New Merritt Centennials head coach Joey Bouchard

Joey Bouchard will be taking over as head coach and general manager of the Merritt Centennials this fall.

Emily Plihal
Express staff

Smoky River resident Joey Bouchard is making a great name for himself, acquiring a coaching position in the British Columbia Junior A Hockey League.

Bouchard will be the head coach and general manager for the Merritt Centennials this fall, a position he says will be both rewarding and fulfilling.

“Merritt is the longest serving and existing franchise in the BCHL,” says Bouchard. “I am excited and honoured to be coaching for the team in their 37th year in the league.”

Bouchard will be coaching 16 to 20 year old hockey players, and says the BCHL is renown for acquiring NCAA division 1 USA scholarships and future NHL (National Hockey League) players. He explains either five or six players in the BCHL are ranked in the NHL draft this summer.

Bouchard will be starting his tenure with the team as the youngest BCHL coach in the league.

“As a coach you always want to progress to the next level,” says Bouchard. “There were several candidates for the Merritt position, and I was fortunate enough to acquire the job.”

Bouchard says he looks forward to building a contending team in Merritt, explaining the Centennials had a difficult season this year.

Last year, Bouchard coached the Whitecourt Wolverines, an expansion team he was instrumental in building. He explains after just two years, the team managed to win the league championship.

His experience is quite vast as a coach. He began his coaching career with the Olds Grizzlies (AJHL) for two years. He held the positions of assistant coach, head scout and education advisor.

Bouchard says his passion for hockey was evident as a young age, the sport being a family favourite. He explains his dad was extraordinarily instrumental in sculpting his hockey interest.

“My dad’s understanding,analysis and knowledge of the game has been instrumental in my development as a coach,” says Bouchard. “He is definitely a great mentor.”

Bouchard says much of his success has been a result of his parents guidance and direction that paved the way throughout his hockey career. He also mentions his two brothers who have always supported him in his endeavours.

Bouchard minor hockey years began in Falher and he completed his Midget years in Peace River.. He then played in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) for Boston for one year, where he says his coach, Paul Jenkins, influenced his decision to become a coach. Jenkins is a former New York Ranger who Bouchard says supported his players and sculpted them into great athletes.

Bouchard also played in St. Albert for the Saints for a short period of time, one year for the Falher Pirates, and college hockey ACAC for the Augustana Vikings where he played in the V iking Cup 2005.

“My object as coach is to give the players a vision and an outcome; to advance them to the next level and maximize their potential as players and as people in society.”

Bouchard says as a coach in the Junior A level he looks for hockey players that have a superior work ethic, attitude, strong skating ability, and most importantly demonstrates a will to compete.

“To improve in hockey, they have to have a commitment and to enjoy and love playing the game,” he says. “Enjoy going to the rink and never give up on your dreams and goals.”

Bouchard says his future goals include moving to a major junior level team as a coach. He explains this could either be in the WHL (Western Hockey League) or QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League).

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