Zachary L'Heureux: "I'm Looking to Turn the Page"

When asked what he wants people to know about him, he described an on ice persona and the person he really is off ice.

"On the ice, I can be hard nosed, in your face. I'm not fun to play against. I can get into the rough stuff, chirping and all that. Maybe I come off like not the best human being, but off the ice it's a bit of a change. I definitely think I'm a good teammate. I want to be there for the boys and stick up for everybody on my team."

"I think I'm a good human being in general and try to be even better every day."

Halifax teammate and 2023 Predators draft pick Dylan MacKinnon has seen both on and off ice L'Heureux. 

"He's a guy that doesn't have the best rep, but he's one of the sweetest guys. He's a phenomenal player and mentor," MacKinnon said of L'Heureux after being drafted by the same franchise as his Halifax teammate. 

The Predators see the potential in L'Heureux on and off the ice as well having come alongside him through the ups and downs of his career. One of those who checks in with L'Heureux is former Predator and now development coach Mark Borowiecki. 

"Boro has definitely been big," L'Heureux said. "He's talking to me pretty much after every day making sure I'm positive, making sure things are going the right way."

L'Heureux is surrounding himself with staff, teammates, and former players who understand that it isn't always easy as a young man to navigate the ups and downs of a high pressure environment.  His family and the hockey ops staff encourage him to embrace the journey and remember the lessons he's learned along the way. 

"They've really helped me pave a way to show me that it's not going to be tomorrow that I'll play in the NHL. It's a journey and to appreciate it, not take it for granted and take it one day at a time."

More than just Brunette's promise of a clean slate appeals to L'Heureux, a forward who enjoys playing a fast, physical game. Nashville's focus on playing a faster, more offensively minded style of hockey is something L'Heureux is excited about as well.

"I like his mindset," L'Heureux said of Nashville's new head coach. "The way he wants to play fast, wants to be on pucks, get up ice quick. That mentality definitely suits my game."

Beginning a new chapter with a new system is a challenge for L'Heureux and other players making the jump from the junior level to the AHL and NHL. The competition is bigger and faster, but that just motivates L'Heureux to stay focused on his goals. The competition is a motivator for him.

That's also something that is true both on and off ice L'Heureux. Competing is part of who he is. He and some of the other young players compete at Mario Kart to unwind and relax in the evenings. When asked who was the best at Mario Kart, L"Heureux laughed.

"I'm gonna have to say me, by far. I've had a lot of hours clocked in on it."

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