I almost choked on my coffee when I learned last February that the former star player had ended up in Montreal following the sacking of Dominique Ducharme.

I researched on the internet which team he had led up until then, information I thought I had missed. Well no, I hadn’t missed anything! For the simple reason that St-Louis had never had such a responsibility… but he had always wanted to. Forgive me, but as a resume it’s pretty thin.

That’s not all: I could not recall reading or hearing significant comments from St-Louis during his playing career. He was certainly not recognized in the community as a great communicator.

This guy, I was convinced at the time, had little chance of success.

This feeling stayed with me for almost 24 hours. Because the next day he listens to how he answers the journalists’ questions with confidence, humor and sincerity during his first press conference CoachI discovered – like many people – his rich personality.

When a colleague politely referred to his lack of experience and said he’d only managed teams at a “very, very young” level, St-Louis replied with a smile, “You’re nice, I think it was pee…”

No way for him to beat about the bush. I was impressed by his openness.

We know the rest. St-Louis restored the joy of playing to the Canadians’ players after weeks of minor misery. Hockey players are like everyone else: if they’re not happy at work, if the environment isn’t pleasant, they have trouble reaching their full potential.

St. Louis also had immense credit for sacking Cole Caufield, who was beginning to look like an overrated youngster. He regained his confidence and started scoring goals. It was a big change for CH. Today we wonder how many millions Caufield will pocket next season. Less than a year ago we wondered if he would one day score 30 goals in a season.

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Today, St-Louis has become the face of Canadians. You’ll tell me that’s characteristic of a head coach. Perhaps. However, it remains to be analyzed how the main prospect fills this role.

The difference to his predecessors in recent years is simple: St-Louis doesn’t appear constantly on the defensive, as if he fears that his statements will turn against him.

He speaks to his head and heart. will it last I do not know. But might as well enjoy it when it’s over. Michel Therrien, Claude Julien and Dominique Ducharme all had qualities. But with rare exceptions, they’ve been perceived as reserved in their public interactions.

St. Louis sometimes says things that run counter to traditional discourse. As the first game of the season drew near last October, he delivered his message to the players: “Have fun. Sometimes I think we take the National League too seriously. It’s only one GSoul. Then have fun…”

Imagine someone else Coach CH rookie say something like that? That would have caused a stir. But St-Louis, who has emerged as a dominant attacker in the NHL even if his size has long made recruiters doubt, exudes an authority that allows him to convey the substance of his thoughts.

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Sometimes, when I read comments from St. Louis, I think that the day is not far off when a publisher will ask him to write a book on management. In an interview with my colleague Alexandre Pratt last September, he explained: “The answers are everywhere. You just have to find her. They are easier to find in a group than alone. »

This is a valid approach in all areas. Listening, confronting your own ideas with those of others, allowing questions, these are the keys to success in work and in life. St-Louis understood this well.

What impresses me most about him is his confidence (not to be confused with arrogance, as St-Louis strikes me as a confident but humble man).

Indeed, it takes a lot, a lot of confidence to sit behind the bench of a national league team despite minimalist experience without feeling like a usurper coaching. It’s even more true when we do it like he does in his hometown where hockey is king.

St-Louis is a rookie behind the bench. He faces new situations every day and, unlike other NHL coaches, cannot rely on his lower-circle experience to handle the difficulties.

Perhaps that is why he is open to suggestions from others, even though he knows that the decisions are ultimately his. However, he will inevitably make mistakes and lose patience again at a press conference, as happened after his team’s setback in Ottawa on December 14.

The second half of the season promises to be difficult for the Canadian. The best teams will pick up the pace and the less experienced clubs like him will have difficult times.

But St-Louis’ passion, respect for players and in-depth knowledge of hockey will allow him to walk away with honor. Over the years he will find those “answers” ​​he talks about so often. Watching him grow with his team will be interesting. the Coach of the Canadian is clearly my discovery of the year 2022.