Ducharme Named MooseHEAD Coach

The Halifax Mooseheads are expected to announce that Dominque Ducharme has been chosen as the team’s new head coach.

Bobby Smith has found his new bench boss in the form of the well-respected assistant coach from the Montreal Juniors. Ducharme spent three years with the Juniors.

Previousl to his time in Montreal, Ducharme led l’Action de Joliette (now le Traffic, Joliette) to two Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League Championships, an Eastern Canadian Championship, and an appearance at the 2006 Royal Bank Cup. He was also named QJAAAHL Coach of the Year in 2008 prior to making the jump to the QMJHL.

Ducharme also has some noteworthy history in his playing career. He is tied for ninth on the University of Vermont’s All-Time Scorers list. He tallied 149 points in his 130 games played from 1991-1995, just 118 points off former teammate Martin St. Louis’s school record.

Ducharme is known for his keen understanding of the technical aspects of the game, and his ability to communicate well with his players.

Ducharme beat out other top canadidates Darren Rumble and Brad Lauer for the Moose top job.

The Moosehead will hold a press conference Friday, May 6th to introduce their new coach.

More Work Ahead

With the head coaching position filled, the Herd’s next big task will be preparing for the upcoming QMJHL draft in Victoriaville, QC. The team holds a number of picks in the early rounds, including the fourth overall pick. GM Cam Russell has made no secret that he will explore the option of trying to acquire the first overall pick from the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in order to draft local phenom Nathan MacKinnon.

Russell will do his best to use some the young talent and the aforementioned draft picks to jump into that spot, but has made it clear he won’t mortgage the teams future for one player.

Matthew Wuest of The Metro provides a look at some of the talent Halifax could target if they fail to move up and snag MacKinnon.