Major news in the QMJHL: the Rimouski Océanic has fired its head coach and general manager Serge Beausoleil.
The 56-year-old manager had been behind the bench for the Océanic since 2011. He added the role of GM to his task at the start of the 2014-2015 season.
According to the RDS network, he was the active coach with the most seniority with the same team within the circuit.
With 426 wins in the season, Mr. Beausoleil ranks 10th in QMJHL history. He led the Océanic to the final in his first season and won the President’s Cup in 2015.
This year, the Rimouskois reached the first round by beating the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in five games, but then suffered a sweep against the Quebec Remparts.
In a statement, the organization paid tribute to Mr. Beausoleil. Franchise co-owner and Chairman of the Oceanic Board of Directors Alexandre Tanguay, however, indicated that the “hockey department needs a new direction for the future”. In addition, the C. A. “is giving itself the next few weeks to analyze and structure the new direction of its hockey department”.
Danny Dupont, who was Mr. Beausoleil’s assistant, will act as interim general manager for the time being.