Patrick Boileau begrudgingly concluded that he may be nothing more than a career minor league hockey player.

After seven years with the Washington Capitals organization, the former Portland Pirates defenseman tasted little success at the National Hockey League level. Last season, though, Boileau found a new lease on his hockey life.

Boileau was signed by the Detroit Red Wings organization and split time between the Red Wings and their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids.

“It was a big taste – a huge taste,” said Boileau. “It was unbelievable. I couldn’t ask for anything better. They were probably the best hockey team in the world. I scored the same night Brett Hull scored his 700th goal. I had the game-winner.”

Boileau sought different opportunity with another organization last year and found success with the Red Wing organization. He played 25 games with Detroit and 23 with Grand Rapids.

“I loved playing with those guys – (Nicklas) Lidstrom, (Steve) Yzerman, (Luc) Robitaille,” said Boileau of the Red Wings, with whom he had two goals and six assists. “It was like a dream.”

Detroit offered Boileau a new contract over the summer, but Boileau didn’t expect much opportunity with the Red Wings, especially with the addition of Derian Hatcher on defense.

“I knew I didn’t have a chance there,” said Boileau. “My agent and I talked about it, and Pittsburgh came at the end of the summer with an offer. So we jumped on it.”

After signing a one-year deal with the Penguins, Boileau stuck with the club for much of training camp before being assigned to Wilkes-Barre at the end of their slate of preseason games last week.

Boileau, who was with Pittsburgh when it played Washington in an exhibition game in Portland last weekend, figured he was on the bubble. Even if he started the year in Wilkes-Barre, he knew he could work his way back to the Penguins lineup.

“They have a young team,” said the 28-year old Boileau. “I’m not that young anymore, but I know that’s a team that wants to rebuild and have a new start. Hopefully, I can fit in.”

Boileau, who was drafted in the third round, 69th overall in 1993 by Washington, only played seven games with the Caps. After a sensational year in Portland in 2001-2002, where he scored 17 goals and had 19 assists in 75 games, Boileau knew any chance he had at finding a place in the NHL was going to come outside the Washington organization. Former Pirates coach and current Washington assistant Glen Hanlon even encouraged Boileau to look elsewhere, still believing Boileau could play at the NHL level.

“I was just hoping for a new start,” said Boileau. “When you’re in a place for so long like I was with Washington, they knew everything I was going to do. I couldn’t impress them anymore. With Detroit, everything was new. They knew what I could do, but I could show them (as well).”

Seeing significant time at the NHL level made Boileau rethink his conclusion about being a career minor leaguer.

“Luc Robitaille told me at the end of last year, ‘Now you know you can play in the NHL. You should be an NHL player,’ ” said Boileau. “So now my mindset has changed. Before, when I was in Portland, I thought I was a minor league player. Now I know I can play at the NHL level.”

Coming into camp this season, Boileau was more determined than ever. He has confidence in his game and isn’t content with an AHL assignment.

“Now my focus is different,” he said. “Before I’d go to training camp for Washington, and I was just going to the training camp and showing up to get ready for the season. Now I’m here to make the team. That’s my only goal.”

Though starting the year with Wilkes-Barre was a bit disappointing, it wasn’t unexpected. Pittsburgh’s acquistion of former Pirates defenseman Nolan Baumgartner muddies the depth on the Penguins’ blue line even more.

Boileau won’t worry about those decisions. He says he’s focusing on his game and waiting for a chance he expects will come.

“I try not to think about that,” he said. “I just try to play my game as simple as I can.”

Kevin Mills is a staff writer and can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].