There is never an identical path to reach the NHL as a head coach. For one Martin St-Louis, who moves from coaching his boys team to the Montreal Canadiens, there are hundreds of coaches driving down the gravel road.
Pascal Vincent is one of those who took the long way. He took over as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 17 amid the turmoil.
Mike Babcock, who was hired by the Blue Jackets on July 1, resigned shortly before camp began. Babcock had closed the chapter on his return to the NHL before he even officiated his first game in Columbus. After the Spitti’n Chiclets podcast aired on the radio, he became embroiled in controversy and demanded to see some of his players’ phones to look at photos.
“I don’t remember!” Vincent replied when we talked to him again about that storm that hit Ohio in September.
After this little joke, the 52-year-old went into a little more detail.
“It took four days to open the camp,” he recalled. It’s been a difficult week. We have to go back. I applied for the head coaching position with the Blue Jackets but didn’t get the job. It took me a week to process my feelings. I wasn’t happy. But I know myself. After a week I said enough was enough. I could stay or go. I decided to stay. I decided to fully invest myself. And I was with Mike (Babcock). We talked all summer. I visited him at home and he visited me in Columbus. We talked about hockey. He’s a great hockey mind. »
“When this story broke, we were surprised,” he continued. I found it difficult. But in the profession we work in, we have to adapt very quickly. Due to time constraints, if it was going to happen, it was better that it happened before camp. »
A special moment
Vincent will lead a seventh game as head coach of the Blue Jackets. However, this will be his first-ever game against the Canadian on the ice at the Bell Centre.
“We have been here many times in the past. I was there behind the bench. But now my role has changed. It will be special for me, but it will be special for my whole family. I grew up watching the Canadiens on TV on Saturday nights. After two hours I had to go to bed. I grew up with Guy Lafleur, Jacques Lemaire and Mark Recchi, who is now with us as an assistant in Columbus. »
Photo Martin Chevalier
In the past, Vincent served at the NHL level as an assistant with the Winnipeg Jets (2011-2012 to 2015-2016) and as an assistant with the Blue Jackets (2021-2022 to 2022-2023).
Between the two jobs, he furthered his professional knowledge as head coach of the Manitoba Moose for five seasons in the American League.
“I had Pascal when I started as a professional at the Moose and I learned a lot from him,” said CH defender Johnathan Kovacevic. I have always loved Passy (Pascal). He gave me a lot of good values as a player but also as a teammate. He is a great coach. I’m so happy for him. He rolled over before he got his chance. »
From the Saint Jean Lynx to the Blue Jackets
When asked about the symbolism of a first game in Montreal as an NHL head coach, Vincent spoke about his first opportunity in the profession.
“This represents 30 years of effort,” he said. There are times when you doubt and question yourself. You wonder if it will ever happen. My biggest dream in life was to become an NHL hockey player. At 21, I realized that wasn’t going to happen. I wasn’t good enough. I had decided to go back to school. But I received a call from Claude Thérien. At the time, he was the coach of the Saint-Jean Lynx in the QMJHL. He invited me to become an assistant. I tried it. I told myself that one year (1994-1995) wouldn’t change my academic career too much. But it’s been 30 years now, I’ve never been fired. »
“It represents sacrifice. But not necessarily from me. In the morning I get up and go to the arena. I get paid for it. It’s incredible. But these are sacrifices for the people who love you and the people around you. You have to leave the house and move away. There is also stress in this job. All paths are different. »