Laval Rocket: departure of assistant coach Kelly Buchberger

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated 5/17/24

With a disappointing but expected season from the Montreal Canadiens, we were all hoping as fans to at least see the Habs’ club-school make the playoffs.

Well, no, the Laval Rocket also had a poor season, failing to make the playoffs and finishing 6ᵉ in their division.

It was a big disappointment for fans, and also a surprise considering the team Jean-François Houle had on hand.

In short, the Rocket disappointed this season, and many wondered if there would be any changes behind the bench at the coaching level.

Well, now we have part of our answer, as the Laval Rocket has announced that assistant coach Kelly Buchberger will not be returning next season.

The Laval Rocket has announced that assistant coach Kelly Buchberger will not be returning for the 2024-2025 season.

Thanks for everything Kelly and good luck with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Devon Xtreme pic.twitter.com/rBbmLU0OEE

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) May 17, 2024

Buchberger had been behind the Rocket bench as an assistant since the 2021-2022 season.

The 57-year-old former NHL player has decided to leave the team and join Devon Xtreme, a team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Buchberger leaves a vacancy behind the bench at the Laval Rocket, which is likely to bring some change.

It remains to be seen whether this departure will have an impact on the team’s other coaches, namely Jean-François Houle (head coach) and Martin Laperrière (assistant coach).

Houle has no contract for next season, but we know he’d love to be back with the Rocket.

With a disappointing season, we’re all wondering if he and Laperrière will be back,

Maybe Buchberger smelled the hot soup and thought he’d be fired, so he decided to find another job and quit before he was fired.

This is just a theory, and only time will tell whether Houle and Laperrière will retain their positions for the 2024-2025 season.

En Rafale

– What do you think?

Was Craig Berube the right choice as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs?@HayesTSN and @GinoRedaTSN discuss. #7ElevenThatsHockey

VIDEO: https://t.co/d5xjAQ0MuA pic.twitter.com/sDrpNItZ6W

– TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 17, 2024

– Let’s see how it goes for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ new head coach.

Head coaches to win a Stanley Cup with multiple teams: Scotty Bowman and…almost nobody else.

Does Craig Berube’s Cup in St. Louis matter for the Leafs? https://t.co/vSurGdZkba

– Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) May 17, 2024

– Read more.

Leon Draisaitl said it.https://t.co/TLVCA1IrWn

– Jonathan Bernier (@JBernierJDM) May 17, 2024

– He’s really having a great playoff run.

Vincent Trocheck this postseason:

– 6g | 8a | 14pts in 10 games
– 58.3% on Faceoffs (2nd in NHL behind J.T. Miller)
– 1 double OT winner
– 36 hits (13th in NHL)
– +6 net takeaways
– +3 net penalties
– 1.17 average game score (2nd on Rangers)

This guy is playing all-NHL level. pic.twitter.com/QJ1DzlLL03

– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) May 17, 2024

– Interesting.

Didn’t say, but insinuated that Wanyama’s contract extension was a Gervais decision. https://t.co/mBnIcZxoGp

– Jeremy Filosa (@JeremyFilosa) May 17, 2024