2023-05-05 11:00:00
MONTREAL – Marc Denis does not really feel like celebrating the first anniversary of the unveiling of the report on the development of hockey in Quebec. Rather, he denounces the government’s inaction and he also invites the main players in the hockey community to assume their leadership.
A year ago, on May 5, 2022, the Quebec Committee on the Development of Hockey in Quebec, chaired by Marc Denis, released a report commissioned by the government of François Legault.
Focused on pleasure and accessibility, this report had proposed nine main recommendations on several axes in order to help Quebec hockey which was heading “into the wall” as Denis admits.
Unfortunately, a year later, the chairman of the committee can only admit that things are not moving quickly. And this, even if the Minister Isabelle Charest (responsible for Sport, Recreation and the Outdoors) had promised not to “shelf” this report which had been very well received by the various circles.
It must be said that, since the publication of the report, hockey has taken its toll by being hit by a few scandals, including the one affecting Hockey Canada and the revelations related to Canadian junior hockey, including the QMJHL.
Denis therefore deduces that the CAQ (Coalition avenir Québec) has stepped on the brakes because of this context.
“These are the echoes that we receive. The official version [du gouvernement] remains that it is very important, but we know very well that it is in slow motion at the moment, ”he confided in an interview with RDS.ca.
“I still have the letter of thanks from Minister Charest, which reiterates how important hockey is because it can be a barometer for other sports. And there, there is the government hypocrisy to take refuge behind that to say that there are several sports [à aider] “, continued Denis.
The former NHL goaltender indicates that the last few weeks have proven that hockey remains very unifying in Quebec. As proof, he cites the record crowd at the Videotron Center and that at the Slush Puppie Center in the QMJHL semi-finals, the 1,800 people at a junior AAA game in Terrebonne, the attendance of 3,100 spectators at the Stade LP Gaucher for the Canadian M18AAA final and the 2000 fans in Alma for the opening of the College Hockey League final.
“So if the government wants to take refuge behind the theory that hockey has bad press, it’s because it wants to,” the analyst told RDS bluntly.
Proud of the work accomplished by the committee of 17 industry experts that he chaired, Denis will not let the report end up on a shelf.
“With our last exchanges, Minister Charest and her cabinet are very aware that, if they pulled off a masterstroke by naming the people around this table, they must have known that we were not going to leave silently. The report will not be tablet, ”launched the one who wants the government to respect its commitments.
Denis takes the opportunity to ask the CAQ to act with alacrity in university hockey when two women’s teams from Ontario (Ottawa and Carleton) will leave the division of the RSEQ (Réseau du sport sportif du Québec).
“We need to improve the university hockey offer. I have nothing once morest the Maritimes and Ontario, but we are outplayed by them,” he lamented.
And yes, he is still keen on the recommendation encouraging the government to declare hockey a national sport. Not in order to denigrate other sports, but rather to start a movement.
Where is the leadership of the hockey community?
Of course, Denis understands that summer has come following the report was released. Then there were the provincial elections in the fall, the holiday season, the parliamentary recess…
“It’s probably time, a year later, for all the players to sit around a table and make changes. We’ve talked regarding it enough, we’ve written it, and now we have to do it. Without saying that time is running out, it’s a good time to get together, ”said the 45-year-old man.
“Me, I don’t have a cutlery to pull on my side so I volunteer to bring them together around a table so that things move,” said Denis.
When Denis talks regarding players in the hockey world, he is referring to the leaders of Hockey Québec, the QMJHL, the M18AAA (formerly Midget AAA), the Junior AAA and collegiate hockey. They too must catch the ball on the leap.
“They want change, but I also find, at the same time, that there is a huge leadership gap that needs to be filled for people to take ownership of this report. It’s like everyone says it’s a super good report, but no one dares to make the first move… Nobody wants to be the first to make the change being afraid of this or that,” noted Denis who recognizes the great passion of these leaders.
As he specifies, even if the government wanted to shelve the report, that in no way prevents one or more minor hockey associations from making decisions and finding solutions. “That is not for the government to do. »
On the positive side, Denis is delighted that Hockey Quebec – which must have free rein – has taken double bites to review its rules of governance. Not to mention the dialogue that exists between Hockey Quebec and the RSEQ.
“What is important is not how many players evolve in one system or the other, but to have hockey players in Quebec and to be able to develop them,” he said. agreed.
We then return to the basics: hockey remains a sport that is too expensive, which affects its accessibility for less well-off families as well as those of immigrants.
“Accessibility is an issue that is at the heart of the sustainability of hockey. For equipment, we will find a way with exchange programs via equipment manufacturers and merchants. But the rinks also need to be affordable. For this to be the case, we cannot accept that the last arena built in Montreal dates back to the 1970s, it’s ridiculous,” reacted Denis.
That speech fits perfectly with the purpose of ESPN’s new show hosted by PK Subban and entertainer Snoop Dogg’s goal if he manages to acquire a share of the Ottawa Senators.
A few notes in passing
In closing, here are a few notes to add to the debate.
More and more minor hockey associations have appointed a technical advisor as recommended in the report. “It’s important because we have to be able to withdraw in the evaluation and development of players. You have to think strictly regarding athletic development, but also psychological and emotional. The proliferation of technical advisers will help the sport, I am convinced. »
In the QMJHL, once more this season, and despite the advice of the report, 16-year-old players were promoted in this circuit, which harmed their development.
Denis says he is happy to see a greater openness towards women’s hockey, hockey played by young Aboriginals, immigrants or marginalized groups.
In his view, several avenues of solution mentioned for hockey might help other sports practiced by young people across the province.
An agreement has been reached to allow young people from First Nations territories of the North Shore to play games in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean hockey league.
In Montreal, great efforts are being made with the hockey associations and Hockey Québec to set up an elite-level sports-study program. “Whenever people sit around the same table for the good of young people and hockey, I am delighted. That’s the secret. »
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