Former Montreal Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme convinced the Golden Knights organization and Bruce Cassidy to include him in their coaching staff.
He met the media Thursday on the sidelines of his annual golf classic to benefit his foundation.
Ducharme could hardly ask for a better opportunity for his return to the NHL. He joins the Stanley Cup champion organization and will be able to taste life in Las Vegas. “For me, working with a guy like Bruce, in a successful organization like that, in the Western Conference, which is less known, is a way to continue to grow as a coach,” said the new deputy.
If Ducharme received a call from the Knights for an interview, it’s because he already knows the GM, Kelly McCrimmon, with whom he worked at Team Canada Junior. “He also told me that it was really the decision of Bruce, the coach, to make sure he was with someone he trusted and with whom he was going to be comfortable. I’m happy with that. ”
The Joliettain, however, had no particular relationship with Bruce Cassidy, a coach from whom he wants to draw inspiration. “He’s a coach who went through a bit of the same thing as me when he left Washington several years ago. He had to fight to return as head coach in Boston. And we can see today that he is having a great career. ”
During the 17 months he had no job, the former head coach of the Canadiens never doubted that he would eventually return behind a bench. “I knew I was to be behind a bench. On the other hand, I was open to going to different levels, whether in the American League or as an assistant. ”
“I knew I had to take a step back. I see it in a beautiful way. ”
Ducharme has yet to speak to players about the organization, but he already knows several of them. He will travel to Vegas next week to look for a place to live, and he will begin his day job with the Golden Knights in early September.
