Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, a seasoned NHL veteran, will captain France in the upcoming Olympic Qualifiers, looking to make a final mark on his national team.
In his season with the Kraken, the 39-year-old scored four goals and recorded seven points in 40 games. Bellemare, who went undrafted, has played 10 seasons in the NHL, appearing in 700 games. He is known for his strong face-off skills, winning 53.5% last season, and his leadership on and off the ice.
Bellemare's NHL career includes two deep playoff runs with the Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning, where he reached the Stanley Cup Finals but fell short of winning the title. Despite these near misses, Bellemare's defensive skills and experience have made him a respected player throughout his career.
France will face Slovenia, Ukraine, and Latvia in the qualifiers, with France and Latvia expected to be the top contenders for the Olympic spot. For Bellemare, this could be a final chance to represent his country on the world stage before possibly retiring.
While his NHL future is uncertain, Bellemare's focus is on helping France secure Olympic qualification. His leadership and experience will be key for the French team as they aim for a spot in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
