It's not easy being the 13th forward.
On the one hand, you're an NHL player. One of very few and you're getting paid to play the sport you love.
But on the other, you're putting in the same amount of work and practice time as your teammates, yet, for most games, you're taking in the game from up above rather than at ice-level.
That role as the 13th forward has been the fate of Carolina Hurricanes winger Brendan Lemieux who's played in less than half (9) of the team's total games this season.
"He's been really good about it," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "I think he's learned over the years and certainly matured as a player. It's a tough role to be in when you're that guy."
Lemieux, who was signed to a one-year deal this offseason in order to bring a bit more grit to Carolina's lineup, has been the odd-man out so far this season.
Even when forward Andrei Svechnikov was still awaiting his return, more often than not, Lemieux was still sitting as the team ran out an 11-7 lineup.
But Lemieux hasn't let the lack of playing time bother him. Instead, he's fully bought into the culture in Raleigh, and it's all because of the man behind the bench.
"I'm just blessed to be in a place where I have a coach who takes good care of me," Lemieux said. "You can always tell the difference between a guy who cares and one who doesn't. I can tell Roddy cares about us as people and as players. I have all the time in the world for a coach like that, so I'm just happy to be here around this group. It's a really good, deep group and I want to help contribute later in the season and in the playoffs. If it means sitting out games and waiting for my chances, so be it."
Normally known as a bit of a hothead on the ice, Lemieux has taken his role in stride, doing exactly what's been asked of him by the team, namely being a good teammate and working hard in practices, while also bringing his own unique flair to the locker room too.
"I just try to push the group and give everybody a laugh off the ice," Lemieux said. "Just enjoying my time contributing and being a depth guy."
It's a common sight at a Hurricanes' practices to see Lemieux chirping the other guys or roughhousing with the likes of Brent Burns or Jordan Martinook.
"He's a funny guy," said Canes forward Michael Bunting. "He's a great guy to have around the room and he's always talking and bringing the energy."
But there's also that more serious side to his work at practice as well. Whether it's running drills as a defenseman to help give Carolina four balanced pairs or slotting in whenever another forward is absent, Lemieux puts in the work.
Another key instance was when his teammate Jack Drury got into his first NHL fight against Nick Paul of the Tampa Bay Lightning in late October, the very next practice Lemieux was hanging back afterwards to give Drury some pointers.
Lemieux's been a reliable teammate for the group, so you can imagine everyone was pretty excited to see him get the chance to draw back in against the Philadelphia Flyers when Svechnikov fell under the weather.
And wouldn't you know it, not only did his line go out and dominate, Lemieux himself picked up the game-winning goal in his first game since Nov. 4.
"We have a really good group here and I'm happy to be here, so anytime I get a chance to play and contribute I'm excited about it," Lemieux said.
It wasn't the prettiest goal, but it was a well-earned one.
"Everyone was happy for him," Bunting said. "He's been out for a little bit here, but he's put the work in. He came in and I thought he had a great game every shift. I think that whole line was very effective every time they were out there. They were mostly in the offensive zone creating chances and creating havoc. It was nice that he was rewarded tonight."
Lemieux won't be a regular every night and, barring injuries, it would probably be a shock to see him even reach the 20-game mark this season, but if he keeps putting in the work and being ready for those moments he is called upon, he'll be a very important piece for this team.
"If he can handle it like he did tonight, it certainly bodes well for us," Brind'Amour said.
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