Many hockey fans know Pascal Vincent from his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was thrown into a mess and had a rough 2023-24 season, which didn’t help his cause when a new general manager (GM) was hired in Don Waddell and wanted to make a new hire.
Vincent is now the head coach of the Laval Rocket. He brought them to the Eastern Conference Final last season, his first behind the bench, and is leading one of the best teams in the American Hockey League (AHL).
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Vincent is one of the best coaches in the league. “He’s awesome. He definitely pushes our team in the right direction, he gives us the tools to be successful,” noted Rocket captain Lucas Condotta after the 5-2 win on Nov. 15 over the Hartford Wolf Pack. Like many coaches in the AHL, he’s had quite the journey to get to Laval.
From the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) to the AHL for a stint with the Manitoba Moose to the NHL and back to the AHL, Vincent is well-traveled. He’s back in his hometown, where everything is coming together, and it’s made him the ideal coach to get the Rocket over the hump and lead them to a Calder Cup title.
What Vincent Learned From The NHL to Become a Successful AHL Coach
The big adjustment, which is now a strength, is patience. The league is younger, and the coach is in his second stint, and after some time in the NHL, he has a different perspective. “In the past, I would have been quicker to make some decisions but I’m way more patient, knowing and understanding the process,” Vincent noted after the win over the Wolf Pack. Vincent has a vision for how the team should play but the AHL season is a long one, and building a contender doesn’t happen overnight. “Sometimes it’s going to take a little more time,” He added.
Patience is something that Derek King noted when he was hired by the Hershey Bears in the summer. Likewise, it’s something John Gruden of the Toronto Marlies mentioned. The coaches coming from the NHL are used to players who are quick to pivot and learn systems on the fly. In a younger league, the best coaches realize that it’s a longer process and they lean into it.
Vincent also noted how his second stint in the AHL gives him a different perspective, stating, “It gives me a good sense of what it takes to get there.” His time in the NHL allowed him to see firsthand the gap between the two leagues, and he can tell the Rocket players just how close they are to playing for the Montreal Canadiens. This week, particularly, was a case in point of how close they are, as a few injuries will force a team to make a few hasty call-ups.
His time in the NHL is helping him develop those players for that next level. “Sometimes you just need to find the door to the NHL. Most of those guys are goal scorers, so you just need a door to get in and establish yourself, and most of the time, just scoring goals isn’t enough to get to the NHL.” Many prospects come into the AHL with a handful of skills and typically stand out in junior or college hockey as a scorer.
Vincent knows that to make that leap, some prospects must learn to check, defend, play a physical game, or block shots. Those attributes will open the door for them. This is particularly relevant for the Canadiens since they have plenty of skill in their top six but they need depth skaters who can do it all, and that’s what the emphasis is with the Rocket.
Laval’s Culture is Built With Him, Not Around Him
It’s important to note that the Rocket are held to a higher standard than most AHL teams. They aren’t a Calder Cup or bust team like the Bears or the Rochester Americans but they are close to that. It’s why they hired Vincent in the first place. The previous coach, Jean-Francois Houle, wasn’t a bad coach by any stretch but they saw an opportunity to bring in a great coach, and they did.
That standard is also why the Rocket have a large veteran presence.“We have great leadership, great guys on the team,” Condotta noted after the Nov. 15 game. Alex Belzile was signed this summer to add another voice to the room, joining Condotta and Laurent Dauphin. “He’s a character guy. He’s a veteran who has a voice,” Vincent noted on the long-time AHLer who is back with the Rocket and helping them both on and off the ice.
Those veterans make the job easier for Vincent and create a good buffer for the young players. “To have him around the young group is huge since he brings that voice in the room,” Vincent noted on Belzile, who helps get the message across to the team.
Many coaches like having their stamp on the team. There are a few great coaches who want their veterans to set the culture. Vincent notices the influence the veterans have and lets them set the tone with the Rocket.
Vincent Found an Ideal Spot in Laval But Don’t Count Out Another NHL Stint
Every AHL coach is asked about the NHL and gives the cliche answer that they want to make it someday but are focused on the team. I didn’t ask Vincent about a second chance, even though it’s on the back of my mind and presumably his as well.
He’s back home and coaching a great team. Laval is the ideal spot for the 54-year-old coach to end his career, especially if he can win a Calder Cup.
That said, every AHL coach is eyeing the NHL, hoping someday to get their shot. Most of them are young and hungry coaches who are climbing the ladder, and Vincent is an older coach hoping for one more shot, one he’ll be more equipped to handle. It will probably be a rebuilding team, albeit not a mess like the Blue Jackets were a few seasons back. It’s that opportunity that comes, he’ll be ready for it.
