With only four games remaining in the Laval Rocket season, head coach Jean-François Houle’s future with the team is worrying many people. Except the main person concerned.
Monday, on the eve of the team’s departure to Cleveland, where the Rocket will perhaps play its season against the Monsters on Thursday and Saturday, Houle had to comment on this delicate question.
“I think our coaching group has done a good job over the last three years. These are not things that I decide and that’s how it is in hockey. I have a lot of experience in the American League. If it’s not here with the Canadian, it will be with another team. But I like the organization and I like where I am, here in Laval. We are treated very well,” Houle said.
The questions are legitimate, but we understand that he and his deputies have other fish to fry for the moment.
The Rocket finds itself at the heart of a fierce battle with several teams for a playoff spot in the North section. He currently occupies the fifth and last place giving access to the spring tournament, but the Belleville Senators follow with the same number of points and the Utica Comets are only one point behind.
The reality of the American League being what it is – and after 10 years in the circuit, Houle knows it better than anyone – the 49-year-old head coach has not always had it easy this season, with a very young team.
The Laval team began the campaign with a duo of goalkeepers and several offensive players without any real professional experience. Victories were rather rare in the first weeks, but the team got back on track, even if it lost some key elements to the Canadian, such as forwards Joshua Roy and Brandon Gignac, as well as defenseman Jayden Struble. .
Keep pace
“In the American League, we know that there is always something that is going to change. When one of your players is called up, it’s almost always your best. It changes your numerical advantage, your trios. There are a lot of imponderables, but you follow the rhythm,” noted the head coach.
And even though some young players weren’t called up to the NHL, Houle noted their progress.
“Logan Mailloux is doing great, Sean Farrell and Emil Heineman have gotten a lot of ice time, Brandon Gignac signed an NHL contract, Jakub Dobes has progressed since the start of the year, Joel Armia, Jayden Struble and Joshua Roy have passed through here. I really like what I see from David Reinbacher too. Our staff is proud of the way things have gone,” he said.
Beyond the position in the standings, Houle and his staff also responded well to certain mandates offered by the Canadian staff.
Defensemen Arber Xhekaj and Justin Barron, who started the season in Montreal, were demoted to work on their defensive game. Xhekaj excelled during his brief 17-game stint in Laval, while Barron received occasional praise from his coaches for his overall play.
According to Houle, this is also how he hopes that the management of the Bleu-blanc-rouge will evaluate his work and that of his group.
“Every player who comes here is a good player, we just give them tools to improve in certain situations. I think in the American League you should be evaluated based on player development. Winning is a plus, and we would definitely like to make the playoffs. It’s important to play meaningful matches to help players grow,” he argued.
Houle and his assistants, Kelly Buchberger and Martin Laperrière, will see their three-year contracts signed during the Marc Bergevin era expire at the end of the season. Discussions between the three men and the new management of the Canadian will only begin at this time.
It will only remain to be seen whether it will be sooner rather than later.