C QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Ranked 14th overall in the QMJHL standing and only 3 games left before the regular season ends, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar confirmed what most fans and people around the organization anticipated, the departure of head coach Mario Pouliot in a press conference held on Tuesday morning.
With 17 out of 18 teams taking part of QMJHL playoff, the organization needed to make a move before the playoffs begin (10 days).
With a record of 2-7- 1 in their last 10 games losing last 5 under Pouliot, the hockey department decided to make their move, considering the team didn’t have any hope of better days ahead under the same leader behind the bench.
The decision is directly related to team performance lately. Winning 9 of first 10 games to begin the regular season, the team wasn’t able to perform with consistency, whether due to injury to key players or underrated performance.
“Following our evaluation before the playoff begins the situation didn’t leave any hope of better days to come,” explained the general manager Steve Ahern.
“It was a hard decision to make for our organization. We gave all the necessary support to Mario and we were behind him in his work since his arrival with us in November 2010 in replacement of Stephane Heins. As the season went on, the situation deteriorated lately. The way we played against Drummondville last Saturday showed us that we can’t continue like that,” the general manager said.
“Mario Pouliot was a dedicated coach for us, he worked very hard with lots of professionalism. But in these circumstances, we have to regain hope and make sure the team and his players regain a positive surrounding, what was hard to feel lately,” Ahern revealed.
After a season in a half plus 114 games behind the Drakkar bench Pouliot kept a record of 37 wins, 77 loses for 87 points for a .319 efficiency percentage.
For the 3 games remaining to the regular season, the general manager Ahern will take place to evaluate his team and what could be the move he can make during summer time but with no intention of becoming a head coach in future.
“I don’t have any intention to make a career in coaching, but for the betterment of the team I will end the regular season and see what need to be done in the upcoming month plus finding a new coach,” Ahern said.
“For now my job is to make sure the team regain their confidence and play at their best of their potential. We think the team can play much better than what they showed lately with much conviction and unity. It will be up to the players to answer they will have all the latitude to get together and push in the same direction, Ahern added.
” Ended the general manager. The decision seems to surprised players. “I have to admit that it was a surprise for us, things didn’t went well for us lately and it wasn’t just because of one person,” Drakkar captain Felix Girard said in one of two newspaper (journal de Quebec) in response to head coach been fired.
With 3 games left the captain recognize that the team should wake up. “I think all of us need to step our game up to end the regular season on better note.”
Ahern will make his debut as the interim head coach when his team visits the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in one of four games on QMJHL schedule for this Wednesday.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.