Gilles Courteau

Last updated

Gilles Courteau
Born (1957-10-07) October 7, 1957 (age 66)
Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
Occupation Quebec Major Junior Hockey League president
Years active1986 to 2023
Awards Hockey Québec Hall of Fame

Gilles Courteau (born October 7, 1957) is a Canadian former ice hockey administrator. He served as president of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) 1986 to 2023, and was a vice-president of the Canadian Hockey League. During his tenure as president, the QMJHL expanded from 10 teams in Quebec only, to 18 teams including Atlantic Canada. He implemented English as the language of instruction, and sought for the league to provide education and player assistance. He previously worked for the Trois-Rivières Draveurs, the Quebec Remparts, the Quebec Nordiques, and was inducted into the Hockey Québec Hall of Fame in 2016.

Contents

Early hockey career

Courteau was born on October 7, 1957, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. [1] He began his career in hockey as a statistician for the Trois-Rivières Draveurs from 1975 to 1977. [2] He worked with head coach Michel Bergeron for two seasons. [3] [4] Team owner Sylvain Cinq-Mars recommended Courteau apply for a similar position with the league after league president Paul Dumont opened an administration office in the Colisée de Québec. [4] [5] Courteau worked as a general administrator for the QMJHL from 1977 to 1980. [2] [3] He later became general manager of the Quebec Remparts from 1980 to 1985 after the departure of Martin Madden. [2] [3] [4] Courteau also served as a public relations agent for the Quebec Nordiques from 1983 to 1985. [2] [3] When the original Quebec Remparts relocated in 1985, Courteau returned to working for the QMJHL as the administrative director. [4]

QMJHL president

The President's Cup became the Gilles-Courteau Trophy in 2023, symbolic of the playoffs championship. QMJHL Presidents Cup.png
The President's Cup became the Gilles-Courteau Trophy in 2023, symbolic of the playoffs championship.

Courteau became president of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) on February 13, 1986. [2] He was appointed interim president upon the resignation of Guy Morissette, and remained as the tenth and longest-serving league president. [3] He took on the added role of QMJHL commissioner in September 2001, [2] [6] is also a vice-president of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), and represents the CHL on the junior council of Hockey Canada. [2] [6]

When Courteau took over in the 1985–86 QMJHL season, the league had ten teams and an office staff of three full-time employees; as of the 2014–15 QMJHL season, the league had eighteen teams and a staff of twenty full-time employees. [4] He led expansion into Atlantic Canada, starting with Halifax in the 1994–95 QMJHL season, which Courteau says is one of his biggest accomplishments as president. [3] [4] [7] The decision was successful in allowing new owners and respected businessmen to join the league, raise expectations and the league profile, and increase the average worth of each franchise to $4.5 million in 2015. [3] [4] [6] [7] The growth allowed Courteau to negotiate a 12-year extension for QMJHL television rights with TVA Sports and Sportsnet networks, [3] [4] and established revenue sharing to help smaller market teams. [3]

In the early 2000s, Courteau directed the league's coaches to speak English instead of French during practice, in locker rooms, and during games, in response to the National Hockey League's concern that players from Quebec did not speak the language well enough to play at professional levels. [8] [9] He was criticized in Quebec's French language media, but defended his decision as it prepared athletes for professional leagues that only use English. [9] He also implemented French language courses for athletes with English as a first language, to help adapt to being billeted in French and attending local schools. [8] [9]

In response to the class action lawsuit against the CHL regarding the status of its players with respect to the minimum wage in Canada, Courteau said that its players are not employees, but are student athletes. [4] [10] He successfully lobbied for amendments to labour standards in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, and as of June 2018 is negotiating with the Quebec government. [11] Courteau said that if players were paid a weekly salary, they would be less likely to continue schooling. [4] He says the league's priority is to oversee players, ensure they have housing, food, education, hockey equipment, and receive a weekly stipend. [4] [10] He also stated that the league spends $75,000 per player each year including tuition and tutoring, and is more akin to a scholarship than a salary. [10] He introduced a player assistance program in 2012 to help with on-ice and off-ice issues for players, and wants to maintain the trust of players and parents, as part of his own extended family. [7] [12]

Courteau has maintained the status quo on not releasing numbers of concussions in the QMJHL, due to confidentiality of medical records, but has stated that the CHL may adopt a policy on the disclosure of statistics in the future. [13] He also stated that the CHL has considered a possible renaming of the QMJHL, but that there are issues regarding branding and broadcasting. [14]

In December 2022, Courteau, announced that he will retire from the QMJHL in May 2024. [15] [16] He instead resigned sooner, effective March 5, 2023. [17] His resignation came when the Government of Quebec was conducting an inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct committed during hazing rituals in the QMJHL, dating back to 1975. [15] [18] He was succeeded as QMJHL commissioner by Mario Cecchini. [19]

Honours and awards

Courteau received a commendation from Minister of Veterans Affairs of Canada for his role in establishing a veterans' week throughout the QMJHL in 2010. [20] Courteau was inducted into the Hockey Québec Hall of Fame on June 11, 2016. [21]

