by Justin Vézina | AHL On The Beat
It was an eventful summer for the Laval Rocket. After being eliminated from playoff contention on the final weekend of the 2023-24 season, the Montreal Canadiens team had to find a new coach after the. Jean-François Houle left to pursue another opportunity.
Pascal Vincentformer coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL and the Manitoba Moose in the AHL, was named head coach. Then more than a dozen players, including Alex Barré-Boulet, Tyler Wotherspoon again Adam Engströmjoined the Rockets, and a completely different team began the 2024-25 season.
Proof that they are no longer the same group? Last season, the Rockets won just two of their first 10 games. This season, it has won nine in that time.
In addition, the Laval club has an overall record of six wins and no losses at home, and had a franchise-best eight games before losing to Belleville on Saturday.
The path to success was straightforward, according to Vincent. It started long before the opening game when the strategist began to refer to the specific concept of the “wolf pack”.
“It started in the Canadian camp,” explained Vincent. “It is something, as an organization, that we want to do. The message here is to protect and support each other. We want to play with five blocks. We protect, support and encourage each other. A unifying state of mind.”
This can be shown in tangible ways such as when another captain Brandon Gignacwho had only one fight in more than 300 professional games, recently dropped the gloves to protect his teammates. Joshua Roy.
But this team spirit can be seen in subtle ways. It can be as simple as making sure your colleagues are on time for team meetings.
And even if the meaning of the wolf pack is wide, it is clear in the dressing room.
“When you get into any team situation, the idea is that you know you’re trying to achieve the same goal,” said the forward. Owen Beck. “Everyone here is on the same page and we bonded quickly. That ranges from hanging out, doing social events or enjoying your time or finding fun things to do around the rink. It could be playing ping pong or playing soccer or whatever.
“And, obviously, when you have a coach who preaches that attitude, we stick together and fight back. And on the ice or out in the world I think it stresses us all out. “
Ultimately, Vincent’s goal at Laval is simply to be a “good teammate.”
This tally marks the Rockets’ first of the season. Now they will have to wait another 61 games at least.
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