Kent Hughes paves the way for a new era | NHL.com

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Hughes, who grew up worshiping the Blond Demon, now leads the team that gave him countless championship memories throughout his childhood.

"Guy Lafleur was my favorite player, Ken Dryden too," says Hughes. I think I could name almost every player that was on [the Canadiens] teams in the '70s."

And, while he displays the level of respect and knowledge needed to lead a franchise as historic as the Canadiens, Hughes isn't here to take a history lesson.

He was entrusted with the task of writing the next chapter of the Bleu-blanc-rouge epic.

Hughes eventually concluded that he was ready for a new challenge, but not before one of his former and important clients urged him to take up the mantle.

“It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” explains Vincent Lecavalier. And to do it in Montreal, too? It was an opportunity he really had to seriously consider. It wasn't an easy decision, I'm sure, but I wanted him to know it would be an amazing experience. »

Lecavalier, who played a total of 18 NHL seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings, shared with Hughes a regret that lives with him: even to this day, he sometimes wakes up and thinks about his decision to sign somewhere other than Montreal.

It's an infrequent situation, but this time it was the player who used his own experience to advise the agent, so that he sits behind the GM's office on the 7th floor of the Center Bell.

His voice becomes warm and nostalgic when talking about his former agent.

"He's a really good person," said Lecavalier. He is extremely loyal to his friends, family and clients. But, in reality, when I think of Kent Hughes, the first thing that comes to mind is that he is an incredibly intelligent person. When a challenge arose, Kent was the first person I called, and not just because he was my agent. Whenever I needed help with something, I called Kent.

Although Hughes would eventually become one of his most trusted friends, Lecavalier had originally intended to sign up with a much larger agency at the time.

"From our first meeting, I realized that this was exactly the person I needed to support me in my professional career," says Lecavalier. It was the right decision. He displayed a human side, which was refreshing. For me, it was crucial to be represented not only by a good person, but also by an honest person. That's what you get with Kent Hughes. »

Hughes' warm approach wasn't just a deciding factor for Lecavalier. She was also the main reason owner Geoff Molson approved his appointment as the 18th general manager in Canadiens history.

“That's probably one of the most important parts of my role in the interview process: getting to know the person,” says Molson. When I ask questions about his priorities, I listen to the human response. Jeff Gorton is much more hockey-focused. Between the two of us, I think we were able to assess the whole profile, and that's what we got in Kent. »

Although Gorton knows that his new recruit has spent his entire career as an agent, the executive vice president of hockey operations has made it clear that he views his new colleague as a hockey man first and foremost.

"I've spent a lot of time with him over the past two weeks talking about hockey and team spirit, and I like his out-of-the-ordinary way of thinking," Gorton said.

During his introductory press conference, Hughes' hockey knowledge and expertise was on full display. In one concise sentence, Hughes highlighted one of hockey's greatest flaws: focusing on the symptoms rather than the root cause of a given problem.

"I don't want us to be an organization that assesses a player saying, 'He's not performing.' I want us to understand the reasons why he is not performing. »

Video: Hughes, Gorton and Molson press conference

This is a problem that has often led to hasty decisions made on the basis of emotion and hunches, rather than relying on projections based on facts and data.

There's no doubt that Hughes' experience as an agent will go a long way in helping him build lasting relationships with players, which will translate into greater transparency and constructive conversations when an issue arises.

Additionally, his commitment to re-engineering many aspects within hockey operations will give him and Gorton the tools to make informed decisions.

"We're also going to look at the structure, the people who work here, assess the scouting department, advanced stats and development," says Hughes.

It's a tall order, especially considering that the team must also prepare for the trade deadline and the NHL Draft. But that's exactly what every team needs to do to succeed in the modern sports world.

As a CEO, it's not enough to surround yourself with smart people. You also need to have confidence in their ability to analyze relevant information and bring their expertise to bear whenever necessary.

Any workforce that doesn't have these abilities or that you don't trust is not only a waste of money, but also a waste of talent - something Hughes, an experienced businessman, wants to avoid at all costs. price.

"The more we can work together in hockey operations, the more we can get the best out of each other, in my opinion," Hughes said. I want everyone to feel part of the process, that everyone is pushing in the same direction. I think it's essential that everyone is pushing in the same direction. [I] will listen to ideas and try to create a very modern organization. »

It's a refreshing way to put it.

Every organization must continue to evolve to establish a viable approach that delivers positive results year after year.

"We're going to try to put together a winning team on the ice as soon as possible," Hughes said. But we have to do it in a way that is sustainable. We want to develop a coherent plan and we will follow the process to achieve this. »

Video: Kent Hughes answers questions from fans

The challenges will be many and he will have to find a way to navigate the troubled waters that a general manager can stumble upon. But Hughes displays the type of confidence that leads us to believe that he will consider all options available to him and use all resources at his disposal.

It remains to be seen whether the Canadiens will head for a full rebuild or a partial overhaul, but regardless of the approach management takes, Lecavalier is confident that Hughes is the man for the job.

"I think he will do a very good job," said Lecavalier. He's smart, he knows hockey and the league. Yes, there is pressure in Montreal, but there is pressure no matter where you play. You have to perform, in our industry. It's the same for players as it is for GMs. I wouldn't worry about how Kent is going to handle the pressure.

“It's what he does best. »

As he gazed in awe at the heights of the Bell Center and recalled the legends that marked his childhood, Hughes did not fail to highlight one of the most important aspects that make Montreal such a unique market. .

"It's not just about the team," he recalls. It's the passion of the fans that makes it a special place. It's one of the reasons I'm here. It is one of the most important positions in the hockey world. »

Planning for the future while respecting the past is not an easy task, especially when you have to think about today's fans.

A meticulous approach is required. It needs patience. It takes time.

Change won't happen overnight in Montreal, but given Hughes' experience, when things change, they're likely to change for the better.