For Chris Terry, team success matters most

LAVAL - Chris Terry is enjoying an excellent season with the Laval Rocket.

In 36 games so far this year, the forward boasts a team-leading 19 goals and 41 points. And, heading into Thursday night's action, he sits atop the AHL ranks in both offensive categories.
Numbers like that earned him a spot at the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic, along with defenseman Matt Taormina. It's an honor that makes Terry particularly proud.
The Rocket have had their fair share of ups and downs during their first year of existence, like new franchises often do in the AHL. It hurt to lose key players like captain Byron Froese and Nicolas Deslauriers to recalls by the Canadiens.
"As an older guy, you're pegged as a leader, but I haven't tried to change much. I'm not a guy who's "ra ra" and barking orders. I'd rather let my play speak for me. There are a lot of great leaders in this room. We've lost Froese and Deslauriers for a while now, and other guys are stepping up. [Adam] Cracknell has come in and done a great job. For me, being a leader is being there if guys have questions or concerns, helping them to understand better," mentioned the 28-year-old Ontario native.
Even if he considers himself a leader, Terry still didn't want to assume Froese's spot, even if he sported the "C" for just two games in early November.
"It's different not to have one guy, but between myself, Cracknell and Taormina - being the three oldest guys and being the leaders - other guys have stepped up not only to wear letters but to be voices in the locker room. You can't replace one guy like that - Froese is irreplaceable - but you can replace him with multiple people," explained Terry.

Averaging a little over one point per game, Terry is in the midst of compiling the best season of his AHL career. But, he isn't taking anything for granted production-wise.
"They say you're on pace for this and that, but I don't think it's as easy [as that]. After January, the league tightens up a lot harder, the games become a lot harder, and they mean a lot more coming down the stretch for the playoffs. Games are harder, and it's not as easy to score. I'm not focused on setting personal records," he admitted.
"My biggest focus is not only getting into the playoffs, but winning in the playoffs. Last year, we snuck in and we had a good first series but lost. I don't want to just sneak in and be bounced out in the first round. I want this team to have a deep playoff run," added Terry.
Even if his primary focus is on the success of the group as a whole, Terry is well aware of his standing among the league's top point-getters.
"I know where I'm at, but that's not a focus. There's no reward to winning that. When teams have success, everyone personally will have success. If we're winning games, everyone's personal success - not only myself - whether it's scoring or playing different roles in different situations, will come into play. In the long term, that helps everybody," said Terry, who suited up for 14 games last season with the Canadiens, scoring two goals and picking up two assists.
That's why Terry takes so much more pride in his overall game than just his point total.
"I think I've had good stretches of play. The numbers will say that with points, but it goes beyond that. The way I've played away from the puck and on the defensive side of the puck has been better. The goal is to continue to keep winning. I want to do what I can to help that," concluded Terry.