Alexandre Giroux began the season with the Chicago Wolves, but a deadline trade bought Giroux back to Hershey, where he spent last season. Giroux was nice enough to sit down with Inside Hockey for a quick chat about his return to Hershey.

Chris Rahn: How does it feel to be back in Hershey?

Alexandre Giroux: It feels great. I was looking forward to coming back and it happened. The only thing I was hoping for was a little bit more wins as soon as I got back, but we got a great team here so I think we’ll be fine.

CR: What was your initial reaction when you found out you were traded?

AG: Really excited, excited! I pretty much talked every week to Freddy Cassy (Frederic Cassivi), and he was happy to see me come back and I was excited. It was like a fresh start for me and I was really really excited.

CR: If you had to be traded, were you glad it was back to Hershey?

AG: Oh yeah, it was definitely Washington organization, and obviously being back in Hershey was I think the best thing for me.

CR: Was it tough joining the Bears at the start of a road trip that lasted nearly three weeks?

AG: Yeah absolutely. Maybe you can see both ways because it was hard because we had 13 days on the road, but maybe less pressure to adapt with the guys because your home. Maybe the road trip allowed me to know the guy a little bit better and adapt to a new team.

CR: Is it strange coming back to Hershey where a lot of the guys like Tenute and Hendricks are gone, and Bruce isn’t the coach anymore?

AG: Yeah, that’s the point of the American League; it’s always changing and every year. If it’s not the coach, it’s the players going to a different team. Hershey always tried to put a good team together and I think we’re right up there.

CR: Do you feel somewhat pressured to be a leader on this team being a veteran guy?

AG: No pressure, but I know that I got a bigger role. Every year I become a veteran and come back here with a young guy. I need to take charge more than last year and the year before. I look forward to do that and I think that makes me play a little bit better when I show the way to the other guys.

CR: How was your time in Chicago?

AG: Nothing negative. I mean, like city-wise, it’s a great great city, obviously. The team was number one in the league. Great coach, I just think as part of the future I have a better chance here than the Atlanta organization. Other than that, it was good.

CR: Last year in the playoffs when you scored against Wilkes-Barre and jumped on the glass, can we see a repeat of that this year in the playoffs?

AG: (laughing) If it’s a big goal like that in overtime, I promise I’ll do it again.

CR: Thanks Alex!

AG: No problem!

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