APPOINTMENT OF THE QMJHL TECHNICAL COMISSION

Press Release

Last month, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) announced the creation of a Technical Commission comprised of independent individuals from the league mandated to define the broad guidelines of an Individualized Development Program (IDP) for players and make recommendations to the League’s board.

Today, the QMJHL is particularly proud to announce the members of this Technical Commission.

“I am very happy that Yves Archambault, Michel Boucher, André Fournier, Gérard Gagnon, Wayne Halliwell, Francis Paradis and Allan Power accepted to get involved in this endeavour. Their respective contributions will help provide guidance and establish specific programs or actions to ensure the optimal development of our hockey players,” said Commissioner Gilles Courteau.

Here are some biographical notes on these individuals:

Yves Archambault has been the Technical Director of Hockey Quebec since 1999. He has a degree in physical education from the University of Montreal where he lectured for two years. He has also coached for over 20 years at all levels from pre-novice to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Michel Boucher is a part-time scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the region of Quebec and former Director of the Marie-de-l’Incarnation College where he is now on the Administrative Council.

André Fournier is the Training Director of the Multisport National Centre and specialist in physical education.

Gérard Gagnon is a hockey analyst for the CBC and was a physical education teacher and hockey coach in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for many years.

Wayne Halliwell is professor of kinesiology at the University of Montreal and a specialist in sports psychology.

Francis Paradis is a former coach of the national cycling team and of the provincial Quebec soccer team. An expert in the field of combining education with sports, he has two Masters Degrees, one in physical activity and the other in public administration.

Allan Power is a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club in the NHL. From 2001 to 2005, he was also General Manager of the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Marcel Patenaude, Executive Vice-President of the QMJHL will act as coordinator for the Technical Commission, which will be presided over by Dr. Georges Larivière, a well-known personality in the hockey world.

The introduction of this Technical Commission is the result of a thought process emanating from the Molson Export Quebec Hockey Summit held in Montreal last August.

Specifically the role of the Technical Commission will be to:

1- Provide guidance and recommendations on existing programs or actions to ensure players' optimal training.
2- Respond to requests from the QMJHL board.
3- Solicit and study suggestions from individuals or sporting bodies on any matter relevant to the development of junior hockey players.

The expertise and experience provided by the members on the Technical Commission will certainly be useful to guide and coordinate the full range of services required to support our hockey players throughout their journey.

About the Individualized Development Program (IDP)

Implement a methodical and rigorous follow-up of players’ integral development while ensuring their health and safety.
Coordinate and improve player supervision by QMJHL teams.
Upgrade the tools used to control and evaluate player potential.
Develop a player «digital» file.
Organize an annual development camp for players eligible for the NHL Entry Draft.
Create a strategy to promote the talent of QMJHL players.
Maintain internal and external communications, mainly with Hockey Quebec and the different branches of Hockey Canada within the QMJHL’s territory.



(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)