Laval Rocket Hire Pascal Vincent as Head Coach

Laval native hired to coach his hometown team

The Laval Rocket and General Manager John Sedgwick announced that Pascal Vincent has been hired as the new head coach of the Montreal Canadiens' AHL affiliate Rocket. 

Vincent was an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets for two seasons before being promoted to head coach weeks before the 2023-24 season after the team fired Mike Babcock. He lead the team to a record of 27-43-12 under strange circumstances.  

The Laval, QC, native began his career in the NHL as an assistant with the Winnipeg Jets from 2011-12 through the 2015-16 season. 

After entering the QMJHL as an assistant in 1994-95, Vincent went on to coach QMAAA for four seasons before returning to the QMJHL. He then spent the next 12 seasons as GM and Head Coach of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Montreal Juniors. 

The 52-year-old has experience in the AHL, he was head coach of the Manitoba Moose after his time with Winnipeg for five seasons from 2016-17 through 2020-21. 

With the Canadiens looking to turn a corner in their rebuild Vincent will be responsible for developing Montreal's top prospects and helping Laval return to the playoffs after they finished last in the AHL's North Division last season. 

Vincent has a Maurice Filion Trophy as QMJHL General Manager of the Year, a Ron Lapointe Trophy as QMJHL Coach of The Year, and a Louis AR Pieri Memorial Award as AHL Coach of the Year on his resume. He also won a U18 Gold Medal as an assistant with team Canada in 2002-03. 

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