Roy says goodbye to Remparts; Canadiens dismiss two therapists; Andlauer becomes new owner of the Senators.
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Medical Team Changes
A Montreal Canadiens spokesperson confirmed a rumor that was circulating on social media on Tuesday stating that the team has made changes to their training staff. Head Athletic Therapist, Graham Rynbend and Head Physiotherapist, Donald Balmforth, will not be back with the team.
Rynbend has considerable experience, having served for 19 seasons with the Canadiens. Balmforth has been the head physiotherapist since 2017 after a decade of working as a consulting physiotherapist for the team.
With the Canadiens hit hard by injuries for the past two season, vice-president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes pledged to investigate the situation and make changes.
"We led the league in man games lost last year and I think we broke the record this year, so we're pretty mindful of it and we'll spend a lot of time trying to figure out where we've got to get better," said Gorton at his end of season media availability. "It's definitely something that's not lost on us."
The Montreal Canadiens registered 751 man-games lost to injury during the 2022-23 season. This followed 731 man-games lost in 2021-22.
Roy is a Free Agent
Montreal Canadiens legend Patrick Roy has resigned as general manager and head coach of the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. Roy guided the Remparts to a Memorial Cup championship on June 4th.
Roy made the announcement that he was leaving junior hockey at a news conference on Tuesday. The Hockey Hall of Famer had been in his second stint as the GM and head coach of the Remparts since 2018-19. This past season Roy led his team to a record of 53-12-1-2, a QMJHL Championship and the franchise's third Memorial Cup.
"In life, you must be able to leave at the right time," said Roy on Tuesday. "Today, I can leave my positions and say ‘Mission accomplished.'"
The former head coach of the Colorado Avalanche says that he hasn't heard from NHL teams who were looking to fill coaching vacancies.
No matter. Roy will be soon depart for a golf tour of Scotland, Ireland, and Italy with friend and former Remparts President, Jacques Tanguay.
No Vacancy
With Ryan Huska introduced as the head coach of the Calgary Flames on Monday and Mike Babcock expected to land in Columbus, that left just one coaching vacancy in the NHL. Until today.
As expected, Peter Laviolette was announced as the head coach of the New York Rangers on Tuesday. It is the sixth NHL stop for the 58-year-old who has served as head coach for the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals. Laviolette won a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006.
"We are thrilled that Peter will be the next Head Coach of the New York Rangers," said Rangers general manager Chris Drury. "With Peter's extensive experience as a Head Coach in the National Hockey League, as well as the success his teams have had at several levels throughout his career, we are excited about what the future holds with him leading our team."
Laviolette replaces Gerard Gallant, fired by the Rangers on May 8th.
Sens Owned by a 'Hab'
On Tuesday, Senators Sports & Entertainment announced that a group led by Michael Andlauer has been selected to form the new ownership group of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club. A 10 per cent interest in the team will be retained by Anna and Olivia Melnyk.
According to Pierre LeBrun, the purchase price is around $950 million US.
"My family and I are very excited to be a part of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club," said Andlauer in a statement. "I believe that the Senators' fanbase is one of the most passionate in the league and I'm excited to take the franchise's success both on and off the ice to the next level."
Andlauer has owned a minority share in the Montreal Canadiens and has served as an alternate governor for the team since 2009. He is also the sole owner of the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League.
Canadian Grand Prix
It's F1 week in Montreal as the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix takes place at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Sunday. So what do you get when you combine a city known as the cradle of hockey with the premiere motorsports event?