Dominique Ducharme named QAJHL field hockey consultant

Despite leading the Habs to the Stanley Cup Final in the summer of 2021, Dominique Ducharme’s time at the helm was short-lived. A dreadful start to the 2021-22 season and a change of regime at the helm saw him dismissed less than a year into his tenure.

However, he was given a three-year contract that began at the end of the 2021-22 season, so he’s still being paid ($1.7 million per year) by the CH until the end of the 2023-24 season.

That said, it doesn’t necessarily stop Ducharme from trying to get back into the field hockey world, and in the last few hours, we’ve just learned that the former Tricolore coach has found himself back at work, as he has become a field hockey consultant for the Saint-Jérôme Panthères in the QAJHL. His arrival in the organization was announced at the same time as other important changes in the club’s management.

Appointment of a new managing director and head coach: https://t.co/vungsU0Olm

Given that the Panthères have just put in place a new group of coaches, Ducharme will be there to support them and help them develop in the business. After all, he’s got a ton of coaching experience and has enjoyed a great deal of success in the past. Because even if it all came to nothing, the fact remains that Ducharme has a good background as a coach and has what it takes to be a good mentor.

I don’t think Ducharme’s new duties will have any impact on his occasional appearances on BPM Sports (after all, Bob Hartley has pretty much the same duties for a Russian team and we still hear him on the radio), by the way.

Let’s remember that Ducharme doesn’t seem particularly interested in returning to coaching in junior. He hadn’t really shown any interest in the position available with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, and an advisory role seems to be more suited to what he’s looking for.

As a reminder, the Drummondville club fired coach Steve Hartley yesterday → https://t.co/fvkgbPq91u

Anyway, Ducharme is getting his feet back into the coaching world a bit, this time as an advisor. I can’t wait to see if he returns to a full-time role in the coming months or years, but until then, it’ll be up to him to help the Panthers to the best of his ability.

In short- He had a regular practice this morning. I expect to see him play tonight, but confirmation will come soon.

Jon Cooper says Victor Hedman is a game-time decision @TSN_Edge

Surprise for the Devils.

Appears Akira Schmid will get the Game 3 start for #njdevils at MSG tonight, backed up by Vitek Vanecek. https://t.co/Ay6KQ6YH3r

Good news for the Panthers.

🚨 Ekblad on the ice 🚨 pic.twitter.com/cilRIbsBsR