Thursday, August 25, 2011

DONALD AUDETTE, PIERRE BOIVIN, JOËL BOUCHARD, BARRY F. LORENZETTI, JACQUES MARTIN AND MAXIME TALBOT CONFIRMED FOR FRIDAY’S HOT STOVE PROGRAM AT 2011 MOLSON EXPORT QUEBEC HOCKEY SUMMIT

Press Release

MONTREAL, Thursday, August 25, 2011 – The 2011 Molson Export Quebec Hockey Summit steering committee today announced the six panellists who will be divided into three groups to discuss the challenges facing hockey in Quebec today, the players in today’s game and leadership, including the key elements for success in sport and life.

Each session will feature one moderator and two panellists.

The Molson Export Quebec Hockey Summit’s theme is to address the challenges facing hockey in the Province of Quebec today. Discussions will revolve around four main topics:

Challenges facing hockey in Quebec today

Donald Audette (panellist) played 15 seasons in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, L.A. Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers. In 735 games, he recorded 509 points. As a member of the Atlanta Thrashers, he reached career highs in goals with 32 and assists with 39 in 64 games and played in the NHL All-Star Game during the 2000-01 season.

Jacques Martin (panellist) has spent 16 seasons as a head coach in the NHL. He is currently entering his third season at the helm of the Montreal Canadiens. Martin has been on Canada's coaching staff on three separate occasions: the 2002 and 2006 Olympics and the 2004 IIHF World Championship. He captured gold at the 2002 Olympics and 2004 IIHF World Championship. On April 9, 2011, in a 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Martin became the ninth NHL coach to reach the 600-win milestone.

The players in today’s game

Joël Bouchard (panellist) played four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Longueuil and Verdun. He won the President’s Cup in 1992 with the Collège Français and two gold medals with Canada’s National Junior Team in 1993 and 1994. The defenseman also played 364 games in the National Hockey League with Calgary, Nashville, Dallas, Phoenix, New Jersey, the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh and the New York Islanders. He recently founded his own hockey academy at Centre d’Excellence Sport-Rousseau where he teaches the game to young people. He is part-owner, president and general manager of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL.

Maxime Talbot (panellist) played four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He won two President Cup titles with the Gatineau Olympiques (2003, 2004) and was named QMJHL Playoff MVP both times. In 2004, he helped Canada capture a silver medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship. The forward was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the eighth round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2009.

Leadership: Key elements for success in sport and life

Pierre Boivin (panellist) was president of the Montreal Canadiens, Evenko and l'Aréna des Canadiens from August 1999 to June 2011. He is now president and CEO of Claridge Inc. Pierre Boivin is also very involved in the community as chairman of the Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation. In 2001, he founded the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated $12.5 million to support 425 Quebec-based organizations dedicated to improving the well-being of sick and underprivileged children. In 2008, the Bleu Blanc Bouge program was introduced with the objective of building five refrigerated outdoor multipurpose rinks in less privileged neighbourhoods in the Montreal area.

On May 29, 2009, in recognition of his dedication and commitment to the community, Pierre Boivin received an honorary doctorate from the University of Montreal, and on September 3, 2010 was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Barry F. Lorenzetti (panellist) is an entrepreneur who is no stranger to success. He adopted a business model that enabled him to attract the best talent to his firm from across Canada. He is an active member of several governing boards including those of non-profit organizations and invests considerable time to help grow Hockey Canada’s Foundation and the sport. Barry is a renowned guest speaker, regularly giving conferences throughout North America, and is a passionate hockey fan.

The Molson Export Quebec Hockey Summit’s theme is to address the challenges facing hockey in the province today. Discussions will revolve around four main topics:

Long-term player development: Exploring opportunities for development based on age; analyzing the development arc; actions currently being taken in Quebec; challenges facing development in Quebec.
Player development through the Program of Excellence: Development opportunities for 16-year-old players and older; options following their internship; actions currently being taken in Quebec.
Creating a safe environment through positive behaviour and attitude: Issues facing player health, including concussions; studies on hockey injuries; impact of rules; importance of adequately utilizing body checks and how players can better protect themselves on the ice.
Recruitment and retention of players: Presentation of the demographic statistics from the Province of Quebec; Hockey Quebec membership; new activities and initiatives; women’s hockey.

The 2011 Molson Export Quebec Hockey Summit will be held at the Bell Centre in Montreal on August 26 and 27. The public is invited to participate. A very limited number of tickets are still available for the event.

To ensure your participation in this historic event on player development in Quebec or for more details on the registration process and a complete schedule, visit www.quebechockeysummit.com.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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