The position of coach of the defenders of the Canadian is vacant, but do not count on Francis Bouillon to apply.
Posted at 7:45 p.m.
His name was mentioned in particular by Maxim Lapierre, of TVA Sports. But Bouillon does not want to hear anything.
” No way. I know things have come out. Joel [Bouchard] called me last year when Alex Burrows came up with Montreal. I wasn’t ready for that and right now, I’m doing well in my role. It’s no ! »
The 46-year-old therefore remains happy in his role as development coach, a role that is not set to change, he assures us, despite the arrival of Adam Nicholas in the role of “director of the hockey development” and Marie-Philip Poulin as a consultant.
“It’s not because we played hockey that we are ice guys,” recalled Bouillon. I played the game, but I played a lot instinctively. As a coach, I didn’t play much ice after my career. My role is to be a mentor, to go see the young people after the matches, to give them advice and to report. »
Jonathan Drouin is spending a lot of time at the CH facilities this summer. On Tuesday, he even put on the skates, in a sports tracksuit, to take shots and test his right wrist, operated on three months ago. Between his shots, he would often shake his right hand, bending and unbending his fingers, as if to regain flexibility in his hand.
Before embarking on these exercises, Drouin spoke with Vincent Lecavalier, who was on the bench. Lecavalier suffered a similar injury during his playing career.
“We compared each other, it was exactly in the same place, said Lecavalier, amused. I said to him, “Were you able to open a door and it gave an electric shock?” »
“I watched him shoot. I saw he was everything typed, so I thought he was boarding just to skate. But his shots were really good. I don’t know where he is in his rehabilitation, but he looked ready to start in the National League. »
Practice of the day again attracted onlookers, but those hoping to attend an intra-squad game came away disappointed. Despite what had been announced, there was no match, but above all three-on-three exercises in a restricted space.
The workouts led by Adam Nicholas are clearly different from what we are used to seeing. Moreover, it happened, for certain exercises, to note that players forgot that their turn had come. But with many young people not used to such camps, it is understandable that there is sometimes confusion.
It’s not easy either for the coaches, who are numerous on the ice! Monday, they were 13. Tuesday, there were “only” nine.
“Everyone wants to learn new coaching tactics,” explained Lecavalier. It’s not: we put the pucks in the corners and we turn around the cones. It’s a different style. Many coaches want to learn to become better. I’ve never done workouts like this, but I love it, you always work your brain. Hockey is about decisions you have to make quickly and by doing so, you become a better player. It’s beautiful, spinning 5, 6, 10 times around a cone, but with the games they play, you become better. »
Among the coaches on site, a great story stands out. It’s guest coach Charly Washipabano, director of the Cree Nation Bears athletic program.
Originally from Chisasibi, in James Bay, Washipabano explained that he was in Brossard “to bring experiences and knowledge to [son] program “. He received his invitation through a friend in common with John Sedgwick, assistant general manager of the CH.
His presence is added to that of Israel Mianscum, forward of the Sherbrooke Phoenix, also a member of the Cree nation. However, he has a hamstring injury and cannot participate in all the exercises on the ice.
Washipabano wants to take advantage of the invitation received to climb quietly in the hierarchy of hockey. “It’s hard for me to go up because of where I’m based,” he agreed. But my position allows me to work from home. I would like to rank up. If the chance comes my way, I’ll take it. »
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