Consistency, tenacity and speed are key for Jean-Francois Houle

There are a few undeniable truths in the AHL.

SHOP: Rocket LVL crewneck
It's a development league, one that puts an onus on taking all the proper steps to prepare players to jump into the NHL when the moment comes.
It features an eclectic mix of players, some of which are dipping their toes into the frigid waters of professional hockey for the first time, and others who are looking for a fresh start with a new organization.
And finally, it's a league that gives opportunities for up-and-coming coaches to gain invaluable professional experience while dealing with an endless stream of variables that are out of their control.
Head coach Jean-Francois Houle is among the newcomers on the Laval Rocket this season, although it would be unfair to label him as an apprentice.
After spending seven years as an assistant coach with Clarkson University (NCAA), Houle ascended to the rank of head coach in the QMJHL before eventually joining the Bakersfield Condors as an assistant coach for the better part of a decade.
Simply put, even though this is his first kick at the can as a professional coach, much like the players that receive a call-up to the NHL, Houle has earned his way.
"For me, it's about tenacity, determination," said Houle in an interview for Next Man Up, an original series that provides an in-depth look into the Laval Rocket's 2021-22 season. "I'm a coach who likes players who work, who have intensity, and speed. The three words we use are speed, tenacity, and consistency. These are three words that we use here with the Rocket and that we want to instill in our players. We hope all our players will be on the same page and play that way."

Houle's focus on a team-first approach is exactly what you want to see from your AHL team.
But it's not always easy.
Veterans are hoping for call-ups. Rookies are looking to develop their skills. Late-round draft picks are aiming to make a name for themselves. Goaltenders are working for good numbers.
And while it's understandable that not every player on every roster has the same goal, it's only by working towards team-based success that every player can finally achieve their personal goals.
The challenge for Houle will be balancing the various long-term plans among his players while keeping them focused on the ultimate goal; winning hockey games.
For players like Jean-Sebastien Dea, a veteran with over 400 AHL games worth of experience under his belt, it would be incredibly easy to arrive in Laval with an egocentric attitude. Few players on the roster have more experience, whether it be in the AHL or NHL, and he's among the most talented forwards in the league.
Many veterans have brought that mentality to their respective AHL teams, and for the most part, not only has it led to poor results for the individual, it has spilled over into the team's chemistry, creating an awkward situation for all involved.
But Dea is taking a much more realistic approach to his fresh start with the Rocket. He's not owed anything and knows he has to earn everything that comes his way.
"I think I'm still at a good age to play games in the NHL," said Dea in Next Man Up. "That's my number one goal. But at the end of the day, I know there's a lot of talent with the young guys coming up. So, I just want to try to bring as much experience as I can from what I've learned over the years, prove myself to them, and then see where it can take me."
Dea hits on a very interesting aspect of life in the AHL as a veteran.
You're looked upon to provide leadership for the younger players in the locker room, the same players that may usurp your role as the next potential call-up.
But you simply can't get bogged down by the complicated scenarios that arise every day in the league. It's not a healthy mindset, and it's certainly not the type of approach that leads to success.
"I'm starting to get a little older in this league, in the AHL, and I know I'm not at the beginning of my career with many years left," said Dea. "I may be on the other side, so I just want to appreciate every moment, especially now that I have the chance to play here in Montreal, in front of my family and my friends. It' s been a long time since I've been home. It's going to be pretty special, so I just want to work hard every day, try to be a good leader for the young guys, bring my experience, work hard and just enjoy. I think it's really a privilege for me to be here, and I just want to enjoy every moment, hoping I get called up during the season."
With a myriad of unforeseeable challenges ahead, both Dea and Houle have adopted the right state of mind -- the type of mentality that's necessary in the AHL.
Paired with hard work, tenacity, and consistency, it's a mentality that leads both coaches and players alike to take the next crucial step in their professional careers.
Next Man Up is available on YouTube and HabsTV.