The Right Guy For The Job
In photo from left to right, Sting President Larry Ciccarelli, Head Coach, GM Jacques Beaulieu and VP of Operations Bill Abercrombie. Photo by Metcalfe Photography
By DAVE BORODY
When Sarnia Sting president Larry Ciccarelli interviewed Jacques Beaulieu for the position of coach and general manager, he asked Beaulieu one simple question.
“I want to know what a typical work day is for you,” said Ciccarelli.
When Beaulieu had finished answering the question, Ciccarelli said no more questions were needed.
“He sold me.”
After weeks of speculation, Beaulieu was formally introduced as the new head coach and general manager of the Sting at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
The 43-year-old Beaulieu signed a three-year deal with the Ontario Hockey League team.
Beaulieu comes to the Sting from the London Knights where he served as associate coach for two stints, the first from 2002-06 and again from 2009-11. He was also the coach and general manager of the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 2006-09.
The Sting also announced that Trevor Letowski will remain with the team and has been promoted to associate coach.
“His attention to detail is what sold me,” said Ciccarelli, when asked to expand on his interview with Beaulieu. “What he says he does on a daily basis, convinced me Jacques is the right guy for the job.”
Ciccarelli said the organization went through the process of obtaining a head coach and manager.
“We received dozens of resumes for a head coach, a manager and both positions combined. In one way we would have preferred to separate the jobs because they entail so much work. But Jacques convinced us he could handle both. He has the experience to do both jobs and we are surrounding him with good people.”
He added, “Jacques comes from a winning organization with the Knights and he built a winning team in Saint John. I want to thank the Knights and the Hunters for endorsing Jacques. We couldn’t talk to him until after 6 p.m. Saturday when the draft was finished. Mark (Hunter) told me then Jacques’s the guy you want.”
Beaulieu is no stronger to Sarnia-Lambton fans besides his time with the Knights. He played junior B hockey for Strathroy and also coached Petrolia and London. He and his wife, Carmen reside in Strathroy. His son Nathan played for Saint John and is rated highly for the upcoming National Hockey League draft.
“This is a great honour for me and my family coming to Sarnia,” said Beaulieu. “I want to thank the Ciccarelli family for giving my this chance. I also want to thank Bill Abercrombie. I’ve known him for a long time and he had a lot to do with me coming here. I believe we are all on the same page in building a winning organization.”
Beaulieu joked, “I never thought I would see the day when I would be wearing the black, gold and white colours with the rivalry with London. I’m looking forward to building a winning tradition in Sarnia.”
He added, “it’s been a long month for me and my family. But this is going to be a good fit for me and my family going this direction down the 402 instead of the other way.”
Beaulieu was asked about his approach to coaching.
“I do work hard on what I do. That means working 12 months a year. I want to instill a strong work ethic in the entire organization. It’s been a recipe for success for me both in London and St. John.
“It’s been a while for a winning team here and we need to change that. I remember the days coming here with the Knights when the building was full and really rocking. We need to win the support of the fans back and I think we will.”
Beaulieu would not commit to a one, two or three-year plan.
“The plan is to start today with a daily plan. I will begin looking for players today. Nothing is a given. The players coming to training camp this fall will need to make this team.”
The Sting had one of the worst defensive teams in the league last season and that’s something Beaulieu plans on changing.
“I believe in defence and that means all five on the ice. I don’t like kids cheating all over the ice. Getting the puck out of our end is the first priority. The offence can take care of itself after that. My plan is to put systems in place the players can learn.”
Beaulieu admits his first game against London will be tough.
“Yes, there will be some mixed emotions, but both teams will be out to get two points. My job is to create the best possible product on the ice for the Sarnia Sting.”
Beaulieu said he never met Letowski until this past weekend.
“Trevor is going to be a big part of this time. I saw how he coached the last 20 games of last season and was impressed. I’ve heard a lot of good things about him. There were no issues and we hit it off good. I think we will work well together.”
Letowski agreed.
“Jacques is easy to get along with. He talked to the Hunter’s about me and Mark had some nice things to say. This is an exciting time for the entire organization. There’s been a lot of changes, but we have some exciting players making up this team next season.”
Beaulieu is a big believer of having three coaches on the bench. He says he has not yet made a decision on a third coach.
“Trevor and I and the staff will sit down shortly and make a decision on that,” said Beaulieu.
The new coach will get his first look at the recently drafted players at the annual Sting mini-camp this weekend at the RBC Centre. Practices and scrimmages will be held both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
Dave Borody is a freelance writer who covers Sting games both home and away and also does features for the Sting Website.
