Max Lapierre
Maxim Lapierre played for the PEI Rocket for two seasons from 2003-04 to 2004-05. Prior to this Max played for the Montreal Rocket for two seasons before heading to PEI. Max certainly thrilled PEI fans for the two years he played here with excellent skills and playmaking abilities. Along with some great hockey skills he also amassed alot of penalty minutes and spent time in the penalty box. The first season with the PEI Rocket was very exciting with a strong team and a solid line with Lapierre, Urquhart and Michael Lambert. This line provided some great hockey and was one of the most productive lines in the QMJHL that year. Who can forget Max’s contributions when the PEI Rocket faced the Quebec Remparts in the first round of the playoffs. The Rocket went into an intimidating hockey city with rabid fans only to upset Patrick Roy’s team not once but twice in the old Pepsi Coliseum. This was the Rocket’s finest hour and most successful season only to have them miss the playoffs the following year.
With Lapierre’s hockey career underway, Max then went to play for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL in 2005-06. It was during this year that Max had the opportunity to fufill his boyhood dream and suit up for the Montreal Canadiens. With only one game played and then being sent back down to the Bulldogs this no doubt galvanized Max’s desire to play full time within the NHL. Early on in the 2006-2007 season he had his wish and once again was asked to come and play for the Habs with him playing a total of forty-six full games in the NHL. He impressed the club so much that he started the preseason with the Habs into the early 2007 season only to have a disappointing rout and then was sent down again to the farm club. Finally in December of 2007 Lapierre was once again called upon to help out with the Canadiens and he has maintained his permanency there.
Always a fan favourite at the Bell Center Lapierre has thrilled the Montreal fans with his determined play and his strong work ethic while grinding in along the boards. Playing center on the third or fourth line, Lapierre brings an exciting rush when skating down the ice of an offensive attack. Oftentimes he is used on the powerplay and has shown to be skilled in keeping the puck off the opposing players. In 2008 in a game against the Florida Panthers Lapierre recorded his first hat trick while playing in the NHL. Max continues to toil for the lukewarm Habs this year and still brings his flashy style of play to the rink every night. Max still has strong ties to the PEI Rocket and the host billets who looked after Max when he lived on PEI. Neil and Christine keep in close contact with Max and have even been a guest at Max’s house this past year just outside of Montreal. He has never forgotten the people and the fans of Charlottetown and still calls and visits here occasionally.
Marc Andre Gragnani
Marc-Andre Gragnani played his entire QMJHL career in Prince Edward Island with the Rocket. He was a fan favourite here for his strong defensive skills and ability to move the puck. He also was solid on the power play and could pass and shoot while in the opponents zone. It seemed as we watched him year after year in Charlottetown that his ability and skill level increased and in turn helped the Rocket win some key games. His ability was solidified in his final year with the Rocket with Marc Andre tallying 68 points in 65 games. Gragnani was eligible for the NHL draft in 2005 and many scouts had him on their radar as a strong, up and coming defenseman. The Buffalo Sabres recognized his potential and drafted him in the 3rd round, 87th overall.
After graduating from the PEI Rocket, Gragnani went on to play for the Sabres farm team – the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League in the 2007-2008 season. His first season in the AHL was very productive with him getting 52 points in 78 games played. It was his stellar play that year that earned him a trip to the “Big Show” where he suited up for the Sabres in the NHL for two games. Even though he was held scoreless in those two games he did make an impression on Sabre’s coach Lindy Ruff. With his popularity increasing Gragnani was also voted on as the Rochester’s rookie of the year and also the team’s most popular player that year. In the 2008-2009 season Buffalo changed their AHL affiliate from the Amerks to the Portland Pirates. This affiliation was one of the longest in the AHL lasting 29 years connected to an NHL club. He then went on to play for the Pirates and in the 08-09 season he netted 51 points in 76 games played.
The NHL came a knocking once again and called him up to play in four games with Buffalo that year. Not getting a whole lot of ice time in the four games he played in, he nonetheless gained some valuable lessons on playing at that level from the veterans on the bench. Marc-Andre is still considered young in the hockey world and at only 22 years of age he has a great amount of potential to eventually crack the NHL on a permanent basis. With his skill set improving and maintaining a positive attitude, no doubt we shall see him playing there on a full time basis. We as PEI Rocket fans do wish him success with his hockey career and that we had the pleasure of watching him as he honed his ability and skill in the four years he played in front of us at the CCC.
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The Rocket would like to thank Scott Gregory for his dedication to this project. Scott is a volunteer for the Rocket and we truly appreciate his efforts in bringing this information to all of our loyal fans.
