Winnipeg Jets recruit QMJHL coach Pascal Vincent as new assistant coach –NHL offseason Update
It looks like Winnipeg Jets have added the last piece to their coaching staff puzzle by hiring head coach of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s (QMJHL), Montreal Juniors, as their new assistant coach, announced Jets' management on Friday, July 22.
Most considerations made before Vincent when the positions of head coach and such needed to be filled, people who Kevin Cheveldayoff knew would be shortlisted and further approved, but according to the 39-year-old minor league coach, he was clueless on why
they selected him.
"In this business, like in every business I guess, it's people you know", Vincent said in a conference call Friday afternoon. "I know a lot of people in the NHL but I didn't know Claude, didn't know Mr. Cheveldayoff, didn't know anyone, actually. So that's
why I was quite surprised. But it's a small world at the same time and those people were looking for a young, dynamic coach".
Pascal Vincent is believed to have inked a two-year contract with the new National Hockey League (NHL) franchise and will performing under also newly hired head coach, Claude Noel, who headed the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Vincent carries along with him over 12 seasons of coaching in the QMJHL, including teams like Montreal Juniors and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
Last season, Vincent led Juniors to the number-two spot in the QMJHL with the second best record (46-12-10) and boasts an all-time record of 429-313-87.
There probably are not enough words to describe how Vincent felt after being notified about Winnipeg’s decision.
"It's a privilege, it's an honour". Vincent said of his new position. "Obviously, it's a dream coming true for a coach or a player when you reach the best League in the world, it's always very special".
Changing positions from being a head coach and general manager to assistant coach might take time to adjust for Vincent, but according to him, he certainly is willing to do all that he can to take the new team further and beyond than expected before.
Working under Claude Noel is once in a lifetime opportunity and he is not ready to give that up.
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