The Montreal Canadiens ECHL affiliate will undergo changes to their coaching staff following the resignation of their assistant coach.
The Trois-Rivieres Lions announced that Mathieu Brodeur resigned for personal reasons after one season as assistant coach.
Brodeur was hired by the club on August 22nd, 2023 following Pascal Rheaume's departure to join the Islanders organization as assistant coach of their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Bridgeport. The club quickly turned around and promoted Ron Choules to the role of head coach and general and added Brodeur to the staff.
Prior to jumping behind the bench, Brodeur dressed for 107 games with the Lions before suddenly announcing his retirement in January 2023 for personal reasons. When meeting with media at the time, he stated that he wanted to take care of his family after his wife Virginie had severe blood loss and lost her kidney function following the birth of the couple's third child.
The 33-year-old was a rookie in coaching, but was not a stranger to professional hockey. Brodeur was drafted 76th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2008 and his playing career spread through 14 seasons with 318 AHL contests, 340 in the ECHL and stops in France and Slovakia.
The six-foot, five-inch defenseman won the Kelly Cup, the ECHL's championship trophy, with the Fort Wayne Comets in 2020-21.
While the search for a new assistant coach has begun, it may lead to further shake up in responsibilities. Following Spire Sports + Entertainment's purchase of the club, Alex Cousineau was promoted to Vice-president, Business development in addition to his role of assistant general manager. This past season, Cousineau also held the roles of goaltending coach and video coach.
