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Joël Bouchard has been named the head coach of the American Hockey League’s San Diego Gulls.
Welcome Joel Bouchard as new head coach of the @SDGullsAHL! Bouchard replaces Kevin Dineen behind San Diego's bench following three seasons as head coach of the Canadiens' primary development affiliate in Laval. https://t.co/z0Cvss57pr
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) July 9, 2021
The team is the AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. Bouchard had been the head coach of the Laval Rocket for three seasons, and his contract had expired at the end of the last season. Bouchard brought success to the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate and has had a working relationship with Dominique Ducharme as well. The two joined the organization at the same time.
Marc Bergevin will speak to the media after the players this afternoon. There is no word as to how the Canadiens coaching situation will shape up, as Alexandre Burrows was promoted to the NHL next to Ducharme, and Daniel Jacob is the only remaining coach from last year’s Rocket.
Bouchard led to Laval to a 83-67-24 as head coach. The team won the Canadian division of the AHL this year with a 23-9-4 record.