Former Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme had a prominent role on the Canadian men’s junior hockey team in 2018, when eight players from the squad allegedly raped a young girl at a Foundation gala of Hockey Canada in June of that year, who was its head coach.
• Read also: New ambassadors for the Canadiens
• Read also: Wright and Slafkovsky, friendship despite competition
The 49-year-old man, who was also present at the gala, swears to have no information that could have advanced the investigation, he who also met with investigators after the event.
“In the weeks after, I was called by the investigators that Hockey Canada had hired and they asked me if I knew anything, I had seen anything or heard anything, but there was nothing. my side who could tell me that something had happened, mentioned Ducharme, met Wednesday by the media, on the occasion of his golf classic in Joliette. I had no information. I was there at the gala, but no other information beyond that.
“It’s rare that we go out with the players.”
The scandal, which came to light in May, splashes the organization of Hockey Canada, whose leaders even had to explain themselves to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, to reveal that their investigation had not made it possible to determine the identity of the eight men involved and named “John Doe 1 to 8”.
“I’m only a hockey coach, I’m not smart enough to be a top executive like that. I will let them choose how they react,” added, when asked how he found Hockey Canada’s management of the file.
Ducharme does not believe that there is a culture of silence in hockey, or at least that hockey is not alone in its boat. However, he does not excuse the gesture.
“Hockey is just a reflection of society. If we are going to do laps on university campuses or on other sports, other areas, I think it’s just a reflection like elsewhere.
A position offered to Martin St-Louis
The dust settled slowly for Dominique Ducharme. Smiling and relaxed, the former Habs head coach commented on his dismissal for the first time.
Thus, he did not reveal if he had a discussion with Martin St-Louis, a longtime friend dating from their years at the University of Vermont. We learned, however, that he offered her a job before the last season.
“We were in touch a bit, he vaguely informed the journalists who came to meet him. I contacted Martin last summer to join the coaching staff. He’s a good hockey guy and I wish him the best of luck.”
“He had things to do and he decided not to join our group. I understand too.”
Long road
On his own subject, Ducharme is far from worrying and is philosophical.
“I’ve come a long way. It’s just a test, he said. I have met plenty of them during my career. I will continue to grow.”
“There were a lot of ups. A year ago, we were preparing to play match number 5 of the final. It was an extraordinary experience. Then, at the start of the season, the first half was more difficult with the changes. Management too.”
Speaking from experience, Ducharme imagined that one does not acquire it as one buys a pint of milk at the store.
“There were several pitfalls during the first half of the season. To gain experience, you can’t go to Walmart to buy it. You have to go through things like that.”
Could Ducharme have done things differently or reviewed certain criticized strategies? The Joliette driver lets it be known that he sometimes questions himself.
“We always do it. We did the same thing after the Stanley Cup final. We did it last year after the season. Whether it’s positive or more complicated, you always do that as a coach. Otherwise, you’re not moving forward.”
The future
To know what the future holds for Ducharme, he says he has had “discussions” with teams, but he will wait to find the job that best suits his objectives.
“It is certain that the sting is still there, he said. I’ve done this all my life. I want to return as head coach in the National League. Last year, when we came to the tournament here, we were only three wins away from the Stanley Cup. My goal is to have those three victories that were missing.
While he waits for the right job offer, don’t expect to see Ducharme return to the junior ranks any time soon.
“I am in a situation where I still have two years of contract, he specified. I am open to everything, but I feel that on the junior side, I did everything I had to do.
Little communication with Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes
Dominique Ducharme admits that he would have liked better communication with the new regime at the Montreal Canadiens, namely vice-president Jeff Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes.
“There really weren’t any. I would have liked to have that meeting with Kent. At least to tell him how I saw things and how I perceived the future, he admitted on Wednesday. We see it elsewhere too. When new people come in, they want to turn the page on the old direction.”
About defender Jeff Petry, among the veterans who criticized “the structure” under his command, Ducharme claims to have never been cold with him.
“I had a good relationship with the players. With Jeff, it was a difficult situation with the start of the season and his family situation. It was not easy for him, he argued while defending his former player. I have always tried to communicate as well as possible with everyone. There was nothing personal between me and him. It was maybe one in 100 situations for a season.