From 2016-2017 until February 2023, Pascal Daoust was the general manager of the Val-d’Or Foreurs in the QMJHL. Now he will embark on a new adventure: that of the Professional Women’s Hockey League with the New York team.
• Also read: 7 things you should know about the new women’s hockey league
• Also read: Danièle Sauvegeau, first general manager of the Montreal LPHF team: “I was looking forward to all of this.”
Daoust will forever remain one of the original six. Like Danièle Sauvageau with the Montreal team, the 49-year-old took on the position of general manager, but on the New York side.
Daoust also had good experience with women’s hockey thanks to his seven seasons as an assistant with the University of Montreal Carabins before his stint with the Foreurs and said he was excited about this new challenge.
“There are so many exciting things for me,” he said during a video conference organized by the LPHF. When I talk about a project, this is it. It is also a challenge.”
“We like to use the image of building a plane in mid-flight. But this plane is great and the runway is just as great. I too am joining the world elite. There will be no more negative moments. This league will endure over time. It’s a project, a challenge.”
“We’re all starting from scratch,” he continued. We get candy from the big bag for all players. In Val-d’Or we wanted to count on local talent, we had that sensitivity. I often drove five hours to recruit.”
From Val d’Or to New York
The future New York team obviously won’t settle in the heart of Manhattan. Her permanent residence is said to be in the region nicknamed the “Tri-State” on the border of the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Regardless of location, Daoust will experience a change of scenery compared to Val-d’Or.
“It’s funny, but when I was young I had a poster of New York in my room,” he said. In 1998 I attended an institute for trainers. I said I envisioned myself taking on the role of coach in ten years. And I wrote that I would do it in New York. Two years later I had my first child and the others followed. I made decisions for my family and my heart by choosing elite hockey but also staying close to my family. I’m going to experience New York now, but a few years later.”
A surprising choice
Daoust’s name was not in the rumors among candidates for one of the six GM positions in this new league. When asked about this, he responded extremely spontaneously.
“It’s the magic of Disney,” he replied. I went to Disney with the family at the end of July and beginning of August. They gave me a pass and explored my interest in returning to women’s hockey. It happened quickly. I wasn’t looking for a job, I was looking for a project. I think it’s a real project.”
Kingsbury to Toronto
Gina Kingsbury, originally from Rouyn-Noranda, will serve as GM for the future team in Toronto. The former Canadian Team player left her position as Vice President of Hockey Operations at Hockey Canada to embark on this adventure.
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“It’s a jump I had to make,” said the two-time Olympic gold medalist. For me it is an advantage to become GM, I know the dynamics of the players. I can rate them. I know the strengths, weaknesses and personalities of the players. I also know which players fit well on the same team.
Kingsbury will negotiate with Canadian team leaders to retain his role as GM for the 2026 Olympics in Italy.