RAHN’S INTERVIEW WITH ALEXANDRE GIROUX

June 1, 2009

Chris Rahn, BEARS Staff Writer Alexandre Giroux set many records as a member of the HERSHEY BEARS during the 2008-09 season. The biggest one for him was breaking Brett Hull’s 22-year old record for goals in consecutive game. He also set a BEARS franchise record by score 60 goals during the season, break Tony Cassolato’s record of 53 set during the 1982-83 season. Giroux enjoyed a career year in the chocolate and white. He set career highs for goals (60), assist (37) and points (97). In addition to his record breaking season in HERSHEY, Giroux also scored his first NHL goal in two years with the Washington Capitals. Chris Rahn: When did you realize you could break Brett Hull’s record? Alexandre Giroux: When I came back (from Washington). Guys started mentioning it around game 9, 10 and 11. I scored in game 12 and Woody said ‘good job keeping this thing going’ and I was like oh yeah that’s right. After that I was just looking to tie the record, and when I got close I thought it would be cool to break it. Chris Rahn: During the game when you set the record, did you begin to wonder as the game went on if you were going to break the record? Alexandre Giroux: Not in the first. I didn’t try to think about it. I remember that game; I had quite a few shots, sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don’t. I was hoping it wasn’t one of these games. Between the second and third, I looked at the clock and was alright I got 20 minutes to do it. Chris Rahn: What was your feeling after you set the record? Alexandre Giroux: I didn’t know what was going on. I came back to the bench and all the guys, and I saw Doug come and I realized it was something special. We had champagne in the room afterwards. Chris Rahn: Statistically you had your best season. How would you rate your season? Alexandre Giroux: I think its all team. The team’s been in first position all year, so that helps. If we were a last place team in the league, I don’t think I could do as good as I did. Playing with Keith Aucoin and Graham Mink obviously helps. I mean, I think we have lots of good players here, but Keith is good with the puck, and Graham and I are more like pinchers, so the combination of our two helped a lot. Chris Rahn: You’ve played for several different AHL teams, where does Hershey rank among your favorites? Alexandre Giroux: It’s got to be here for sure. I like everywhere I played to be honest, but two years ago when we went to the finals, that was something special and we always always talk about it. You can tell now, they’re all in Washington and do well. I came back here last year and that was a fun group; even though we went out in the first round of the playoffs. Chris Rahn: What’s in been like playing on a line with Aucoin and Mink, arguably the best line in the AHL? Alexandre Giroux: I think we are when we play our best. There are so many good players in this league and every team always has their number one line and their always just as good. With Keith, he’s played about 40 games in the NHL, and with Graham Mink, he’s been around a while. The combinations of the three of us do a good job of covering all the activity on the ice. Chris Rahn: How much did it play on your mind as you closed in on HERSHEY’S single season goal record? Alexandre Giroux: I’m not going to lie, I thought about it for sure. I got 50 and I think that was amazing, I was really proud of that. Chris Rahn: Which record means more? Consecutive games with a goal or HERSHEY’S single season goals record. Alexandre Giroux: To be honest, I think the 15 in a row. I think that’s a hard thing to do. I think that was something special to do, score one goal a game, but I think that record’s pretty special. Chris Rahn: How do you normally spend the offseason? Alexandre Giroux: Usually I take a trip somewhere and try to relax. I have a friend in Switzerland, and I’ve been there six times over the past couple of years. After that, I want to go back home and take two weeks off. I train every day with a couple of guys back home, we actually skate 2-3 days each week. I love fishing; going fishing with my family and friends. I have a tennis membership and I go there during the week. Summer goes by just like that.