2023-12-24 13:49:23
Published24. December 2023, 2:49 p.m.
Ice hockey: Will Vincent Léchenne take over from Gary Sheehan at Franches-Montagnes?
The former assistant of the Quebecer in Ajoie is tipped to lead the Saignelégier club after the departure of the ex-HCA coach in Olten. This is the dearest wish of the Jura resident, unemployed for eight months.
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Christian Maillard
Vincent Léchenne and Gary Sheehan (left) had great stories with Ajoie.
JONATHAN VALLAT/FRESHFOCUS
After having been his assistant at Ajoie, experiencing great emotions with him and the HCA team during the promotion of the Jurassiens to the National League, Vincent Léchenne could succeed in the Franches-Montagnes club (third division) to… Gary Sheehan, left to support Lars Leuenberger in Olten. This is what is whispered in all cases around Saignelégier…
This is also the wish expressed under the tree by this former striker of the Ajoulot club, unemployed for eight months, who met leaders of the “Franches” recently, while attending a match on the Guin side. “I hope that the people of Jura think of me a little,” exclaims Vincent Léchenne. They have two matches left and will have to make a decision going forward. I am a candidate, obviously!” While waiting to find the successor behind the bench, it is Steve Pochon, the ex-captain of La Chaux-de-Fonds, who assumes the interim role alongside Michael Röthenmund, the club’s sporting director.
“It would be an honor and a certain pride for me to succeed Gary in this position. I will be able to continue what he started.”
Vincent Léchenne on the coaching position of HC Franches-Montagnes
“It would be an honor and a certain pride for me to succeed Gary in this position,” adds the candidate, who worked with the Quebecer for eight years. As I know his philosophy exactly, whether in terms of training, tactics or strategy, I will be able to continue what he started with a club with which we collaborated when I was still at HCA…” is also in this organization of Saignelégier that the ex-striker – notably of Ajoie, Ambri, Martigny, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Berne – had finished his playing career.
Before the leaders of the Vouivres showed him the exit door, this summer, Vincent Léchenne had experienced everything in Porrentruy since the summer of 2009: a title with the elite B in 2013, the yellow vase of LNB in 2016, the Coupe de Switzerland in 2020 and, to finish, the promotion accompanied by the champion trophy. “I always have an eye on my old club, obviously, and without ulterior motives. I was lucky enough to be able to work there for 13 years with great success and great pleasure. I cannot be bitter about what happened, but I must admit that this situation hurts my heart, because it is my region and my club, where I started as a hockey player.
Time to catch his breath, he continues: “I experienced promotions in the LNA as a player then as a manager in the National League, it is not given to everyone. I was convinced that we would find common ground so that I could continue my work with the U20s, but the offer that was made to me was not consistent with my experience, as if I were just starting out. in this place. It’s the life of sport but it’s sad.”
“I looked at taking classes and considering something else, but hockey remains what I love the most.”
Vincent Léchenne, former player and assistant coach of Ajoie
Vincent Léchenne would have liked to finish the work he started at the Raiffeisen Arena with the U20s, where he had a blast “with these kids” until the semi-final of the play-offs, but he puts things into perspective. He was also in contact with Gerd Zenhäusern in Fribourg, to occupy the same position with the young hopefuls of Gottéron, but he was preferred to ex-Langenthal coach Jeff Campbell.
“When you have a wife, a family, children and you have to pay bills, it’s tricky,” he sighs. I looked into taking classes and considering something else, but hockey remains what I love the most. I would like to pass on what I have learned over more than thirty years and share my passion, whether with young people, selections or at a higher level.
Or with Franches-Montagnes…
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