The low representation of Quebec in the Canadian senior and junior teams is cause for concern, admits Simon Gagné. Hockey Quebec has its share of responsibilities, but the GM of the Remparts also believes that the lack of Quebecers in the upper echelons of Hockey Canada disadvantages young QMJHL players.
These are, in a way, two tiles that fell on the head of Quebec hockey this week.
Only two QMJHL players are among those invited to the Canada Junior training camp next week, the lowest crop in 35 years. The situation is not much better among the seniors as Canada's lineup for the 4 Nations Showdown will include goalkeeper Samuel Montembeault as the only Quebecer.
Samuel Montembeault
Photo: Getty Images / Minas Panagiotakis
At the junior level, we are talking about two players invited to camp. I believe that [Mathieu] Cataford and [Ethan] Gauthier are two very good players who deserve their place, but there is a possibility that there will be no Quebecers on the team, which would be very disappointing
points out Gagné.
There are sometimes cycles and empty passages, but that's several empty passages. I believe that Hockey Quebec is working on this and I have confidence in them. It starts much lower than in the QMJHL.
An unfair structure in Junior Team Canada
Former flag bearer at the World Juniors and the Olympic Games, Simon Gagné believes that the problem is also in the upper ranks of the Canadian teams where there are few representatives from La Belle Province.
My year, it was just me and Roberto Luongo on Junior Team Canada. I started as the 13th striker and it was only because Claude Julien had pushed for me that I was there. Tom Renney, who was the head coach, had no idea who Simon Gagne was.
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Simon Gagné alongside Jarome Iginla and Joe Sakic at the Turin Olympic Games in 2006.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Ryan Remiorz
To date, the members of the Junior Team Canada organization and senior management are mainly based in the West, recalls the CEO of the Remparts. Tom Renney is the CEO of Hockey Canada.
The reality is that they see more players from the WHL. Then, next to it, well it’s Ontario. […] I really like the idea of making it more central with representatives from each league so that it is more equitable.
Same story regarding the lowest number of Quebec players drafted in the NHL in recent years. We need more Quebecers working for professional organizations. If you don't have a Quebec recruiter, who at the table will push for a player from the QMJHL?
The underrated QMJHL
It is in particular the large size of Western players, believes Simon Gagné, which favors them in the draft of the NHL and when it comes time to form the junior national team. Except that, on the ice, the teams of the QMJHL had the upper hand over those of the WHL and the OHLin recent years.
I understand that it's in the culture of Team Canada to have big guys from the West hitting and being intimidating, but the reality is that before last spring our league had won the last four Memorial Cup.
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QMJHL teams have won four of the last five Memorial Cups, including the 2023 Cup won by the Remparts.
Photo: The Canadian Press / DARRYL DYCK
Sign that the QMJHL East looked down on
Elsewhere in the country, Simon Gagné gives as an example the fact that the Remparts were the only team housed outside of Kamloops during the 2023 Memorial Cup tournament.
All the other teams were near the arena. Same thing last year. Drummondville had the least nice rooms. It's okay to say it and try to find solutions, but it's also up to our players to use that as motivation.
A mix of ideas to improve Hockey Quebec
Nevertheless, the level of competition in the best categories of Quebec minor hockey was higher thirty years ago than today, affirms Simon Gagné.
Reducing the number of AAA and AA teams could be part of the solution, he adds, but ideas to improve the development of young Quebec hockey players must come from everywhere.
I am convinced that with the hockey heads we have in Quebec, we can help each other. You have to listen to ideas and accept help from everyone. Come together to push in the right direction.