Ducharme to leave Mooseheads due to personal reasons
Posted Apr 18, 2016 04:18:43 PM.
Last Updated Apr 18, 2016 04:23:17 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – The Halifax Mooseheads announced Monday that Head Coach Dominique Ducharme has decided to leave the team for personal reasons.
“It’s heartbreaking for me today because Halifax is a place I love and a hockey market I love,” Ducharme said.
“Bobby Smith has been great to me. He gave me my first chance to be a head coach in the league and the way he treated me and my family was just unbelievable but this is just about being closer to my kids, my girlfriend and my family who I’ve been apart from for a few years now.”
Ducharme leaves the club as the winningest coach in Mooseheads franchise history with a regular season record of 198 wins against 136 losses while also posting a 44-20 mark in the playoffs.
“I’d like to thank Cam Russell, my Assistant Coaches Jim, Jon, Steve and Eric and all of the support staff within the organization and of course the players and the fans that welcomed me and supported me and the team for five terrific years.”
He leaves the team after setting franchise records in virtually every coaching category.
The Joliette, QC native led the Mooseheads to a pair of Maritimes Division titles during his five-year tenure, including a President Cup title and the ultimate prize of the Memorial Cup Trophy in 2013.
“It’s hard to leave a family like the Mooseheads but my kids will only be 11 and 13 once because I’ve missed a lot of things being away from them and I felt now it’s time to be closer to them.”
Following the historic season by the Mooseheads, Ducharme was honoured by the QMJHL and CHL as the 2013 Coach of the Year.
Owner Bobby Smith also released a statement following the announcement Monday.
“For the past five years the Halifax Mooseheads have had the pleasure of having Dominique Ducharme as our Head Coach. Our players have benefited from Dominique’s talent, passion and dedication. Our fans have watched entertaining teams that improved as each season progressed. We knew the day would come when Dominique moved on. Today, due to Dominique’s desire to work closer to his children, that day has come.”
During Ducharme’s time in Halifax he was an Assistant Coach with Canada’s 2015-2016 National Junior Team, as well as an Assistant Coach with Canada’s Under-18 National Team at the 2013 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament.
General Manager Cam Russell says the search for the 12th Head Coach in team history will begin immediately.
