When he played for the Alaska Aces two seasons ago, goaltender J.P. Lamoureux was very much a Utah Grizzlies killer. Lamoureux went 10-1-1 against Utah during the 2008-09 season and was lights' out for Alaska in a Kelly Cup playoff series against the Grizz. Flash forward to the present, though, and the former Grizzlies killer has now joined the Grizzlies. The 2009 ECHL Goaltender of the Year recently chatted with Dan Rasmussen about coming to Utah.
Question: What do you remember about playing against the Grizzlies two years ago?
Answer: I just remember Utah was always a gritty team, and you know, they never let you have an easy win. Certainly, we had a lot of success against Utah my year in Alaska, but they were always tough games, I remember."
Question: You signed with the Calgary Flames of the NHL this year as a fifth goaltender. How do you feel about being sent here to the Flame's ECHL affiliate, Utah?
Answer: I'm excited to be part of this organization. I know Utah and their coach (Kevin Colley), they pride themselves on developing guys at this level and moving guys on to the American Hockey League. The AHL is kind of where I wanna be right now."
Question: You will be the undisputed No. 1 goaltender for as long as you are here in Utah. How excited are you about filling that role?
Answer: For me, I really relish the role of being the guy, being the starter and carrying the load. I think I definitely proved that in my college career and especially my first year in Alaska when I played virtually every game. I think I've proven I can carry the load, and I think I play my best hockey when I'm playing a lot."
Question: You are obviously trying to move up the latter to get to the NHL. How difficult is it to climb up that ladder?
Answer: I played four years of college, and that kind of provided a lot of stability as far as being in one spot. (But) when you turn pro, trying to make the National Hockey League, we're kind of paying our dues right now. We know it's gonna be harder to get a job in the National Hockey League just because there's fewer jobs available."
Question: You played in the Kelly Cup Finals with Alaska in 2008. Utah coach Kevin Colley has made it a big priority to try to contend for a Kelly Cup. What does it take to get the Kelly Cup Finals?
Answer: You need to be able to close out teams in the third period. You need to be able to come from behind. And certainly, you need X-factors. And I think your goaltender provides that for you. If I'm the guy playing in the playoffs I'd like to think I'm the X-factor in that equation and I can be a difference-maker."