Simon Gagné on Thursday became the fourth general manager in the history of Quebec Remparts’ new generation, succeeding Raymond Bolduc, Philippe Boucher and Patrick Roy.
The challenge ahead is interesting: after enjoying a dream year in his first season with the team, he is now taking charge of the team in the first year of a rebuilding process. The Journal brings you a list of the Red Devils’ new hockey boss’s five top priorities.
1. Find a head coach
It is currently the top priority and the largest file on his desk. On Thursday, Gagné didn’t rule out any possibilities but assured that points will be crucial in his final decision.
“I have to have a good relationship with him and that we have the same vision. He must be aware of the four or five year plan we are embarking on which will be to rebuild a team, develop young people and be a good communicator.
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
When asked if he would like his head coach to be publicized, the new CEO remained reluctant before finalizing the profile of the candidate he was looking for.
“Out of respect for all applicants, I will not begin by naming names. A lot has happened lately and I want to take my time. “This is the first mandate I intend to take on as CEO and I will do everything I can to find the right candidate,” he replied with satisfaction when specifically asked if the current deputy of the Benoit Desrosiers team met his criteria .
The latter also expressed his interest in becoming head coach on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the press conference announcing the departures of Patrick Roy and Jacques Tanguay.
“After 11 years in junior hockey and the strides I’ve made as a coach over the past few years, this is definitely something interesting. Since I’ve been playing hockey, I’ve always let things go.
2. Add veterans to help the young players on the team
With the vast majority of the workforce leaving after winning the Memorial Cup, Simon Gagné is entering what will likely be a more difficult era for at least the next two years. He’s already busy preparing for the next training camp, hoping to enlist free agents from Ontario to help the youngsters joining the team.
“We will have a mix of veterans and young players. We have some gaps and I would like to bring in older players to help our youngest ones. I have conversations with people and trust that they will be positive.
3. Find a European player to complete the duo
The Remparts will rely on Russian defender Vsevolod Komarov next year and he is expected to play a crucial role in the team’s blue line. However, Simon Gagné will need to find another European player as Frantisek Ridzon’s experience last season was just 28 games.
Vsevolod Komarov DIDIER DEBUSCISSORS/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
The team’s chief scout, Marc Chamard, is already hard at work identifying the best candidates likely to be available in the CHL’s European draft on July 5th.
“We have 2-3 chances and we are advanced. We have more space up front than in defence, but we will take the player who suits us best.
4. Make sure you don’t lose the fan base gained in 2023
You never say never, but it would be quite surprising if the Remparts were a top team again next season. Star players will be less frequent and the show will likely be less exciting on some nights. It is important for Gagné that already this year fans can identify with certain young players in the team who will be part of the long-term solution.
“We have to give our fans a base to hold on to. Let there be new jerseys in the stands. Last year it was Malatesta, Bolduc, Gaucher, Savoie or Rochette that we saw on the web. It’s up to us there to take the guys and let them grow with us so that people will bond with them.
5. family
We put it 5th, but clearly this point could have been first. Gagne made no secret of the fact that his decision to only take on the general manager position without including the head coaching role in his job description was due to his family.
“The decision I made is related to the world of hockey, but also to my family,” admitted Gagné on Thursday, who was able to count on the presence of several members of his family at the press conference, including his wife Karine, his son Matthew and daughters Lily-Rose and Juliette.
Simon Gagné surrounded by his wife Karine, son Matthew and daughters Lily-Rose and Juliette, Thursday. Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
But beyond that, his 2009-born son Matthew will be eligible for the 2025 QMJHL draft. There will be another father after Patrick Roy and his two sons Jonathan and Frédérick and Philippe Boucher and his son Matthew. Son duo with the Remparts in the next few years?