Former National Hockey League referee Stéphane Auger becomes the new general director of Hockey Québec, the federation announced Wednesday.
Auger joined Hockey Quebec last December as director of officiating, player safety and regulation, after spending four years at the Quebec Student Sports Network.
Last spring, when Jocelyn Thibault announced he was stepping down as general manager, Auger was named executive director of operations.
In a press release published Wednesday morning, Hockey Quebec maintained that as new general director, Auger will have the mission of steering the 2024-2027 strategic planning.
“He will do everything possible to achieve the ambitious objectives aimed at modernizing and revitalizing Quebec hockey, while ensuring inclusive and safe practice for all,” it was announced.
The board of directors of the Quebec federation, which was formed in June, used an external independent firm to make its choice. He recognized “the need for stability to ensure the change that has been initiated”.
“I look forward to leading the federation in achieving our objectives and, thus, contributing to the promotion and development of hockey at all levels,” said Auger, who refereed in the NHL from 1999 to 2012.
Thibault announced his resignation from the general management of Hockey Quebec in February, after having held this position for two years. When explaining the reasons for his departure, he deplored the resistance to change from certain local authorities in the minor hockey community.