The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate extended the contracts of their coaching staff.
On Wednesday, the Laval Rocket announced that they agreed to multi-year contract extensions with coach Jean-Francois Houle, assistant coach Martin Laperriere, goaltending coach Marco Marciano and video coach Charles Juneau.
“I felt that I had the organization’s confidence. I’m grateful and excited to have the opportunity to continue working with the organization’s young players,” Houle said on Wednesday when meeting the media via videoconference.
“Jean-François Houle has done an excellent job as the head coach of the Laval Rocket since being hired in 2021. He and his staff have demonstrated the ability to balance team performance with player development, establishing both a competitive culture and an ideal environment for the growth and maturation of our young players," Rocket general John Sedgwick said via press release.
"His teams have made two playoff appearances in three years, including a Calder Cup semifinal appearance in 2021-22, and Jean-François and his staff have done a commendable job preparing numerous players for the jump to the National Hockey League over that time. His strong values, attention to detail and dedication to his craft, combined with over 20 years of coaching experience in four different leagues, make Houle the ideal fit for the Laval Rocket and Montreal Canadiens. The AHL represents a critical step in the development of many future NHL players, and we are confident that Jean-François is the right person to continue to oversee that process,” added Sedgwick.
Houle was named the bench boss for the 2021-22 season following the organization and Joel Bouchard parted ways. He came to Laval after spending six seasons as an assistant coach with the Bakersfield Condors, AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers.
Organization's Confidence
The 49-year-old's contract was set to expire on June 30th. He led the team this past season without knowing the organization's intentions moving forward.
While there was some hints that management was satisfied with Houle's work, the negotiations between both sides had not begun when the season ending media availability took place on Sunday, April 21st.
Martin St. Louis praised on the readiness of the recalled players from Laval have been when needed. During an interview with BPM Sports in April, Sedgwick mentioned that they were happy with the coaching staff and the progression of players.
“In pro hockey, it’s something that happens often," Houle noted about working on an expiring contract. He has been talking with the Rocket general manager every second day for the past five weeks. "I was very confident that we would settle this. It allowed John and I to extensively evaluate our players, our staff, our support staff, and the people that help us with development. It was good for John and I to sit down and plan things.”
Living in the Present
At conclusion of the season, Houle made his desire to return to Laval known. He has been around the Canadiens organization for his entire life. His father Rejean played 11 seasons with the Canadiens and won five Stanley Cups. When his playing career ended, Rejean held several roles with the club, including general manager for six years, and currently serves as the president of the alumni.
“The only team I was interested was to return with the Laval Rocket. I’m really happy here and I think the organization is on the right path. It was important for me to finish developing the players that are here now and those coming in the future. I wanted to stay with the Montreal Canadiens,” Houle pronounced after signing his new deal.
While the official communication did not divulge the duration of the contract, Houle confirmed that it is a three-year extension.
The American Hockey League (AHL) not only serves as a development league for players, but also grooms coaches. Houle feels that since joining the professional level as a coach, he has improved on in-game adjustments, managing players, and handling the ever-changing rosters that occur daily in the AHL.
While a job in the National Hockey League (NHL) is still an objective, the Charlesbourg, Quebec native is not constantly looking at his mobile for that phone call.
“I’m a patient man. I think it’s important to enjoy the present moment where you are right now, and that’s what I intend to do. If there’s an opportunity that arises within this organization or another organization, I’m always there to listen. I try not to look too far. I live in the present quite a bit. I stress that with our players as well to try to take it one game at a time and live in the present. I try to follow that rule.”
Canadiens Connection via YouTube
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Recruiting a New Assistant
With Kelly Buchberger's recent departure from the Laval Rocket that allowed him to be closer to home, a new assistant coach will be joining Houle behind the bench. The search has not begun yet. It will be a joint decision made between management and Houle.
"It's important to find the right person. We want a person that aligns in our values. We will take our time with that. We're not in a hurry. There's nothing that starts until the month of September. We have the summer to look at different candidates for that role," commented Houle.
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