Raymond, 49, served as goaltending coach with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League from 2016-17 through 2019-20, in addition to assuming a goaltending development consultant role with the New York Rangers during the same period. He worked closely with goalies Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev with the Wolf Pack during his stint with the Rangers organization.
The Montreal, QC native enjoyed a successful career in the QMJHL before making it to the NHL, coaching the Halifax Mooseheads goaltenders between 2010 and 2018 after having played the same role with the Montreal Junior in 2008-09. Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme was at the helm of the Mooseheads for most of Raymond's association with the team. Together, the pair won the President's Cup as QMJHL champions in 2012-13, following a memorable campaign that ended with a 58-6-4 record in 68 games. Both men also won the Memorial Cup that same year, capping the prestigious tournament by defeating the Portland Winterhawks. Along with Ducharme, Raymond was also a part of the gold-medal winning squad at the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2018.
"I worked closely with Éric for many years. Along with being an excellent communicator, he has a modern approach and emphasizes modern techniques. He creates genuine chemistry with his goaltenders and has an excellent track record. Éric also has a lot of experience at all levels, most notably on the international scene. I'm excited about his addition to our group," said Ducharme.
Raymond was a goaltender for 15 years, suiting up for 145 games in the QMJHL between 1989 and 1992 with the Laval Titan and the Collège-Français de Verdun, before making his way to the professional ranks. His junior career was marked by two QMJHL championships with the Titan (1989-90 and 1991-92). He then split his time between the ECHL, AHL, CoHL, and IHL from 1992 to 1996, playing more than 100 games during that period. He is also a former goalie in the Montréal-Bourassa program of the Quebec midget AAA league (1988-89).
Raymond then headed Europe to continue his playing career, starting with a stint in Manchester in 1996-97. He then spent the next eight seasons in France sporting the colors of Rouen and Anglet, before suiting up for Essen in Germany in 2005-06. He eventually returned to France for a final season in 2006-07 before starting his coaching career.