After retiring as commissioner in 2023, the QMJHL renamed its trophy for the playoffs championship to be the Gilles-Courteau Trophy. [15] [22]

Personal life

Courteau coached baseball in Trois-Rivières in 1975. [3] [4] He worked at the CIP pulp and paper mill in Trois-Rivières, before relocating to Quebec City to follow a hockey career. [4] After the QMJHL relocated to Boucherville, Courteau became a resident of Varennes, Quebec. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League</span> Sports league in Canada

The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League. Officially the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League until 2023, the league includes teams in Quebec and the Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornwall Royals</span> Canadian junior ice hockey team

The Cornwall Royals were a junior ice hockey team based in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. The team played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1969 to 1981, and the Ontario Hockey League from 1981 to 1992. This team shared its name with other Cornwall Royals teams that played in the QSHL, MMJHL, or OHA-B.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilles Lupien</span> Canadian ice hockey player (1954–2021)

Joseph Leonard Gilles Lupien was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played five seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Hartford Whalers from 1977 to 1982. After retiring, he became a sports agent, businessman, and was an owner of the Longueuil Chevaliers and the Victoriaville Tigres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979 Memorial Cup</span> Canadian junior mens ice hockey championship

The 1979 Memorial Cup occurred May 6–13 at the Palais des Sports in Sherbrooke, Quebec, the Colisée de Trois-Rivières in Trois-Rivières, Quebec and at the Verdun Auditorium in Verdun, Quebec. It was the 61st annual Memorial Cup competition and determined the major junior ice hockey champion of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Peterborough Petes, Trois-Rivières Draveurs and Brandon Wheat Kings. Peterborough won their first Memorial Cup, defeating Brandon in the final game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978 Memorial Cup</span> Canadian junior mens ice hockey championship

The 1978 Memorial Cup occurred May 6–13 at the Sudbury Community Arena in Sudbury, Ontario, and at the Sault Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It was the 60th annual Memorial Cup competition and determined the major junior ice hockey champion of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Peterborough Petes, Trois-Rivières Draveurs and New Westminster Bruins. New Westminster won their second Memorial Cup in a row, defeating Peterborough in the final game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1969–70 QMJHL season</span>

The 1969–70 QMJHL season was the first season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Eleven teams formed the new league, ten from Quebec and one from Ontario. Eight teams came from the Quebec Junior Hockey League, the Drummondville Rangers, Quebec Remparts, Saint-Jérôme Alouettes, Shawinigan Bruins, Sherbrooke Castors, Sorel Éperviers, Trois-Rivières Ducs and Verdun Maple Leafs; two from the Metropolitan Montreal Junior Hockey League, the Rosemont National and Laval Saints; and the Cornwall Royals from the Central Junior A Hockey League. The teams played 56 games each in the schedule.

The 1973–74 QMJHL season was the fifth season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. East and west divisions resumed with the addition of two new teams, the Hull Festivals and Chicoutimi Saguenéens. Eleven teams played 70 games each in the schedule, up from the 64 games the previous season.

The 1974–75 QMJHL season was the sixth season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Ten teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Castors finished first overall in the regular season to capture the Jean Rougeau Trophy, and won the President's Cup, defeating the Laval National in the finals.

The 1975–76 QMJHL season was the seventh season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Emile Bouchard Trophy to be awarded to the "Defenceman of the Year." Ten teams played 72 games each in the schedule.

The 1977–78 QMJHL season was the ninth season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates two awards, the Robert Lebel Trophy for the team with best goals against average, and the Guy Lafleur Trophy for the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs. Ten teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Trois-Rivières Draveurs finished first overall in the regular season winning the Jean Rougeau Trophy, and won the President's Cup defeating the Montreal Juniors in the finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978–79 QMJHL season</span>

The 1978–79 QMJHL season was the tenth season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL unveils a new logo for its tenth anniversary, using the letters of league's French acronym shaped as an ice skate. Ten teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Trois-Rivières Draveurs finished first overall in the regular season winning their second consecutive Jean Rougeau Trophy, and defended their President's Cup title defeating the Sherbrooke Castors in the finals.

The 1979–80 QMJHL season was the 11th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Ten teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Castors finished first overall in the regular season, winning the Jean Rougeau Trophy. The Cornwall Royals, led by rookie Dale Hawerchuk won the President's Cup, defeating the Sherbrooke Castors in the finals. Cornwall went on to win the 1980 Memorial Cup, winning their second Memorial Cup championship.

The 1980–81 QMJHL season was the 12th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurated three new trophies for players. The Marcel Robert Trophy is first awarded to the "Best Scholastic Player" and the Mike Bossy Trophy is first awarded to the "Best Professional Prospect" for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. The league created a second Rookie of the Year award. The existing Michel Bergeron Trophy becomes the "Offensive" Rookie of the Year award, and the Raymond Lagacé Trophy is first awarded to the "Defensive" Rookie of the Year.

