"I want to sincerely thank Jean-Jacques and Dan for their contribution to the Canadiens' organization, and particularly their work with our Club's young players over the years. I got to know JJ and Dan several years ago, and I know how much both care for the success of the Canadiens' organization. Claude Julien and I are committed to fully evaluating the work of our personnel, and we both agreed to make this difficult decision, and to proceed with these changes in our coaching staff," said Marc Bergevin.
"With Dominique, we are very confident that we hired an excellent coach, a man who proved himself at the Junior level in the QMJHL. Furthermore, his experience on the international stage with Hockey Canada has given him valuable knowledge which will allow him to make the jump to the professional ranks. We are very happy to have him join the Canadiens' organization," added Bergevin.
Dominique Ducharme, 45, spent the past 10 seasons coaching in the QMJHL, including the last seven (2011-18) as head coach of the Halifax Mooseheads (2011-16) and the Drummondville Voltigeurs (since 2016). Following the 2017-18 season, Ducharme was awarded the Paul Dumont Trophy as the league's Personality of the Year.
At the helm of the Halifax Mooseheads from 2011 to 2018, Ducharme posted a record of 267 wins, 169 losses and 24 OTL in 476 games. In 2012-13, his team led the Canadian Hockey League with a record of 58-6-3-1, earning Ducharme the Ron Lapointe Award as Coach of the Year in QMJHL. In post-season play, the Joliette native led his teams to 52 wins and 26 losses and gave the QMJHL a third-straight Memorial Cup when Halifax finished as Canada's top junior team at the end of the 2012-13 season.
Ducharme has also been involved with Hockey Canada, first assisting in the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and then as an assistant coach for the Canada Under-18 National Team at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Ducharme served as head coach for Canada during the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship in 2017 (silver medal) and 2018 (gold medal).
In 2002-03, following a 15-year career as a player from the Midget AAA level to the Quebec Senior League, including five seasons in France, Ducharme made his coaching debut as an assistant with the UQTR Patriotes. He would also coach his hometown junior team in Joliette in the QJAAAHL before jumping to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Montreal Junior in 2008-09.
Jean-Jacques Daigneault, 52, joined the Canadiens' coaching staff on June 15, 2012. During his NHL career as a player, Daigneault played for the Canadiens from 1989 to 1995. He was part of the 1993 Stanley Cup Championship team.
Dan Lacroix, 49, joined the Canadiens' coaching staff on June 30, 2014. He has been an assistant coach in the NHL for the past 11 seasons, having worked with the New York Islanders, the Tampa Bay Lighting, the New York Rangers, and the Canadiens.
Stéphane Waite has served as the Canadiens' goaltending coach for the past five seasons. He joined the Canadiens' coaching staff on July 4, 2013.
