Seeing this as “the first day of a major project”, with the aim of better developing hockey in Quebec, the Quebec Committee on the Development of Hockey released a 50-page report entitled “Hockey, our passion”. , Thursday.
The report made nine main recommendations, including: learning to ice skate in primary school; prioritize the development of women’s hockey; prioritizing children’s enjoyment of play; optimize talent development; increase respect and safety, as well as equip the province with the appropriate infrastructure.
Former goaltender-turned-analyst Marc Denis chaired the committee, which included Guillaume Latendresse, Kim St-Pierre, Stéphane Auger, Danièle Sauvageau, Caroline Ouellette, Dany Dubé and Hockey Québec general manager Jocelyn Thibault.
“We want there to be more players and that they play longer, and that in an optimal and safe environment for all,” said Denis during a preview of the report, in the middle of the afternoon.
Regarding learning to skate from elementary school, Denis suggested that Quebec could, for example, take inspiration from the Norwegian model for cross-country skiing.
Addressing the disinterest or disenchantment that can affect young people at a certain age, Denis mentioned “we take that [trop] seriously way too early”. He added that the number of significant competitions should be reviewed, with a view to a simplified calendar.
“The pleasure is in learning new things and that, we forget that,” said the man who mainly played for the Blue Jackets in the National League, before becoming an analyst at RDS.
The report also recommends a national promotion campaign focusing on respect and safety, especially towards officials.
This can include installing cameras in all arenas, “so that parents know that some things are acceptable and others are not,” argued Denis.
He also advocated for a register of arenas in Quebec, to establish which are to be renovated, which are to be “condemned”, and where the needs for new facilities are.
The report also talks about building covered and refrigerated ice rinks – “local and that can become multi-sport platforms”.
In terms of accessibility, “the equipment is delivered at an astronomical cost,” said Denis.
The report is very broad and at the same time, “there is enough leeway in the recommendations so that, when they come to life, they take the form that will have been decided by the partners. We need partners to be part of the solution. »
The recommended measures are intended to “promote hockey and improve its credibility at the world level”, according to Denis, who has taken part in 349 games in the NHL.
Seeing the recommendations applicable to other sports, the committee said they hoped that one recommendation would influence the other and so on.
Denis specified that it was not part of the committee’s mandate to assess the costs of the proposed measures.
Denis and the Minister for Education and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Isabelle Charest, presented the report more formally at the end of the afternoon, in a hotel in Quebec.
“It will be important to give yourself the means to achieve your ambitions,” said Denis, who underlined the immeasurable contribution of the 15 committee members.
Charest spoke of worrying signs in recent years, such as a drop in minor hockey registrations, a lag in the number of players compared to the rest of Canada, as well as more difficult consultation.
“The committee thought about how to bring hockey into modernity and produced a detailed report, coming from credible and connected experts in the field, she said. I welcome it with great enthusiasm. We are not going to shelve it and we are committed to following up on it quickly. »
“It’s a significant first step in restoring hockey to its former glory — we now have to roll up our sleeves.
“I can’t wait to get to work, for the good of our young people and the ecosystem. »