Pascal Vincent Finds New Job Behind The Bench

He was thrown into the fire last season in what many called an unfair situation for him with the Columbus Blue Jackets, before being fired at season's end. Now, Pascal Vincent has found a new head coaching gig, being named the bench boss for the Laval Rocket of the AHL.

Former Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent has been named head coach of the AHL's Laval Rocket. pic.twitter.com/jc0unbKYAX
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 16, 2024

Vincent had spent the 2023-24 season as head coach of the Blue Jackets, leading them to a disappointing 27-43-12 record. He had previously been the team's assistant coach for two seasons and an assistant with the Winnipeg Jets from 2011 through 2015-16.

Now, he's heading home. The Laval native takes over the Rocket, the Montreal Canadiens' AHL affiliate. Vincent was the head coach of the AHL's Manitoba Moose for five seasons, and earned the league's most outstanding coach award for the 2017-18 season.

Vincent was named bench boss of the Blue Jackets on Sept. 17 last year, just as training camp was about to begin. He was thrust into the job after the sudden firing of head coach Mike Babcock who had been given the gig only two months earlier. Some questionable off-ice tactics led the team to dismiss the controversial Babcock, leaving Vincent in a tough situation.

Now, he'll be back in a good spot for him, in his hometown, with the Laval Rocket.