Lemaire Quits as Minnesota Wild Coach
April 13, 2009 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Minnesota Wild, NHL, NHL coaches
With the elimination of the Minnesota Wild from this year’s playoff race, Jacques Lemaire has decided that it is time for him to step down from his coaching duties. He spent eight years in the job (from the time the franchise joined the NHL) and felt it was time for him to move on.
image: TSN
“I think it’s time for the organization to get a new coach, get a new voice, try to bring this club to another level,” said Lemaire. “When I first started, I always said there will be a time when I’ll have to go. I saw that time, and it’s now… First of all, I never thought I would stay this long. I was pleased and impressed with the fans and the people living in Minnesota. I have to say the same thing for my wife. It’s a place that she loved. She was calling Minnesota her home. It was great. It’s sad to leave, but we have to do it.”
The 63-year-old led the Wild to a 291-256-107 record during his time behind the bench which includes the 209 wins in its first six years (the most of any of the nine NHL expansion teams since 1991).
The veteran who took the New Jersey Devils to a Stanley Cup championship in 1995 is not ready to leave the NHL completely. “I still love coaching,” Lemaire said. “I’m going to work and I want to stay in the game, that’s for sure. I still believe I’ve got a few years. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I want to stay in the game.”
I hope he gets his wish. Maybe they should hire him down in Tampa Bay or Montreal. Both teams could use a little help right about now.
wow, that a shocker