Rouyn-Noranda Huskies owner Jacques Blais (left), general manager Yannick Gaucher (center) and administrative director Gilles Bérubé (right).
The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies took stock of their season this Thursday. They took the opportunity to take stock of their divorce from former head coach Brad Yetman, whose contract was not renewed.
After a season beyond expectations of a majority of observers at the end of which the team took sixth place overall, several supporters were surprised at the departure of Brad Yetman.
According to the general manager of the Huskies, Yannick Gaucher, the choice not to renew the contract of their former driver is a decision exclusively related to hockey.
Expectations, who created them? Who decided that we had to finish sixth? For us, it's the process. It's true that the results created objectives and, after Christmas, we relied on those results and perhaps forgot to work on certain details in a match situation. We saw that the teams after Christmas increased their level of play. We, on that side, there were small details for which I was less happy. It's not perfect, we are aware that the results were there, but we have to respect the plan. Our plan is to win and we think that by making this change, it will allow us to go further, says the general manager.
Former head coach Brad Yetman during a pre-game speech. (File photo)
“It's exclusively hockey. Brad is a good person. We got along well, but the problem in all of this is to paint the big picture, to see where we are going and to make decisions. »
— Yannick Gaucher, general manager of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
According to Yannick Gaucher, communication was good in the locker room between Brad Yetman and the players.
Asked about the profile and skills he is looking for from his next head coach, Yannick Gaucher insisted on attention to detail.
Earlier, I was talking about the details, so he's someone who is meticulous, someone who is hardworking, someone who will bring the players to surpass themselves. It is certain that he will arrive in a Huskies identity, an identity that has been built for several years, so he will fit into this mold and he will allow us to move forward to the next level, states-t- it.
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies general manager Yannick Gaucher (file photo).
Is the organization tempted to offer the job to coach Serge Beausoleil, who was fired earlier this week by the Rimouski Oceanic?
I have no contact with the coach you're talking about. This reflection does not happen overnight, we make a lot of decisions about what we are going to do and where we are going. For the coach I want to have, we are now there in the process, but I wanted to do things well with Brad before, he confides.
Counting on a important core of 19-year-old players reaching maturity, Yannick Gaucher wishes to assemble a team that can aspire to great honors next season.
Among his priorities, the general manager wishes to fill the two currently vacant 20-year-old player positions with players who can make a difference on the ice and who will be a positive influence in the locker room.
