Will Patrick Roy stay with the Quebec Remparts or not? Is the NHL still an option for him? Of all the questions likely to be answered in 2023, Roy’s future is sure to be the most debated. As the new year begins, we try to see things more clearly.
What will Patrick Roy do?
No team will grab more attention in the QMJHL at the end of the season than the Quebec Remparts. First, because they are a top team on the circuit and have made no secret of their intentions to win the inaugural President’s Cup since their rebirth in 1997. But that’s Patrick Roy’s future at the team’s bar that’s intriguing. The 57-year-old made it clear that his career as Red Devils head coach was nearing its end and that he was ready to pass the torch, and named Simon Gagné as his successor. Increasing his golf travel next winter will therefore depend on the decision of Gagné, who is behind a bench in his first season in the QMJHL. If Gagné accepts the position, Roy risks staying on as general manager to begin a drawn-out rebuild.
Will the Remparts make amends?
Archive photo, Didier Debusschere
Last year’s heartbreaking semi-final loss to the Shawinigan Cataractes prompted Patrick Roy to think hard about his future with the team. Finally everyone is back and the Red Devils are dominating the Quebec circuit. But the pressure on the team will be intense when they make the playoffs, as anything that doesn’t involve winning the President’s Cup will be considered a failure. veterans Zachary Bolduc and Théo Rochette, who was invisible in the playoffs last year, must lead the charge and prove they are capable of improving their game in the playoffs. Despite many competitive teams over the years, the Remparts have never won the President’s Cup since their return in 1997.
What’s next for Hockey Canada?
Archive photo, Didier Debusschere
The sex scandal that squirts Ice Hockey Canada still has no result. The National Hockey League (NHL) investigation, the results of which should be known before training camps begin, is still ongoing. The London police have also resumed their investigations. The results of these polls should hopefully be known by the end of 2023. It will also be interesting to see the extent to which Hockey Canada will continue to exercise control over its members as the organization has done over the past few months. Remember that during last August’s gold medal celebrations, Junior Team Canada was not allowed to consume alcohol and was escorted by security guards.
A Quebecer at the helm of Junior Team Canada?
Photo archive, agency QMI, Joël Lemay
After Dennis Williams, who currently leads Junior Team Canada, could we see a Quebecois leading the team for the next tournament scheduled in Sweden? Two candidates were considered for the position, including Stephane Julien. The Sherbrooke Phœnix head coach rose quickly through the ranks at Hockey Canada, and his win at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup last August helped boost his rating with organization officials, who offered him the assistantship position on the national team this year. Another positive stint at Hockey Canada and Julien could very well be a serious contender for the head coaching position next year. We’ll also have to keep an eye on Louis Robaille who, after winning gold with ECJ last August, has decided to retire this year. However, it is rumored that he would be interested in the idea of leading the team in 2023-2024.
Quebec still avoided in the hope run?
Photo courtesy of Phoenix of Sherbrooke
The majority of scouts we’ve met over the past few months have told us that the QMJHL crop that’s being considered for the next NHL draft won’t go down in history. attacker Ethan Gauthier, of the Sherbrooke Phœnix, and Mathieu Cataford, of the Halifax Mooseheads, and defenders Jordan Tourigny, of the Shawinigan Cataractes, and Étienne Morin, of the Moncton Wildcats appear to be the top four in the league, but after that c is thinner. Some scouts have the impression that this 2023 vintage was slowed down by the COVID-19-related cancellation season at U18-AAA level 2021.