Alexandre Gagnon is only 32 years old, but his career as a coach in the hockey world is already full. Recently appointed to the helm of the Mulhouse Scorpions Online Magnus, the highest level of French hockey, the Quebecer is about to take on the most important challenge of his career.
Gagnon, a former defender, fell into the pot of coaching when he had just hung up his skates in 2010, after a hockey career that led him to France after his years in the junior AAA .
Last March, just a few weeks after the Magnus League season was canceled due to the new coronavirus pandemic, the Saint-Jérôme resident became the youngest coach on the professional circuit who has gained credibility with foreign players since some seasons.
“Yes, I’m 32, but I’ve been coaching for 10 years […] I will be younger than some of my players, but it all depends on your philosophy of coaching. What I’m trying to sell to the players is that we work together, they don’t work for me. I’m not their boss! “He launched in a telephone interview with The newspaper.
A decisive injury
A serious wrist injury during his 20-year year with the Nordiques de Sainte-Thérèse in 2008-2009 opened his eyes to a new passion that would become his livelihood three seasons later. He then found himself in command of the Midget Hope team of the Thousand Islands Lords.
His ascent continued as an assistant with the Forestiers d’Amos (midget AAA) and the Foreurs de Val-d’Or before leading the Panthères de Saint-Jérôme (junior AAA) and the Vikings de Saint-Eustache (midget AAA ). Before the health crisis shook the sports world, he had his first professional experience with the club of Chambéry in Division 1, the second echelon in France.
“I always liked that […] When I was injured, at 20, I had an outside look in the stands and I felt how I liked it and that I was going to be good at doing that. The feeling to analyze, I spent a lot of time with the coaches before and after the games, adds Gagnon, who is co-owner of the Olivier Labelle hockey school in Saint-Eustache.
“Then I played a year in Magnus, and the first year I came back, my plan was made. I was going back to school so I could coach, but the opportunities presented themselves faster than I expected. I was lucky. It’s also a matter of timing being in the right place at the right time. “
One step at a time
With a two-year contract in his pocket and an option year at Mulhouse, Gagnon refuses to look too far in the future. He does not necessarily see his passage in the Magnus League as a stepping stone to a possible return to North American soil.
“I decided a few seasons ago to manage my coaching career in the medium term, never in the long term. It changes too fast […] You are on an ejection seat. I don’t have too many long-term plans. I work as hard as possible to do the best in my job and I try to continue to challenge myself in my knowledge and learn from a lot of coaches around me. ”
The constraints of the lag and the pandemic
In addition to serving as head coach of the Mulhouse Scorpions, Alexandre Gagnon wears the hat of sports director. A “double challenge” that forced him to get up in the middle of the night to recruit for the next season – whether it took place or not.
“I found myself a bit of a routine, but the first month, I woke up between 4 am and 6 am in the morning to be able to have time to chat about working hours in France, because of the delay. At 6 a.m., it’s already noon there! I was still working at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. I had to learn the rules and all that was a big rush, “said the hockey man.
If he appreciates this new mandate, it is in particular because he has been able to learn the basics of the profession in Chambéry (D1) in recent months by working closely with Nicolas Tomasini, director of the training center of the Burners of Loups de Grenoble, who have a development partnership with the former Gagnon club.
Recruitment can sometimes prove to be complex in Europe with the many circuits that exist and the disparities that exist between them in terms of caliber. Few are also the players who hold long-term contracts, according to Gagnon, which leads the leaders to dip into a large pool to improve their workforce for the next season.
“I wouldn’t have felt as comfortable as I am right now if I hadn’t lived that year with Nicolas Tomasini. It was like doing a master’s degree in European hockey in one season, “said the Gatineau native.
In the fog
Even though the 2020-2021 calendar start dates for the European championships are more uncertain than ever due to the pandemic, Alexandre Gagnon and his wife would like to move to Mulhouse in August to acclimatize to their new environment.
Located near the German and Swiss borders in eastern France, this city was under Nazi occupation during the Second World War, suffering extensive damage. Today, its population stands at around 110,000.
“From what we hear, the season would start in mid-October or early November. The season will be postponed for at least a month and a half to allow time to work on hygiene measures and tie up sponsors, “said the coach, adding that the Magnus League could not function without spectators.
–
