Laval Rocket | An identity which is becoming clearer under the orders of Pascal Vincent

(Laval) Pascal Vincent had a first month of activities to try to establish an identity within the Laval Rocket. His players proved to him that the message had been crystal clear.

Even though Vincent has experience in the American Hockey League, and even the NHL, it is never easy for a head coach to arrive in a new team. The first challenges are often the same: getting to know the players, establishing an effective playing style, installing a mentality and adjusting your shot along the way.

Rocket fans would have expected a difficult adjustment period and a few hiccups here and there, but the opposite happened. For now, Vincent is pressing the right buttons and his men have responded.

So much so, that they currently have a record of 8-1-0, which constitutes the best start to the season in the history of the Laval team. There is also a big contrast compared to the last campaign, because at this time last year, the team boasted a lackluster record of 2-7-1.

“We started with what, 0-5 last year [NDLR : 0-2-1 avant la première victoire] ? I think a lot of us had to go through that last year and we struggled through it. I think we learned from this situation. The guys come to play the right way every shift. It’s nice to be here,” said defenseman Logan Mailloux.

The two weekend victories against the Providence Bruins, 2-1 and 6-3 in front of a noisy crowd at Place Bell, testified to this contagious pleasure within the group.

They also demonstrate the work accomplished by Vincent and his staff to ensure that each player understands their role and even more. During both confrontations, the Bruins tried to shake up the Rocket, but he did not let it prevail. And this was particularly the case in the second match.

Known for his offensive talent, Brandon Gignac threw down the gloves to defend his teammate Joshua Roy. Riley Kidney, who has a smaller size, applied a good forecheck which led to an important goal for his team. Or Roy, who tried to block shots and get involved along the boards. These are the kinds of actions that energize the bench and rally the troops.

“This is what we want to develop. We want to add things to their toolbox. When you do things you don’t usually get recognized for or when you step out of your comfort zone, it has an impact on the bench. The next guy who jumps on the ice wants to do well too. We have really good chemistry and the guys bought into what we wanted to do,” Vincent said.

“The biggest asset we have too is how much the players support each other and play for each other. It’s this unity mentality that we have. »

The American League being what it is, the average age is young and players often have several aspects of the game to learn and develop. This is all the more true for the Rocket.

As the team has around ten players aged 22 and under, the difficult times may come later in the season. But in the meantime, this kind of start helps solidify Vincent’s vision for his troop’s identity.

“What we want to do at the start of the season is create our team identity. Our focus is on that right now. How will we play and what will our style be? When people talk about us, they have to define us in just a few words, he explained. Right now, we can define ourselves with this unity mentality and our work ethic. We never give up. Having a good start, when it’s supported by victories and when you do things the right way, gives momentum. »

The Rocket will now take their bags abroad for a sequence of five games on opposing ice rinks. It will be a new opportunity to test the solidity of this identity and this chemistry, even if Vincent does not expect to see a team with a different face in front of him.

“We want to see consistency. It’s good to have created our team identity in front of our fans. Now you just have to live these situations. We will see how we will react abroad. I’m starting to understand the guys in our locker room and I don’t think we’ll act any differently. We still have that playoff mentality. If you wouldn’t do this in the playoffs, don’t do it right now. It will be a good test for us,” admitted Vincent.