Let’s reconnect with J.F. Berube!

J.F. Berube, recalled prior to Saturday’s game against Anaheim, is now up in his second regular season stint with the club. You may remember that last year, in the middle of a standout American Hockey League season, he was recalled to Los Angeles over the Olympic break because Martin Jones was assigned to AHL-Manchester to remain sharp, and the CBA stipulates that NHL teams must have two goaltenders on their active roster at all times. So, apart from several practices that bookended the Olympics last February, Berube received a mid-season recess – as well as an NHL paycheck.

“Last year, it was more of a break and obviously it was good to be here and just practice with the pros and just see where my game was at and try to improve at some little points,” he said. “It was a good learning experience just coming down. You learn a lot when you’re here and I try to bring that with me to Manchester.”

Whatever his approach with Monarchs is, it’s working. Inappropriately absent from the league’s All-Star Game rosters, the fourth-year pro selected in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Draft has improved every season and is putting up all-star caliber numbers in 2014-15, going 19-4-3 with a 2.05 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and two shutouts in 27 games for Manchester (26-10-3-2), which leads the Eastern Conference and ranks second in the AHL with 57 points.

Berube said that team chemistry has sustained the Kings’ top farm team this season.

“All three lines, four lines I would say, are doing such a good job,” he said. “That chemistry is really good. Obviously, right now we’re hurting a little bit. Our key players are out. But I think our work ethic is really what stands out. We’re a hard working team. I’m sure other teams hate to play against us because we battle hard and I think that’s what brings us success.”

J.F. Berube, on learning he’d be called up to the NHL:
That was right after the game in Worcester. I was kind of surprised. Everything happened real quick, just took a flight early in the morning and made it on time for the game.

Berube, on the jersey retirement ceremony before Saturday’s game:
It was good timing for it. It was pretty special to be there. Blakey is a really good guy and it was fun to be part of it.

Berube, on sitting on the bench for the Kings-Ducks rivalry:
It’s always intense against the Ducks. I was just trying to enjoy it and stay ready if anything happened. It’s still a hockey game. It’s just a little quicker, a little faster, and it’s good to be here.

Berube, on what he would tell people about Nick Shore’s style of play:
The other team – don’t give him the puck in the slot because he’s going to bury it. He’s got a really good shot. He’s a really smart player. He makes really good passes, good vision, he’s quick, he’s got all the assets to be here.

Berube, on how much better he is compared to a year ago:
I don’t know, you tell me. I think I improved a lot of little details. At this point in my game, it’s all about little details. I think I’ve learned my game a lot, just little stuff, nothing that really stands out. I try to be quicker, try to, like I said, pay attention to details.

Berube, on recently missing a short period of time in the AHL:
I was a little hurt, but I’m fine. [It was] nothing serious.