On Wednesday, August 14, Pascal Vincent visited Place Bell for the first time as head coach of the Rocket. Here are the highlights : By Justin Vézina It may not have been an official homecoming day for the Laval Rocket, but it was a nice preview of the restart of activities at Place Bell. For […]
Category Archives: Interviews
Pascal Vincent: The arrival of a “pure Lavallois” at the head of the Rocket
The new head coach has signed on with the Montreal Canadiens’ training club for the next three seasons By Justin Vézina Few people understand the reality of the Laval market better than Pascal Vincent. “I grew up 10 minutes from Place Bell. I played my minor hockey in Laval. It’s been a long time since […]
The new tome in the Israel Mianscum story
For forward Israel Mianscum, the signing of his first professional contract was celebrated in his own style By Justin Vézina Israel Mianscum woke up knowing full well what kind of day awaited him. On Wednesday, he arrived at the arena, put on his equipment and prepared to take to the ice when his phone started […]
Rocket rookies ride ups and downs of rollercoaster season
Growing pains during 2023-24 campaign build resilience, character for youth in Laval By Evan Milner @CanadiensMTL / canadiens.com MONTREAL – The city’s La Ronde amusement park doesn’t begin operations until mid-May, but the rollercoaster experience was open year-round for the Laval Rocket, who narrowly missed the AHL playoffs for the first time in three years. Like […]
What was said at the end-of-season media availability
By Justin Vézina At the end of its spectacular 2023-2024 season, the Laval Rocket held its end-of-season media availability to bring the campaign to a close. Ten players, plus head coach Jean-François Houle, appeared before the media. For those who wish to view all the press conferences, they are presented below. However, for those who […]
Lucas Condotta, a locker room and community favorite
By Justin Vézina Which came first? The Rocket’s love for Lucas Condotta or Lucas Condotta’s love for the Rocket? It doesn’t really matter. All we know after the Ontario forward’s two full seasons with the Montreal farm team is that they’re a perfect match. Since signing with the Laval team in March 2022, the man […]
An “excited” David Reinbacher joins the Rocket
By Justin Vézina “I’m finally here and I’m so excited.” That’s how young defenseman David Reinbacher summed up his thoughts after his very first training session with the Laval Rocket. Freshly arrived on Monday after a third professional season in Switzerland with EHC Kloten, the Montreal Canadiens’ first-round pick in the 2023 draft met his […]
William Trudeau and the challenge of the second season
By Justin Vézina The sophomore season slump is a well-documented concept among top athletes. That difficulty in continuing to progress or simply maintaining the same pace as in the rookie year. Now in his second professional campaign, William Trudeau had no choice but to face this rite of passage and try to ward off the […]
Logan Mailloux, rising star
Jean-François Houle gathered all his players at the centre of the ice at Place Bell. A routine scene for an early January training session. Together, they form a circle in front of the head coach. The Laval Rocket coach, rather than announcing instructions for a new drill, uttered the words, “Logan, you’re going to the […]
Jakub Dobeš : Winning at all costs
By Justin Vézina “When I’m involved, I play better. When the stakes are high, it’s a plus for me. I feel I’m becoming more competitive and even better.” These are the words of goalietender Jakub Dobeš, whose brilliance over the past month has kept Laval’s playoff dream alive. Indeed, the team is now on the […]
