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Pascal Vincent

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Pascal Vincent
Born (1971-09-22) September 22, 1971 (age 52)
Laval, Quebec, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Right
Played for Knoxville Cherokees
Coached for Columbus Blue Jackets
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 1988–1993
Coaching career 1994–present

Pascal Vincent (born September 22, 1971) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who currently serves as the head coach for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL). Vincent was previously head coach of the AHL's Manitoba Moose from 2016 to 2021 and an assistant coach for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 2011 to 2016. He was named General Manager of the Year in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the 2006–07 season, Coach of the Year for the 2007–08 season, and likewise won the most outstanding coach award for the 2017–18 AHL season. In 2023, Vincent was named head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, following two seasons as an assistant coach and the resignation of Mike Babcock prior to the 2023–24 NHL season. Vincent was subsequently fired after his lone season with Columbus, having finished last in the Metropolitan Division.

Playing career[edit]

Vincent made his Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) debut as a centre in the 1988–89 season with the St. Jean Castors. He played three additional seasons in the QMJHL between St. Jean, the Laval Titan, Verdun Collège Français, and the Granby Bisons before completing his junior career in 1992. Vincent then played a single season in the ECHL with the Knoxville Cherokees before retiring from active play following the 1992–93 ECHL season.[1][2]

Coaching and executive career[edit]

Vincent began his coaching career as an assistant coach of the Saint-Jean Lynx of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), and then as the head coach of the Laval-Laurentides-Lanaudiere (LLL) Regents of the Quebec AAA Midget Hockey League (QMAAA). Vincent originally joined the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles as an assistant coach for the 1999–2000 QMJHL season before becoming head coach shortly thereafter.[3] He then assumed the role as the team's general manager in 2001.[4]

Vincent was the recipient of the 2007 Maurice Filion Trophy as the QMJHL's top general manager, and the 2008 Ron Lapointe Trophy as the league's top coach.[5] Following the 2007–08 QMJHL season, he joined the recently relocated Montreal Junior Hockey Club as head coach and general manager.[6]

On July 22, 2011, Vincent was named an assistant coach of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). After five years in that role, the Jets promoted him to head coach of their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose in 2016.[7] At the conclusion of the 2017–18 AHL season, he won the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award as Most Outstanding Coach.[8] Vincent stepped down from his position with the Moose to join the coaching staff of the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 24, 2021.[9]

On September 17, 2023, Vincent was named head coach of the Blue Jackets, following the preseason resignation of Mike Babcock.[10] After only one season as head coach, he was fired on June 17, 2024.[11]

On July 16, 2024, Vincent was named head coach of his hometown Laval Rocket, the AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens.[12]

Career statistics[edit]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1988–89 St. Jean Castors QMJHL 48 0 0 0 0
1989–90 St. Jean Lynx QMJHL 70 4 7 11 45
1990–91 Laval Titan QMJHL 64 4 8 12 12 13 1 0 1 8
1991–92 Laval Titan QMJHL 53 3 20 23 36
1991–92 Verdun College-Francais QMJHL 17 5 7 12 12 19 1 6 7 14
1992–93 Granby Bisons QMJHL 2 0 0 0 0
1992–93 Knoxville Cherokees ECHL 57 4 7 11 33
QMJHL totals 254 16 42 58 105 32 2 6 8 22
ECHL totals 57 4 7 11 33

Head coaching record[edit]

Team Year Regular season Postseason
G W L OTL Pts Finish W L Win % Result
CBJ 2023–24 82 27 43 12 66 8th in Metropolitan Missed playoffs
Total 82 27 43 12      

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Pascal Vincent (b. 1971)". HockeyDB. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  2. ^ Portzline, Aaron (October 11, 2023). "It's not 'Dr. Pascal Vincent,' but it's the opportunity of a lifetime for Blue Jackets' new boss". The Athletic. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "Screaming Eagles coach let go". CBC News. October 12, 1999. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  4. ^ Paul, Jeremy (September 20, 2023). "The Pascal Vincent Era Begins". Inside The Rink. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Fraser, Jeremy (December 19, 2019). "Manitoba Moose coach Pascal Vincent credits Cape Breton for helping him reach professional hockey". SaltWire.
  6. ^ "Vincent heads to Montreal". CHL.ca. May 1, 2008. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  7. ^ Wiebe, Ken (May 26, 2016). "Vincent to take over Moose". Winnipeg Sun.
  8. ^ "MOOSE'S VINCENT EARNS TOP COACH HONORS FOR 2017-18". TheAHL.com. April 9, 2018.
  9. ^ Portzline, Aaron (June 24, 2021). "Pascal Vincent leaving Winnipeg to become Blue Jackets associate coach under Brad Larsen: report". The Athletic.
  10. ^ "Mike Babcock resigns as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets; Club names Pascal Vincent head coach". Columbus Blue Jackets. September 17, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023 – via NHL.com.
  11. ^ "Vincent fired as Blue Jackets coach, no replacement named". NHL.com. June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  12. ^ McGoey, Steven (July 16, 2024). "Laval Rocket Hire Pascal Vincent as Head Coach". The Hockey News. Retrieved July 16, 2024.

External links[edit]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Maurice Filion Trophy
2006–07
Succeeded by
Sporting positions
Preceded by Head coach of the Manitoba Moose
2016–2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by Head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets
2023–2024
Succeeded by
TBD