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Ice Hockey - Laurent Gras ... Clap de Fin!
22 senior hockey seasons, 2 Junior World Championships, 13 Senior World Championships, 2 Olympic Games, an impressive career for an exceptional player!
Laurent GRAS laced up his first skates in Chamonix, his hometown.
His training at Chamonix Hockey Club reveals a brilliant player and it is logical that it integrates the foward lign of the flag team at the age of 17 years. His time in junior category is crowned by 2 participations in the World Championships.
After 3 seasons with the Huskies from 1993 to 1996, he tried the adventure for a season with the Amiens Gothics, the Chamoniarde ice rink being unavailable because of flooding, and back to Chamonix for 2 seasons from 1997 to 1999.
He was elected best promising player of the championship at this escapade in Picardy.
In late 1999, he moved back to Amiens for 9 seasons, team with which he was crowned French champion in 2004.
At the end of the 2002-2003 season during which he made his biggest counter with 37 points, he received the Hassler Trophy which rewards the best French player of the championship.
After a short stint in Morzine in 2008-2009, the Penguins coach Stéphane GROS leaving for Chamonix takes him packing.
This return to the Mont-Blanc will mark the final stage of a busy career: 22 Championships in France punctuated by numerous international caps. Besides his involvement in 13 senior world championships between 1997 and 2011, he wore the tricolor jersey in Nagano Winter Olympics, Japan in 1998 and Salt Lake City in the USA in 2002.
Chamois ' Fans hoped for the comeback of Laurent and his presence between 2009 and 2015 the team that saw him start was much appreciated by all. During those six seasons, his experience and vista have made him a key asset in the game of Chamonix.
In the early forties, despite a still impressive athletic potential, he decided to hang up his skates for a new direction in his professional life. A wise and courageous decision that can only arouse respect.
Without a doubt, number 28 will leave his mark in the history of CHC.
With a solid template, fast and efficient, always demonstrating a total abnegation for his team, he regaled the audience with a very nice looking skating.
Discreet and very endearing, and it has always been respected and valued by its partners, and all those who were lucky to know him.
One can bet that his seriousness and all the qualities that he displayed in his hockey career will be keys to success in the new path he is drawn.
The Chamonix Hockey Club warmly thank him for his investment in the Chamois and wish him well for the future.
THANK YOU LAURENT !!!