Montreal Canadiens: Jöel Bouchard named new Laval Rocket head coach
The Montreal Canadiens continue their revamping of their management group hiring Jöel Bouchard to be the new head coach of the Laval Rocket.
We have a move made by the Montreal Canadiens that comes as no surprise to anyone. When the Laval Rocket finished last in the AHL, it was obvious that changes needed to be made.
Sylvain Lefebvre was in charge of the minor league team for years and had nothing but a first-round exit in 2017 to show for it. The focus in the organization was moving to youth and development. Because of that, a new face needed to be in charge.
Jöel Bouchard was one of the names linked to take on the mantle of Laval head coach. Dominique Ducharme was part of that as well, but he was hired as a new assistant head coach behind the Habs coach. It’s now official. Bouchard is the second head coach in Laval Rocket history.
Again, this isn’t shocking at all. It was revealed that Bouchard and Marc Bergevin had met hinting at him joining the organization in some capacity. The announcement was most likely put on hold until after his season with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada came to an end.
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Bouchard’s end of the year press conference showed signs of it being his final one. He thanked the players, the staff, and the fans who he had associated with for three seasons. The next step for him will be the realm of professional hockey.
He’s going to have familiar faces with him at training camp as the Habs signed his captain Alexandre Alain to an entry-level contract. Additionally, former players T.J. Melancon and Morgan Adams-Moisan were brought in on AHL deals who Bouchard has experience with.
With the number of new young talent set to join Laval next season, this is nothing short of another great move by the Montreal Canadiens. Bouchard is a smart and structured hockey man who knows how to bring the best out of his players.
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Fans used to worry about how Habs prospects were being brought up and grown. That concern should be thrown out the window with Bouchard in charge.