By Julian Mackenzie (The Athletic)
In the moments after the Laval Rocket secured the American Hockey League’s Canadian Division crown via a 4-3 overtime loss to the Toronto Marlies on May 4, Joël Bouchard deferred to the players when asked about his team’s success. But he did acknowledge that his “vision” and coaching style have had their share of detractors.
He’s been described as an “intense” coach, but he displays passion for his players. Some feel that passion, specifically physical, might not be the best way to handle players at the professional level. But it has brought him success to this point in his coaching career.
“I was told all the time it wouldn’t work in the pros,” he said. “‘It won’t work what you’re doing. It’s going well with your junior team and your players, but at the professional level it won’t work.”
It has worked. Bouchard’s Rocket saw their record improve in each of his three seasons behind the bench, culminating in a record of 23-9-3-1 with a points percentage of .694 and a division title in a pandemic-shortened 2021 campaign.
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