Laval Rocket Assistant Coach Kelly Buchberger Not Returning

There is a growing cloud of uncertainty surrounding the future of the coaching staff of the Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate following the departure of Kelly Buchberger.

The Laval Rocket announced on Friday that Kelly Buchberger will not return as assistant coach for the 2024-25 season. Buchberger joined the club as part of Jean-Francois Houle's staff for the past three seasons. Prior to joining the Canadiens AHL affiliate, he coached the WHL's Tri-City Americans for three years. 

The 57-year-old's main responsibility was to oversee the defensemen. He was heavily involved in the development of prospects at the blue line notably Logan Mailloux, Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, and spent a lot of time in the video room with David Reinbacher when he joined the team at the tail end of the season. 

With 1,182 NHL games under his belt, Buchberger had the respect of the players in the locker room. The two-time Stanley Cup winner spent 18 seasons in the NHL for five teams before spending the majority of the past 19 years behind the bench, including six as an assistant with the Edmonton Oilers and one with the New York Islanders. 

The former winger accepted the role of inaugural Head Coach and General Manager for the Devon Xtreme of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. 

In a statement, Buchberger reacted to his new appointment. "I am excited to join NAX and Devon Xtreme of the Alberta Junior Hockey League! I would like to thank the ownership group for the opportunity and look forward to building an inclusive, competitive culture. We as an organization, will build a team that will develop young men into great hockey players and even better people. 

Our coaching staff will be open and honest with our players to ensure we are all on the same page. We want players to enjoy their time in Devon and to fulfill their dreams of becoming elite hockey players. Also, we will never forget that we were players at one time. It is a hard road to realize those dreams and we will be there for our players. Go Xtreme! Go NAX!”

Buchberger's contract with the Rocket was set to expire on June 30th. Head coach Jean-Francois Houle and assistant Martin Laperriere are in the same situation. 

The trio was hired during Marc Bergevin's tenure and the current management team might use this window to head in a different direction. 

Talks between Houle and management had not begun when the end of year media availabilities were held.

"I been here for three years and I like being here. I think our staff has done a good job at having good relationships with the players. We did really well with with the players, the players like being here. We made the playoffs the last two years. We didn't this year but I feel like we made some headway with our team and players like to be here," Houle stated. 

The organization has been vague about their AHL's affiliate coaching staff future. 

"I will answer that question when the season ends but we're happy with the (coaching) group. The young players are getting better, the team is competitive," Rocket general manager and Canadiens assistant general manager John Sedgwick told BPM Sports in an interview on April 7th. 

At the Canadiens end of season press conference, Kent Hughes limited himself to stating that the coaching staff will be met after the conclusion of their season. 

Be sure to bookmark THN.com/Montreal for year-round coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Habs prospects playing in leagues around the world.