Quebecor wants to give all the room to the departure of Jacques Tanguay and Patrick Roy before speculating on the identity of the replacements.
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“It’s huge what they’ve accomplished over the past 25 years, and it’s a day to celebrate their accomplishments,” said Quebecor Sports and Entertainment Group Chief Operating Officer Martin Tremblay. Jacques Tanguay and Patrick Roy are the two greatest builders of the new generation of the Remparts.”
“It was moving and inspiring to hear them share their experiences of the past 25 years,” continued Tremblay, who claims to have tried to convince the two men to stay on until the last minute. “There will be new people in place, but we are not replacing builders like Jacques and Patrick. It’s easy to lose a team culture and it takes a long time to rebuild it. We have to take inspiration from them.”
Same culture and same values
If he does not want to comment on the potential candidates for the succession of the two men, Tremblay assures one thing. “We are going to keep the culture and the values that these two greats brought to the team. The values of passion, desire to win on the ice and proximity to the community will remain those of the Remparts.”
What impact will the departure of Tanguay and Roy have on the organization? “It’s so normal that fans are sad to see them leave after an unprecedented collection of three trophies, agreed Tremblay, but life must go on. Success in the playoffs will bring oxygen to the return of fans in 2023-2024.
If we will no longer see him behind the bench, Roy assures us that he will remain a great supporter of the Remparts. “I will no longer be behind the bench, but I will always be behind them.”
“At one point, the team’s slogan was ‘tattooed Remparts’ and this is the case for Jacques and Patrick, added Tremblay. I never doubted they would always be behind us.”
Patrick Roy is also certain that amateurs will be there. “The Quebec Remparts go beyond Jacques Tanguay and Patrick Roy. It’s bigger than life. I can make a prediction for you: we’re leaving today, but there’s going to be a hockey game in August. When my successor leaves, there is a match that will be played in August too. The Remparts are eternal. Beyond us, the Remparts have won people’s hearts and people will always be behind us, I’m sure of that.”
One post or two?
Will the owners hire two people to fill the positions of head coach and general manager or bet on just one? “It’s still too early to answer that question,” said Tremblay. We will take the time to do things right. Simon [Gagné] embodies the values of the Remparts, but I will not go further in my comments out of respect for Jacques and Patrick.”
Present at Tanguay and Roy’s announcement, Gagné left without talking to members of the media. Color bearer of the Harfangs when Tanguay, Roy and Michel Cadrin bought the team in 1996 before reviving the second generation Remparts the following season, Gagné will have been associated with Tanguay and Roy for their last lap.
If it’s up to Roy, Gagné is ready to take over. “There is no doubt that Simon is ready to take over.”
Roy and Tanguay’s plan was to hand over the reins of the team to Gagne with the former goalie in the GM chair, but their departure changes that. On the one hand, would the former Philadelphia Flyers first-round pick want to embark on this new role without the presence of these two acolytes and, on the other hand, does Quebecor have other plans for his next head coach?