SLBAM: Kent Hughes’ kind gesture to Jeff Petry

What’s up gang. It’s time to answer your questions and once again, a huge thank you for your time. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.

Let’s get down to business.

Yes, it happens, but not that often. What happens more often is the opposite. A player X asking to play with a player Y for various reasons. Sometimes even to get back on track.

Just think of Pacioretty when he was with the CH. At one point, he went to see the coach to ask him to put Desharnais back at center on his line, because things weren’t going well.

Otherwise, the reasons that often come up when a player doesn’t want to play with another is often off-ice problems. But often the guys will work it out amongst themselves and ignore it on the ice and get on with what’s best for the team.

Pacioretty’s example isn’t the only one. In the KHL, we also used to ask our star players who they’d like to play with, and sometimes we’d make changes and some players would come and ask us if it was possible to play with X or Y player. And sometimes, the players are right, but sometimes they’re not.

Yes, I think Hughes made that trade for Petry before anything else. I don’t think many GMs can make trades to accommodate players, knowing full well that the reign of being in the NHL isn’t long.

But let’s not forget that Kent used to be a highly respected player agent. He built his credibility that way. So to see him like this now? No surprise, because that’s just who he is.

Kent doesn’t need the money either, so should he lose his job tomorrow, he could go back to being a player’s agent with no problem.

So if he goes back to being a player’s agent. Is it easy for him to attract new players, knowing how he was before as an agent, and how he earned the league’s respect as GM? But then again, I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon.

The other aspect too: I don’t think Petry was worth a first-round pick, as many were saying. Otherwise, I’m thinking Pittsburgh could have traded him a long time ago.

But beyond that. The CH is a winner all the way around. How many times can the same team trade 2x on the same player? Because that’s the story. So anything that comes along is a piece of cake, plain and simple. Respect and hats off to Kent.

It’s obvious that the longer you wait, the better the players will be, because they’ll have more baggage behind them.

But you don’t want players that age missing games with their respective teams either. Also, field hockey training camp is so important. That’s when you get back into it.

Why not just have a week’s break or two, for example, across Canada and the U.S., so no one misses anything?

But I don’t understand the second part of the question with the middle of the season, because the middle of the season isn’t the U18, it’s the U20. I can answer that next week.

Often, the coach will know in advance, because there are several clues pointing in that direction. Take the example of my time in Manitoba. That same year, two of our best players came to ask for a trade.

I can’t go into the details of the first player, but we’d known for a long time that it was coming, and he needed a change of scenery as soon as possible. We accommodated him, he went on to win the Cup and then he went on to have a very successful NCAA career.

Our second star player who requested a trade. He was part of the first player’s trade. After two days, I knew he wouldn’t be with us after January 10. Unfortunately, he was bigger than field hockey. So we traded him.

In both cases, we knew it. But sometimes you don’t see it coming. So you immediately ask yourself questions as a coach and as an organization. Above all, you take the time to sit down with the player and listen to him. To understand him.

That way, you can find out what led to his request, and then perhaps make adjustments or changes to avoid the whole thing.

Another good reason too, unlike Gaudreau. It’s to want to go for an aspiring team. It’s a reality that’s more and more present today, now that players are starting to get the big end of the stick. Sometimes it’s hard to make fair trades.

Extension

In closing, I can’t talk right now. But I can confirm that last Wednesday was my last day with the Montreal Carabins.

The reasons for my departure will be announced shortly, but you’ll understand. We’re talking about professional advancement.

All this to say that Wednesday was my last day. I had the chance to give a final summer practice to several girls who came once a week to train.

I was excited to know that I was about to start a new chapter, but sad to know that I was leaving a beautiful gang of girls that I adored from beginning to end. They know, but I would have done anything for that gang because I adored them so much, and the feeling was mutual.

This team is in my top-3 of the best people I’ve ever had, and I’m convinced I’ll be talking to many of them 10 years from now.

The response from the girls when they heard I was leaving was incredible, beyond expectation, because I wasn’t expecting much. The response was incredible. Like any coach leaving an organization for a new challenge, I wish I could have told the girls in person.

But the girls have understood why I’m leaving, and I think they’re more upset about it than I am. I wish them the best of luck this season, especially as they’re a mature and complete team.

The goal of a medal is, in my opinion, even more plausible than last year. To say the least. In short, I can’t wait to share the news with you.

Don’t be surprised either to see PWHPA announcements this week featuring some of Quebec’s best-known names. A Danièle Sauvageau, Kori Cheverie and other locals should have great promotions to grow this wonderful league and also, the team in Montreal.

That wraps up the week’s questions. Once again, a huge thank you to all of you, you have to enjoy it, because unfortunately, I won’t be able to continue my column forever following my next announcement. @Mitch_Giguere.