When you’ve been in hockey for three decades and hope to one day get the chance to manage an NHL team, you jump at the opportunity when it comes. And that regardless of the circumstances.
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Pascal Vincent made this decision in recent days when Jarmo Kekalainen offered him to replace Mike Babcock as head coach of the Columbus Blues Jackets. Remember, Babcock resigned on Saturday, just days after his controversial methods were criticized by the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast.
“The last few days have been difficult,” the 51-year-old hockey player admitted during a press conference in Columbus that was rebroadcast on the Blue Jackets’ website. But what do you do when faced with adversity as an individual, as a coach and as a team? You face it and move forward. We will do that. »
The former Manitoba Moose pilot was hired as Brad Larsen’s associate coach prior to the 2021-2022 season and quickly developed a sense of belonging with the organization. The turmoil into which she has been plunged in recent days has left her somewhat shaken.
“It was difficult,” he repeated. I have been working toward becoming an NHL head coach for 30 years. It was a long process. But I am a team person and I care about people. Therefore, it was not easy to watch the team go through this ordeal. »
Martin Chevalier / JdeM
Babcock’s plan
With Blue Jackets training camp starting Thursday, Vincent won’t have much time to get the machine running again. But he assures it won’t be a daunting task. Ultimately, he worked with Babcock and the other assistant coaches throughout the summer to establish structure and strategy. Just because Babcock uses questionable methods doesn’t mean he’s lost the ideas that allowed him to win the Stanley Cup and lead Canada to the Olympic gold medal in Sochi.
“Mike is a good coach. We met several times over the summer. “We created several scenarios about the game system we wanted to use and the state of mind we wanted to start the season in,” said Vincent, whose relations with Babcock have always been friendly. There will be some changes, but I will keep a good portion of what we have established. »
Vincent believes the fact that he already knows the players well will also help him with this rapid change. In addition, he does not believe that the events of the last few days will lead to coldness or disunity within the group.
“I know the boys and I know they all care about the team. You worked hard this summer. “You deserve to be ready,” Vincent said. In addition, my door was always open for my players. Sometimes this leads to tough discussions. But when players know you care about their well-being, any gray areas are eliminated. »
Craig Robertson/Toronto Sun
“Pascal is ready”
Because of this turn of events, many say that Kekalainen should have given the position to Vincent in the initial hiring process. A mistake that the Blue Jackets general manager recognized.
“I thought Mike Babcock deserved another chance to lead the NHL. It was a mistake and I take full responsibility for it,” said the Finn.
“Pascal is ready. He was already a serious candidate for this position. We are fortunate to have him at the helm of our team,” he added.
Vincent will now have two seasons to help this young team progress. The Jackets have not made the playoffs since 2020. Last year they finished 31st overall.