From San Diego, California to Hartford, Connecticut and now Toronto, Canada with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, the PHPA has assisted forward Benoit Olivier-Groulx every step of the way as he continues his journey on a path he hopes will lead him back to the NHL.

“I’ve created a lot of relationships with the reps on the teams. They’ve been so good to us. Like, any time you have a question during the summer or during the year – you have to talk about different things – they’re always there. They support us,” Groulx said of the support he receives from the PHPA. “We can feel it in the room with the guys. They really support us, so I can’t be more thankful to have them in our corner.”

Born in Rouen, France, Groulx actually grew up playing hockey in Gatineau, Quebec before becoming a household name in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads (2016-20).

A 28-goal, 55-point season with Halifax in 2017-18 saw a then 18-year-old Groulx selected in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks where he later began his pro career with the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL) in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season.

After making his NHL debut with Anaheim in 2021-22 – appearing in 18 NHL games that season – Groulx spent the majority of the 2022-23 season in the AHL with San Diego before spending the following season as a full-time NHL player with the Ducks.

Groulx signed a one-year contract with the New York Rangers on the opening day of free agency in July 2024, and after a near point-per-game season with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack in 2024-25 joined the Toronto Maple Leafs organization via free agency this past summer – with Groulx inking a two-year contract and beginning the 2025-26 season with the Toronto Marlies.

“I think it was an easy choice for me. Toronto is always a team that I’ve looked at when I was younger,” Groulx explained of his decision to sign with the Maple Leafs organization, adding, “really competitive teams throughout the years in the NHL and the AHL.”

The aspect of playing on a team that’s competitive is noteworthy.

In his sixth season of pro hockey this year with the Toronto Marlies, Groulx has yet to experience the Calder Cup Playoffs.

“My goal was to, really just get here, have a good season with some really good players and make – and go far – in the playoffs,” Groulx said of his approach to joining a new team this fall.

After settling in with the Marlies, Groulx has certainly found his game – leading the Marlies in scoring with 17 goals and 11 assists for 28 points through 36 games this season, including nine goals in his last 12 games.

“I’m just trying to keep things really simple because I feel like if I’m trying too many moves, or I’m trying to make too many plays in the offensive zone, that’s where you kind of lose your game,” Groulx said of the adjustment process in the early part of the year. “I’m trying to build my game, gain some confidence in my game, and then those plays are going to show up for me.”