MONTREAL, Thursday, – 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 20 Olympics and the 2004 IIHF World Championship.
He captured gold at the 2002 Olympics and 2004 IIHF World Championship. On , 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 19. 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 , in recognition of his dedication and commitment to the community, Pierre Boivin received an honorary
doctorate from the University of Montreal, and on 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.