Sun Journal: Being from the U.S., when did it first occur to you that, A, the QMJHL existed, and B, that you wanted to play here?

Max Gratchev: Growing up, I always went to Boston College games, and I grew up watching the NCAA and wanting to play there. When I was 14 or 15, I went to a few games in Quebec in the playoffs, and I was impressed. It was such a great atmosphere for hockey. I thought about it, and I thought this would be the best for my development, and ultimately get me to the NHL.

SJ: What was it like playing in Rimouski?

MG: It’s obviously a big hockey town, they’re crazy about their hockey. It was great playing there, I had a few great coaches, and overall it was a great atmosphere.

SJ: It seemed like the Quebec Remparts were USA-North while you were there. What was that like?

MG: It definitely helped make my decision to go there. I was good friends with Josh Hennessy, who was the captain up there. I felt comfortable there, it was a great decision and I got to learn a lot.

SJ: When you see things like last year’s goalie fight with Jonathan Roy, and more recently the cross check by Frederick Roy, does that change your opinion of that family, having been around them for a while?

MG: It doesn’t change my opinion of the family at all. I think that’s hockey, and things like that happen. That’s the game. I think that’s one of the things that makes hockey the greatest game in the world. It’s a rough sport, and you never know what’s going to happen.

SJ: It’s been a rough go of it on the year as a whole. What’s it going to take for this team to turn around a bit?

MG: It’s a young team, and the guys are learning a lot every day. In the next few years, the team is going to be an awesome team to potentially win the Cup with. Eventually, we know we’re going to start putting some wins together here. Everyone is working so hard.

SJ: On the personal level, the last few games have been great for you. Do you feel you’ve found your stride?

MG: I’ve found a lot of chemistry with (Michael) Chaput and (Marc) Bourgeois. Some parts of our game are coming together as a team, and that’s really important. The power play is coming along well, and factors like that help me put up points.