Moose Graduate Head Coach Pascal Vincent to Blue Jackets

The Winnipeg Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate Manitoba Moose is in need of a new coach.

On Friday morning the Moose officially announced that fifth-year head coach Pascal Vincent has agreed to a contract to serve as an associate coach of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, effective immediately.

Serving Manitoba for five seasons, the 49-year-old Vincent went 155-139-31 in 325 regular season games behind the bench. Shifting to the Moose following a five-year stint as an assistant with the Jets in late-May of 2016, Vincent will now begin a three-year contract reunited with Jack Roslovic and Patrik Laine of the Blue Jackets.

Fourth in wins among all #MBMoose head coaches, Pascal Vincent worked with 39 @NHLJets draft picks during his time in antlers.

Thanks for the memories, Coach, can't wait to see what the future holds for you! pic.twitter.com/4lnM9qYlxx

— Manitoba Moose (@ManitobaMoose) June 25, 2021

It is expected that Vincent will operate the power play in Ohio, while fulfilling other duties alongside first year head coach Brad Larsen – who was named as the eighth coach in Blue Jackets’ franchise history just two weeks after John Tortorella and Columbus opted to part ways following the 2020-21 season.

“Pascal is very highly thought of within the coaching community and a guy I identified right away as someone I thought would be a great addition to our club, so I’m excited to have him join our staff,” Larsen said in a team-issued press release. “He is very smart, experienced and passionate about the game and beyond that, is just a tremendous person, and I’m really looking forward to working with him every day.”

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Fully understanding his potential to usurp Jets’ bench boss Paul Maurice was diminishing, Vincent clearly took the opportunity presented by the Blue Jackets to help the rebuild of a young core and fresh coaching staff in a new city.

The Laval, QC. product interviewed for the job in late-May and was officially offered the position this week. Leaving True North Sports + Entertainment after 10 years is no easy decision, but clearly one that the veteran bench boss is passionate about. Manitoba will now begin the search for a new head coach for the 2021-22 season.

This is a significant loss for #NHLJets organization, as Pascal Vincent has done an excellent job as HC of #MBMoose of #AHL Given the history of Moose coaches advancing to the NHL ranks, the vacancy should attract some interesting candidates. https://t.co/USlPj6AW6q

— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) June 24, 2021

Vincent is responsible for the development of many current NHL players drafted by the Jets who spent time with the Moose, including: Kyle Connor, Jack Roslovic, Logan Stanley, Kristian Vesalainen, Ville Heinola and Cole Perfetti. Additional players on the Jets roster who spent time developing under Vincent’s tutelage include Mason Appleton, Andrew Copp, Jansen Harkins, Sami Niku and Tucker Poolman.

A highlight of his time with the Moose includes earning the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL’s Coach of the Year in 2017-18. That season saw Manitoba make a 24-point improvement from its 29-37-10 record (68 points) in 2016-17, by going 42-26-8 (92 points).

Vincent currently sits third in games coaches and fourth in victories during his time with the Manitoba Moose.