For Pascal Morency, it's all about belief. There's belief that he can help the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, to provide them with energy on the wing and some toughness and reliability in the defensive zone.

But it goes beyond that, too. Morency, almost 27, has chased his dream of playing professional hockey since he was young. When he gets to go out into the community, belief is the message he most wants to share.

"When I go to some kids' schools, when I can speak, it's a message of follow your dreams, and follow your heart," said Morency, who came to Bridgeport in 2007 seemingly fresh out of central casting, the tough guy with the heart of gold. "So many children have people taking them down. Sometimes, they try to bring negative thinking to them. When you're young, you take it all in. So I like to tell them they can become anything they want to be in life. They can achieve whatever they desire if they believe in themselves."

The Montreal native loves to get out into the community. He was the team's nominee last year for the Yanick Dupre Award, which is given for community involvement.

Morency said he really enjoyed the Sound Tigers' visits to local hospitals right before Christmas. A video on the team's Web site shows Morency, decked out in a Santa hat, and several teammates visiting pediatric wards to deliver stuffed toys.

"I haven't given as much as I'd like to, so far," Morency said. "I'm fortunate to play at a professional level, to be

healthy, to be an athlete, to do what I love. I don't want to take these for granted. I want to give back."

The fans took to him. As a physical player who'll fight when necessary, he was bound to catch some eyes. Throw in his outgoing, positive personality, and he became a fan favorite in a hurry.

Morency was only on a one-year contract, though, and it wasn't clear if he would be back. The team only offered him a tryout, something he didn't finally accept until shortly before training camp.

But he still came from his home in Pennsylvania to the area a couple of times during the summer, doing community appearances for the team. It doesn't seem like something a free agent would often do, does it?

"I do it for the people," Morency said. "I don't hold a grudge or things like that. It wouldn't do me any good to say no.

"Even (if) I was not coming back, let's say, the fans have always treated me so nice. They're great people. If I can get back, I would still do it."

It's the kind of attitude that has kept him around Bridgeport, even when he hasn't played much.

"He's energy. Work ethic, and energy," coach Jack Capuano said. "He goes the same speed in practice as he does in a game. Most important is his attitude and his character."

Morency's tryout in training camp was a success, but issues with immigration kept him off the ice for a week to start the season. Even then, he wasn't playing; the Sound Tigers had extra players continuously, and he couldn't crack the lineup.

Even since he made his season debut Nov. 22, he has played only eight games.

"You want to be out there. You just want to play, to contribute, to help the team," Morency said. "The most important thing is that you can't let it affect your confidence. That's what I'm focused on right now, staying confident."

As Capuano said, Morency is usually one of the last players off the ice in practices. He keeps his 5-foot-10, 196-pound frame in top condition. And his toughness isn't in doubt.

"The great thing about Pascal is he knows we've got some young players developing, and he understands that," Capuano said. "At the same time -- and we've had that conversation -- his goal, like everyone else here, is to get to the National Hockey League. He hasn't lost sight of that goal, and he brings it every day to reach that goal."

He took a minus in his first game but has not been on the ice for a goal-against in his other seven games.

"I truly believe in myself," Morency said. "I believe in what I can bring, what I want to show. Every practice, I come in with the purpose of improving myself, getting better, to get better every day."

By Michael Fornabaio
Staff writer of the SoundTigers of Bridgeport