there to pick me up.”

While this was a difficult time for Dupont, there were still some positives to the situation.  “When stuff like that happens, you get a chance to step back and re-evaluate things.  At the end of the day, as a professional hockey player, we’re fortunate to play a game for a living, something a lot of people can’t say.”

After returning later that season to play with the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, Dupont decided it was time for a change of scenery.  “I had expressed interest in playing in Europe to my agent due to the imposing NHL lockout.  I knew it was going to be very tough to find a job in North America if NHL teams were going to assign players on entry-level contracts to the American League.  I had turned down an early offer to play in the top German league, where I had originally wanted to go.  In hindsight it was probably a mistake.  An offer then came in from Italy.  As far as competition, the two leagues looked similar, and my wife and I thought it would be a cool experience, so that’s where I signed.”

Elite.A (formerly Serie A) is the top tier professional hockey league in Italy, with ten teams.  The league has been in operation since 1924, and with the NHL lockout leaving many players without work, it was commonplace for players to take their talents to leagues such as this across Europe. 

Dupont signed with Valpellice, a team located in the western corner of Italy on the border of France, where the team plays in an arena with a capacity of 2500.  Not the same capacity as arenas often seen in North America, but as Dupont notes, the fans have their own way of getting behind their team.  “The crowds really get into it with their chants, music playing, and drums going; they cheer like they are at a soccer game.”

Adjustments to his on-ice game had to be made quickly with the bigger ice surfaces. “Expect a skating game.  You need to make adjustments in terms of choosing your spots, fore checking, and going out of your way for big hits.“

“With the bigger ice surface, one of the biggest advantages,” says Dupont, “is being a North American import.  A year after my injury I really wanted to prove that I could still play the game at a high level.  Being an import I knew I would get a lot of ice time, so it was a great opportunity to work on my skills with the puck, as well as my skating.”

Being one of seven North American imports on the team, it is no surprise that Valpellice made it to the final of the Elite.A championship.  “The imports over there are pretty good.  It’s when you play a team with more Italian locals where you see a huge discrepancy in talent levels.”

This is echoed across the league, and with imports a hot commodity, Valpellice’s large number of imports had a leg up on the competition.  Valpellice lost in the championship final, signifying the end of Dupont’s time in Italy, which saw him score 16 goals and add 24 assists in 37 games. 

The time away from the rink, though, is what posed a more noticeable difference for Dupont and his wife.  “I’m glad to be back in North America.  My wife and I enjoy the way of living here.  Back [in Italy] it was so different, and some of the places we were playing and staying in were not in the most desirable of conditions.”

While Dupont’s time in Italy was a memorable experience, absent a players’ union, he does have some words of caution for other players who may be thinking of playing overseas.  “My biggest advice would be to thoroughly research your possible team.  As many in hockey know, it is kind of hit or miss over there, and you are not offered the same financial protection over in Europe as you are here.  Research the team and its reputation.”  

With European hockey experience under his belt, Dupont is quick to point out the importance of being represented by a player union.  “The amount of protection the PHPA offers it’s Members and the amount of work they put in is incredible so that when a rookie like I was at 20 years old comes in, not having a clue about things like off-ice insurance, health benefits claims, and workers compensation, the PHPA is there to back you.”

As a Player Representative who has attended the PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives a few times, Dupont comments on the strength of the PHPA player Membership.  “As a union, we are a very united group, and it’s very nice to have that backing.  Going to the meetings in Florida for the first time you are a sponge, doing a lot of listening, and the second time around you have a lot more questions and answers to take back to your team.  The best part is getting to build camaraderie with players from around the league.  You are in constant battle with them throughout the year, so it’s nice to sit down and share stories.” 

After all the time away, Dupont likes his familiar surroundings and new teammates. “There is a great vibe at the rink. I like the identity we are trying to establish; we’ve had to come from behind in a few games this year, and its great to see that the boys don’t give up.  The mindset is great!”

With the Hartford Wolf Pack leading their division early in the season, it will be interesting to see how Dupont fares throughout his return to North American ice and the American Hockey League.