Many in the Mauricie hockey world are deeply regretting the controversial departure of Quebec Major Junior Hockey League commissioner Gilles Courteau.
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The Shawinigan mayor who knows him believes he was treated unfairly. “We needed a sacrifice. So the People’s Court has spoken. The politicians have spoken. The media has been talking about it, which means that for Mr Courteau we are wrecking everything he has done, for a single participation in a commission,” the insurgent Michel Angers.
Ex-coach Michel Bergeron agrees. “There are people who may never have set foot in a QMJHL arena. It’s her moment of glory to go on TV for 30 seconds and rant against Gilles Courteau. You have no right,” the man nicknamed Tiger roared.
The former Shawinigan Cataractes general manager and coach felt that Gilles Courteau has done a lot to create a healthier environment for players to thrive. “It is true that very unfortunate things have happened, but we must also highlight what is being done to counter what has happened and make this a league that is healthy for the players and their development. We often say to each other that it is a school of life and I am a witness to it, it has produced excellent personalities,” Denis Francoeur testified. He notes that the avant-garde approach to player coaching that he pioneered in Shawinigan in the ’90s has spread to the league under the leadership of Gilles Courteau.