Laval Rockets extends coaching staff

Laval Rockets extends coaching staff

Cover photo sent to me by Judy Pitcher

Written by Fred Arshoff

I like to thank Judy Pitcher very much for two things first for informing me of the Laval Rocket coaching staff all being extended as soon as she saw that, and also for sending me the cover photo for this article, a tip of my hat to you Judy for helping while your on your leave of absence,

I wasn’t surprised at all by the entire coaching staff being extended with the exception of Kelly Buchberger who announced on May 17,2024 was leaving the Laval Rocket coaching staff For more informsation on that please see my article at https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2024/05/21/who-will-replace-kelly-buchberger-as-an-assistant-coach-with-the-laval-rocket/

I wasn’t surprised for a few reasons as on Tuesday May 28,024 their where many reports that Laval Rocket’s head coach Jean-Francois Houle was getting a multi year extension, and I thought he would like to keep his assistant coaches who have been with him for three years and work very well together, The assistant coaches names are Martin Laperrière, goaltending coach Marco Marciano and video coach Charles Juneau. The extension was announced by Laval Rocket’s GM John Sedgwick .

Jean-Francois Houle, Martin Laperrière. Marco Marciano have been with the Laval Rocket for three years. Charles Juneau joined the Laval Rocket for the 2022-23 season, when Marco Marciano was moved from video coach and goaler coach to strictly being the goaler coach.

The dollar figure of the new contracts weren’t announced as normally done as those salaries don’t count against the salary cap,

Although the Laval Rockets didn’t make the playoffs for the second constrictive year what they have been doing is developing players for the HABS and thats huge part of the AHL affiliate to do, is to develop the young prospects for the parent NHL team,

Here are some examples of the development

Raphel Harvey-Pinard in one season making the HABS out of training camp,

Joshua Roy not even a full season in Laval and made an impact with the HABS

Jayden Strubble who I thought would nned roughly one and half seasons with the Rocket to be NHL ready made in only half a season.

Then their is Logan Mailloux who made great strides playing in with the Rocket and I beleive is NHL ready now.Let’s remeber he missed one of his devlopment, and he was a top pairing defenceman on the Rocket

Then their is Arber Xhekaj was semt to the Laval Rockets after his injury in his 17 games, when he returned to the HABS his play was much better.

I I will admit it would have been great if the Rocket made the AHL playoffs so these young prospects could have developed even more,

I like to congratulate Jean-Francois Houle, Martin Laperrière, Marco Marciano , and Charles Juneau on their contract extensions, and also thank the HABS and Laval Rocket for extending them due to their excellent work in developing the young players, for the HABS, I feel this is a WIN WIN FOR ALL PARTIES,