Major news in the QMJHL: the Rimouski Océanic has fired its head coach and general manager Serge Beausoleil.
The 56-year-old manager had been behind the bench for the Océanic since 2011. He added the role of GM to his task at the start of the 2014-2015 season.
According to the RDS network, he was the active coach with the most seniority with the same team within the circuit.
With 426 victories in the season, Mr. Beausoleil ranks 10e rank in the history of the QMJHL. He led the Océanic to the final in his first season and won the President’s Cup in 2015.
This year, the Rimouskois reached the first round by beating the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in five games, but then suffered a sweep against the Quebec Remparts.
In a press release, the organization paid tribute to Mr. Beausoleil. The co-owner of the franchise and chairman of the board of directors of the Océanic, Alexandre Tanguay, however indicated that the “hockey department needs a new direction for the future”. In addition, the CA “is giving itself the next few weeks to analyze and structure the new direction of its hockey department”.
Danny Dupont, who was Mr. Beausoleil’s assistant, will act as interim general manager for the time being.