Two years and a little less than four months after joining as general manager of Hockey Quebec, Jocelyn Thibault is leaving his position. Angered by the sluggishness of the organizational structure and constant opposition from the regions, Thibault will officially depart in June and be replaced by former NHL referee Stéphane Auger.
• Also read: If Thibault didn't succeed, who will?
The news came as a surprise. Finally, Thibault arrived in November 2021 and brought a breath of fresh air to the provincial ice hockey association. Internally, the vast majority of those involved were very satisfied with his work and, above all, with his desire to push forward a comprehensive reform of work processes.
Archive photo, Stevens LeBlanc
But Thibault quickly realized that this reform would not be as easy as he would have liked. Significant resistance at the level of regional organizations led to the fact that it was simply impossible to move the huge ship of the line, whose helm he helmed, or at least not at the desired speed.
“I felt like I was in a minefield. There is no predictability and we are constantly in crisis management. We must succeed in improving the leadership of our committees, and that is a risk that I could no longer take. Unpredictability is extremely uncertain for a manager.”
Asked a few times to specifically explain how this unpredictability was reflected on the ground, Thibault preferred not to “throw anyone under the bus.”
A heavy structure
Thibault has often lamented the cumbersome nature of Quebec hockey's structure. In summary, Hockey Quebec is governed by a board of directors and employs just over 20 people at its headquarters in Montreal. However, each of Quebec's 14 administrative regions has its own body, which manages the activities of its sector almost independently and each has its own board of directors.
“Everyone is a little bit their own master,” explains Thibault. When you’re at a certain altitude, you no longer have control over the direction you want to go.”
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Therefore, it became extremely difficult for Thibault to move everyone in the same direction, since he had to constantly face resistance from these bodies that were used to managing themselves and were often resistant to change.
“I felt like I was in a rowboat, with no oars and very rough seas.”
Collaborate
However, Thibault does not report complete failure.
He is “disappointed with himself” for not being able to fulfill his mandate as he would have liked and assures that Hockey Quebec is going in the right direction and will get to the promised land, but slower than expected.
“During my tenure, I quickly realized that it would be a marathon, but also a relay race. I am convinced that Hockey Quebec will succeed. I see it, so many good things are happening.”
Under Thibault's rule, governance reform was initiated in the headquarters board.
“I don’t understand why we couldn’t do it at the provincial level,” he believes.
Therefore, he will be busy completing his mandate to set the Federation's key strategic directions until June before officially leaving.
Too much for one person?
In connection with this governance reform, Hockey Quebec has decided to split the position of general manager into two parts. That's why they announced the hiring of Stéphane Auger as Executive Director of Operations. In addition, another leadership position will be created for the development and promotion of ice hockey.
Stéphane Auger archive photo, QMI Agency
Auger sees this challenge with enthusiasm. The latter witnessed internal conflicts that set back school hockey and laid the foundation for the integration of the LHPS and the LHIQ into the Quebec Student Sports Network (RSEQ). An experience that drives him to believe that even in the conservative world of ice hockey it is possible to mobilize everyone for a common project.
“When we wanted to harmonize school hockey, everyone was stuck in their positions. We need to bring everyone together, discuss and see how we can all work together. I don’t have a one-size-fits-all solution, but we will sit down with stakeholders and push forward the various issues.”
Since last November, Auger has served as director of refereeing, player safety and regulation at Hockey Quebec.