The 1981–82 QMJHL season was the 13th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The defending Memorial Cup and league champions, the Cornwall Royals left the QMJHL in the offseason, transferring to the Ontario Hockey League.

The 1983–84 QMJHL season was the 15th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Eleven teams played 70 games each in the regular season.

The 1985–86 QMJHL season was the 17th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league loses one of its charter members in the offseason, when the Quebec Remparts suspend operations. The remaining ten teams played 72 games each in the schedule. Gilles Courteau became president of the QMJHL on February 13, 1986.

The 1988–89 QMJHL season was the 20th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL first awards the end-of-season honours of the "Rookie All-star team" to first year players.

Gilles Bouchard is a Canadian ice hockey coach with the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) He previously coached the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the QMJHL for five seasons. He also served as an assistant coach with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL) for five seasons. In the 2015–16 QMJHL season, he led the Huskies to the Jean Rougeau Trophy as regular season champions, the President's Cup as playoffs champions, and reached the final in the 2016 Memorial Cup. After that season, Bouchard was awarded the Ron Lapointe Trophy as the QMJHL Coach of the Year, the Maurice Filion Trophy as the QMJHL Executive of the Year, and the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award for the Canadian Hockey League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Dumont</span> Canadian ice hockey administrator

Paul Dumont was a Canadian ice hockey administrator. He was associated with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) from its founding in 1969 to 1984. He served as the general manager of the Quebec Remparts, then as the league's executive director and president. He established the first league office, and oversaw the development of its policies and procedures. He previously co-founded the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament and managed the junior Quebec Aces. He is the namesake of the Paul Dumont Trophy, and was inducted into both the Hockey Québec, and the QMJHL Halls of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Bégin</span> Canadian ice hockey coach

Jean Bégin was a Canadian ice hockey coach and convicted sex offender. He worked six seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), and one season in the Nationale 1A league in France. He was the first coach in the QMJHL to make three appearances at the Memorial Cup tournament. He won two President's Cups coaching the Laval Voisins and the Verdun Junior Canadiens to QMJHL championships. He later served as an assistant coach on the Canada men's national junior ice hockey team. Bégin was convicted on seven counts of sexual contact with boys in 1989, and served six months in prison. He committed suicide after his release from jail at age 47.

References

  1. ↑ "Gilles Courteau". Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Intronisés en 2016". Temple de la Renommée du Hockey Québécois (in French). 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Lavoie, Kathleen (May 31, 2014). "Gilles Courteau: quatre décennies de hockey junior". Le Soleil (in French). Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Durocher, Pierre (March 13, 2015). "Gilles Courteau en a vu de toutes les couleurs en 40 ans". Journal de Montreal (in French). Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  5. ↑ Lachapelle, Marc (April 11, 2008). "Décès de Paul Dumont". Canoe Canada (in French).
  6. 1 2 3 "L'histoire de Gilles Courteau, commissaire de la LHJMQ". Carrefour Kijiji (in French). January 16, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 "Gilles Courteau : L'homme à la tête de la Ligue de hockey junior majeur du Québec". Quebec Hebdo (in French). May 20, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  8. 1 2 O'Connor, Joe (August 28, 2017). "The language of hockey in Quebec: Why it's actually not French". National Post. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 "Gilles Courteau défend l'usage de l'anglais dans la LHJMQ". Radio Canada (in French). August 24, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 Morissette, Mario (June 1, 2018). "Gilles Courteau réplique à Gilles Lupien". TVA Sports (in French). Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  11. ↑ Hamilton, Graeme (June 11, 2018). "Quebec bill will make sure junior hockey players are not considered paid employees". National Post. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Gilles Courteau: 40 ans de hockey junior". Quebec Hebdo (in French). May 12, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Gilles Courteau garde le secret sur le nombre de commotions cérébrales dans la LHJMQ". Radio Canada (in French). March 27, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  14. ↑ McPhail, Colin (September 22, 2017). "Could a name change be on the horizon for QMJHL?". Telegraph journal. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  15. 1 2 3 "QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau resigns after 37 years at helm". Montreal Gazette . Montreal, Quebec. The Canadian Press. March 5, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Gilles Courteau prêt à tirer sa révérence". Radio-Canada (in French). La Presse canadienne. December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  17. ↑ "QMJHL Commissioner steps down". Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  18. ↑ Bergeron, Patrice (March 3, 2023). "Legault wants to hear more from QMJHL president". Montreal Gazette . Montreal, Quebec. The Canadian Press . Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Interim Alouettes president Mario Cecchini named QMJHL commissioner". Sportsnet . The Canadian Press. March 7, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Gilles Courteau - Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation". Veterans Affairs Canada. October 23, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Gilles Courteau inducted into Hockey Quebec's Hall of Fame". QMJHL. June 11, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  22. ↑ Tidcombe, Matt (March 29, 2023). "2023 Road to the Memorial Cup: QMJHL preview". Canadian Hockey League . Retrieved June 2, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.