QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Still waiting for season resume, five days after the team had been eliminated in seven game by Charlottetown in seven games, the world of QMJHL has been surprised by the announcement of Quebec General Manager and head coach Philippe Boucher leaving the organization.
After usual thanks to member of the organization, his mother, his wife, son and daughter the former G.M. and head coach opened his statement by saying, “ After seven great years in the QMJHL, It is time for me to do something else.” Philippe Boucher said. 
Remembering his debut in the QMJHL, the former NHL defenseman who played 27 years in the National Hockey League, “Beginning in Rimouski, when Mr. Tanguay (Maurice) approached me with Andre Jolyceur, I worked two years there and these two years will be stock in my memory for rest of my life, far away the thought of two years later Mr. Tanguay (Jacques (Maurice’s son) the biggest challenge of my life would have been offered to me, the one that been the head coach of great Quebec organization.”
Boucher answered several challenged during his time in Quebec. “I have had several challenge to answer to, succeeding to living legend in Patrick Roy, second year to build a team for the Memorial Cup and thirdly entering in new magnificent Videotron Center, and after to dive the team in a rebuilding process. All these were different challenge but they were all very challenging.” Continued Boucher.
“I would like to thanks people who has had fate in me, Mr. Jacques Tanguay, to make me the General Manager and the head coach of Quebec Remparts, Martin Tremblay (Quebecor) Pouis Pinchaud, Yves St-Marthe, thanks for everything you did and still do for the organization, Nicole Bouchard, an exceptional woman, thanks for your experience thanks for everything you have done, thanks to be the true Quebec Remparts general manager, Hockey staff several are here, Marc Ben, Gyslain, Steve, Stepnane, the assistant, Steve and Stepnane, Christian Vermette and his scouting staff, medical team honestly we are the best. I would like to thanks players who were playing for me, players with whom I enjoyed being on the ice with them, I would like to wish you good luck in your future project.”
With emotion, he took time to thank his mother, his wife, son Matthew and daughter Vanessa, before Quebec Remparts took microphone to begin to talk.
“I’m in front of you leaving, be proud of my accomplishment ready to answer new challenge. To a pleasure to see you in future.” Were the last words pronounced by Philippe Boucher before Quebec Remparts President took the microphone to take time to thank Philippe Boucher for all these five years with the organization.
“Time in sports went very fast, we can’t have time to become older, I have had the privilege five years ago when Patrick (Roy) left the organization for Colorado, I have had the privilege (not happening too often) to choose the one who took Patrick’s place, the one who would come to manage the Q uebec Remparts. At that time I remembered very well there weren’t any other process other than the only choice we had unanimously Patrick and me at that time meaning Philippe Boucher. Quebec Remparts President Jacques Tanguay said.
“Philippe was in Rimouski he had been done an excellent job at Rimouski. He was General Manager at that time, I requested the permission to the organization to get him out of Rimouski for what I needed a head coach and G.M. and Rimouski accepted because they knew he can do the coaching job in the QMJHL and that day has been a great day for the organization. It would have been five years where I have had great times with Philippe. We were very near to each other, whether in his job as G.M. OR coach. We were very near to each other during all those five years, I really appreciated it, enormously. I have had the privilege of participating in all decision taken during those five years we went through every step, like our participation to our Memorial Cup, getting it in Quebec and participated to the rebuilding process, it was my first time since long times.” Continued Mr. Tanguay.
Answering the first question, why? The former Quebec Remparts head coach said, “Why not? “I worked for last 27 years playing, involved in minor hockey without looking behind, I have the same feeling today as when I retired from the NHL, when I took my retirement I have had an offer on table, I refused it because I wouldn’t be a person who get involve in 90 percent. When I thought about it, I always have the same way to go, I waited at the end of the year, I put things in perspective and thought about it one or two minutes. The year of Memorial Cup it has been a tough year, the thinking was just a minute long, this year I thought about it for one day, two days, and three days before coming to see Mr. Tanguay. We have had long discussion at his office, thought about it more and came back yesterday and for me it is time to do something else.”
I did not get involved in something if I’m not going at 100 percent. I gave to General Manager, I gave a lot to the coaching, I’m proud of what I have done. Now it is time to do something else.
Knowing Philippe Boucher got an offer at the end of last year to join the Syracuse Crunch in the A.H.L. and refusing it last year, the former Quebec Remparts head coach and G.M. was ask if the Syracuse Crunch call back to re-offering the assistant head coach job, will he accept it?
“The answer will be the same, no.” answered Philippe Boucher.
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